F-16 Go Green, Use Bio-fuel

The F-16 Fight Falcon is currently undergoing a field service evaluation of biofuel thanks to a joint effort from airmen from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing. In 2011, the Defense Department $8 billion on fuel allowing Air Force officials to work toward making the fleet a little "greener" by researching, testing and ultimately implementing the use of alternative fuels. The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft have been certified to use biofuel for unrestricted operations and two F-16s from the 180th FW fleet have been designated to test the 50/50 blend of Jet Propellant-8 petroleum and Hydroprocessed Renewable Jet fuel derived from the camelina plant, a weed that grows throughout the United States and requires very little horticulture. "It's part of the Air Force's strategic goals to be able to reduce energy across the Air Force, so we really embrace that," said Col. Steve Nordhaus, the 180th FW commander. "We're trying to do everything we can to reduce energy costs because we know that every dollar we save there, we can use to buy more aircraft that protect our country or help support Airmen who are out there doing critical missions that affect our homeland defense." The jets have been flying with the blend since mid-December and will continue until the test sample is depleted. By 2016, the Air Force hopes to have half of the fuel that is purchased domestically to be at least a 50/50 blend of conventional and alternative fuel.