Militarys Green Revolution

Now that fuel consumption and keeping the environment clean has become such an issue, the military has taken it upon themselves to do their part. The Navy is taking the lead on this mission by coming up with what they call the "Great Green Fleet". It was established in 2009 by the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus where he announced five aggressive energy goals to reduce the consumption of energy and reliance on foreign fuels. One of these goals is to launch a Carrier Strike Group fueled by alternative sources of energy. This is paired with a three year $510 million energy reform effort with the departments of Agriculture and Energy as part of a larger push to change the way the US Military flies, sails, marches, and thinks.

In order to create this environment friendly transportation the Navy is using a 50-50 blend of bio-fuel and standard JP-5 shipboard aviation fuel for their planes. The ships and Aircraft in the Great Green Fleet are powered by this alternative fuel, either nuclear or advanced bio-fuel blends. The bio-fuel blend is made from used cooking oil and algae as well as petroleum based marine diesel, giving them the name 50-50 blend.

 The Navy's Green Fleet plans their debut at the 2012 RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) Exercise, utilizing 40 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and involving 25,00 personnel. Many fleets in attendance are here sharpening their focus to use alternative fuels. Some of the United States participants in the Fleet are; USS NIMITZ, Carrier Wing 11, USS CHAFEE, USS CHUNG HOON, USS PRINCETON, and USNS HENRY J KAISER.

During this demonstration the Navy also showed off some different maritime efficiency measures. The first was that of Solid State Lighting which uses light emitting diode (LED's) to save energy and allow lights to last longer. the Gas Turbine On-Line Water Wash allows compressors to be washed while the engine is still running instead of having to turn the engines completely off. It reduces maintenance and reduces fuel consumption. The Navy is grooming a new generation of "Energy Warriors" by incentivizing this move towards a cleaner mobile force.