Ramstein Environmental Policy

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde
  • 86th Airliftt Wing Commander
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  A critical component of the 86th Airlift Wing mission is to operate the Air Force's premier installation to enable and assure strategic capabilities. It is important to recognize that failure to properly protect and maintain the environment in which we operate negatively influences our mission effectiveness. Therefore, together we must commit to protect the environment and the health of our people and surrounding communities while executing our vital missions.

In order to ensure we continually strive for improvement in our operations and performance with the purpose to protect, manage and enhance our natural infrastructure assets, we have developed our Environmental Management System (EMS) program.

Think of EMS as Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO-21) with an environmental emphasis. Senior leaders define the overall strategy and goals, but improvement is everyone's responsibility. Each of us must daily search for ways to improve our processes which impact our environment. To achieve this strategy we all must:

a. Maintain an effective Environmental Management System in order to track accomplishments as well as provide regular performance reviews and assessments for our goals and targets.

b. Commit to comply with applicable legal and other requirements (including the Final Governing Standards for Germany).

c. Implement and maintain feasible, economically justified options to improve energy, water and resource efficiency in our operations and facilities and to increase the usage of renewable energy.

d. Increase and apply opportunities to prevent pollution, reduce emissions, decrease hazardous materials usage and decrease generation of all types of waste.

e. Research, develop and implement technical and operational options to reduce aircraft de-icing fluid usage and to create a failsafe de-icing fluid disposal system.

f. Ensure our acquisitions support sustainable operations from the beginning to the end of their life cycle.

g. Provide training to increase knowledge about our Environmental Management System and sustainability programs.

h. Effectively communicate and enforce this environmental policy.

Accomplishing our mission safely and effectively is a top priority with the 86th Airlift Wing. An effective Environmental Management System program is a key part of our overall strategy for making this priority a reality. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the 86th CES Asset Management Flight team at DSN 480-7712