1st SOCES receives two AF level environmental awards

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  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron recently won the Air Force General Thomas D. White National Environmental Policy Act Award and the General Thomas D. White Sustainability Award for 2009-2010 fiscal years.

The National Environmental Policy Act Team distinguished itself for the planning and implementation of new environmental technologies that improved overall productivity and increased protection.

"This was a combination of our ability to apply new information technologies such as electronic processing programs for reviewing environmental impacts and implementation of test programs Air Force wide," said Amy Tharp, 1st SOCES physical scientist in charge of the environmental program's impact analysis and storm water management. "The folks working in the environmental program were green before green was in."

A wide array of green projects also helped the 1st SOCES Sustainability Team get the Air Force award.

The team accomplished substituting current materials with more efficient and environmentally friendly ones, eliminating waste, and successfully implementing several recycling programs in 2010.

The team also contributed to green procurement and provided vigorous training programs for all Hurlburt Field newcomers on environmental issues.

Philip Pruitt, 1st SOCES Asset Management Flight chief, highlighted the role that environmental awareness plays in energy conservation programs.

"Education is key," Mr. Pruitt said. "Raising awareness and getting everybody on board to conserve energy is very important."

The General Thomas D. White Environmental Awards are designed to recognize the efforts of installations and individuals for environmental quality, restoration, pollution prevention, recycling and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

The National Environmental Policy Act Team and the Sustainability Team will now be considered for Department of Defense-level awards.