DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Deputy Secretary of Energy Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for the first time to gain firsthand knowledge about the various missions operations, priorities, capabilities, March 9.
The officials also visited the base to discuss D-M’s significant contributions to efficient energy use.
James and Sherwood-Randall visited D-M’s solar array which is made up of 57,000 solar panels and provides for 38 percent of the base’s electricity requirements. The solar array reduces base utility costs and offsets traditional energy consumption by using renewable energy.
“This is an example for our military and for the entire nation, of the important ways we are transferring to clean energy resources to make us less dependent on foreign energy supply, and enables us to hit our climate goals so we can keep our planet safe,” said Sherwood-Randall.
Later, James conducted an Airmen all-call that provided a face-to-face meeting between her and the Desert Lightning Team Airmen. James also recognized the local community surrounding D-M, saying the Department of Defense is fortunate to have a community that supports it’s Airmen.
She went on to emphasize her three main priorities: taking care of people, balancing the readiness of today with modernization of tomorrow, and making every dollar count.
James also discussed the Airman Powered by Innovation program, which is designed to take an idea from one location and spread it across the Air Force, saving money or an Airmen’s time.
“Airmen Powered by Innovation is where we take it out to the whole Air Force and say ‘Bring us your ideas.’ You see different ways of doing your jobs, to either save time or money,” said James.
James highlighted Tech. Sgt. Michael Weis, 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, who submitted a change to the A-10 Thunderbolt II guidance that saves money and prevents maintainers from unintentionally damaging aircraft components for A-10 squadrons across active duty, Guard and Reserve units.
To conclude the visit, James thanked the Airmen for their service and answered questions they had concerning the U.S. Air Force.