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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Team Niagara works to save taxpayers money

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  For their efforts to save the Air Force money, Team Niagara earned several awards at the Airlift Tanker Association Convention in Nashville, November 5 and 6.

"The U.S. Air Force is the largest user of fossil fuels in the Department of Defense," said 914th Airlift Wing Vice Commander Col. Bret Larsen. "Because these resources have become more scarce and expensive, it is in the best interest of our nation to conserve them as much as possible."

While many units experimented with bio-fuels, Niagara's 914th and 107th Airlift Wings correctly utilized technology married up with environmental conditions for reducing their need for fuel.

Some fuel-saving techniques used included reducing the use of the auxiliary power units in the aircrafts and carrying only necessary extra fuel. The Airmen also started flight planning more efficiently, which includes developing a more direct route or using the weather and the winds to the advantage of the aircraft.

"It really shows the teamwork between the pilots and the navigators to flight-plan efficient routes," said 914th Operations Group Commander Col. Paul Sprenkle. "The awards really speak to our guys doing things the right way and the smart way, not cutting corners and being lean."

For these cost saving efforts, the 914th and 107th Airlift Wings were recognized for the best Sortie Reporting Rate. The second award was for the Best Overall C-130 Unit, given to the 328th Airlift Squadron.

One of Niagara's former officers who oversaw the program gave kudos to the unit for their efforts to save fuel and money.

22nd Air Force Detachment 1 Operations Commander Lt. Col. Joe Janik stated that Niagara's aircrews just did what they were supposed to, and it paid off for the 914th and 107th as well as the Air Force.

Although the experienced aircrews are learning how to do more with less fuel, Janik stated that having a frugal mindset is being implemented at the beginning levels of the aircrew hierarchy: the up and coming aircrews under his command at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

"The flight instructors speak with the students about fuel efficiency procedures and techniques as well as stress the importance of saving the Air Force money," said Janik.

The Air Force saw the "big picture" and realized they had to do something to save money," said Sprenkle "Any time you can see that bigger picture, it helps you see what you're doing is important-It's not just important to Niagara, but it's important to everyone..."