For the seventh consecutive year, the F/A-18 & EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265)’s Green Hornet team was selected as the 2013 winner of the Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award to be presented at a ceremony in May.
In the category of “Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition, Large Program, Individual or Team,” the Green Hornet team is cited for its efforts in developing successful environmental protection and awareness initiatives, to include continued development of biofuel, noise reduction efforts and hazardous materials management and pollution prevention.
Comprised of government and industry partner experts, the team manages the environment, safety and occupational health (ESOH) program for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler and their associated subsystems for PMA-265. The team’s mission is to ensure environmental excellence in systems acquisition by incorporating ESOH compliance during the design and systems engineering process.
The F/A-18 and EA-18G program office estimates that its carbon footprint will be reduced with all of the energy initiatives. “It’s always gratifying to see your efforts appreciated and your team excel,” Rudy said. “The real satisfaction comes from knowing that you are working on a program that, in a small way, makes a real difference to our customer, the fleet, and most importantly the Sailors on our ships.”
On Earth Day 2010, the Super Hornet became the first Navy aircraft to demonstrate alternative fuel capability using a 50/50 blend of camelina biofuel and the Navy’s primary jet fuel, jet propellant (JP)-5. Biofuel is one of several environmental projects managed by the NAVAIR Propulsion and Power team and supported by the Green Hornet team under the leadership of Mike Rudy, F/A-18 & EA-18G ESOH manager and Green Hornet team lead.
Four years later, as Earth Day 2014 approaches, much progress has been made in the development of biofuels. Recent initiatives in energy efficiency and alternative fuels continue to be promoted by the Green Hornet team, PMA-265 and NAVAIR Fuels Branch.
Last year, a revised JP-5 specification was reissued, approvin
