Hybrid car drives green initiatives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Veronica McMahon
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The first hybrid vehicle in Air Education and Training Command was assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing commander May 8 at Tyndall.

Brig. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 325 FW commander, received his new 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid at the base transportation building.

"Upgrading the 325th Fighter Wing command vehicle to a hybrid car shows the effort the wing and the Air Force are making to battle environmental inefficiencies," said General Roberson. "We take pride in the fact Team Tyndall remains on the front lines of this effort. The positive effects of every green advancement we implement demonstrate we care about America's tax dollars and the environment."

The new 'go green' ride has many environmental-friendly features such as an auto-stop mode engine, regenerative braking and a 36-volt hybrid battery pack which provides power during auto stop and acceleration assist. There is also a tire pressure monitoring system which alerts drivers to adjust tire pressure for increased fuel economy and a traction control system and stability control system for enhanced operational safety under extreme driving conditions.

The vehicle, provided by the General Service Administration, arrived at Tyndall more than a week ago wearing a solid shade of dark blue which was changed shortly after. Due to combined efforts by the Team Tyndall transportation employees, the top half of the vehicle was painted white within a day; this is a signature of the commander's vehicle.

Vehicles are switched out every three to four years and this was the rotation time for the wing commander.

"The advantage is we are beginning to 'green the fleet,'" said Howard Funkhouser, 325 Logistics Readiness Division Transportation Supply division manager. "This also means a tremendous savings on fuel consumption for the vehicle."

All group commanders will also receive hybrid vehicles as their vehicle rotation cycles come around.