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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 11, 2007

Environmental Flight receives AETC award

By David DeKunder Wingspread staff writer

Team Randolph's 12th Civil Engineer Division Environmental Flight has been recognized for its efforts in making the base more environmentally friendly. 

The Air Education and Training Command recently awarded Randolph with the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Quality Award. In receiving the award, Team Randolph beat out 12 other AETC bases. 

Robin Armhold, Environmental Flight chief, said the award is not just for what the Environmental Flight has accomplished, but for what the base community and personnel have done to make Randolph one of the best-looking and eco-friendly bases in the Air Force. 

"The award is recognition for what we do every day to make the base better environmentally," she said. "There are a lot of people who contributed. We could not have received this award without the support of active-duty and civilian personnel as well as leadership. Environmental quality is everybody's business." 

Matt Kramm, Environmental Flight Natural Resources manager, said AETC based the award on what Team Randolph did in several areas of concentration. 

"The award recognizes the most outstanding environmental programs in the AETC concerning restoration, recycling, water and air, natural resources and hazardous materials," Mr. Kramm said. 

Mr. Kramm said Environmental Flight was also recognized for how it raised environmental awareness on base. The flight was commended for the way it handeled the cleanup of a T-38 crash that occurred earlier this year on property 50 miles from Randolph. 

The Environ-mental Quality Award cited the flight for its recycling program, which increased the amount of materials recycled on base by 10 percent in fiscal year 2006 and 15 percent in fiscal year 2007. The flight was also lauded for developing a storm water pollution prevention plan that saved the Air Force over $80,000 and the reuse, recycling and reclaiming of 8,000 tons of base equipment, including computers and 
furniture. 

"Our biggest goal is to encourage recycling and the reduction of hazardous materials on base," Mr. Kramm said. "We do that by hosting environmental training and fostering awareness within the people on base." 

Mr. Kramm said it is the first time in five or six years that Team Randolph has been recognized by the AETC for its environmental efforts. 

By winning the AETC award, Team Randolph's Environmental Flight has a chance to be honored as the best in the Air Force. 

"We will be entered in an Air Force-wide competition," Ms. Armhold said. "If we win the Air Force award we will go to the Department of Defense competition and be recognized at a ceremony at the Pentagon. To be recognized at that level is quite prestigious." 

When it comes to caring for its base and its people, Team Randolph's Environmental Flight has proven that being green can be very rewarding.