Solar panels (left) are the sole source of energy for the runway lights at the 45th Operations Group, Detachment 2, at Ascension Auxiliary Airfield (AAF), South Atlantic Ocean. Ascension AAF's award winning economical self-sufficiency solutions also includes (nearby) wind turbines, drinking water production (center) and (nearby) waste water treatment. "It is exciting to see this base operate in a "green" environment day-to-day,” said Major Jay Block, commander of the detachment. “It is cost effective and at the same time, protects our environment without interfering with any of our various missions down here. Going "green" has actually helped us become more efficient providing power, and water to the air field and the base" The mission of Det. 2 is support of eastern range space launches by collecting and disseminating radar, telemetry and tracking data. Some of the many radar and communication sites can bee seen on the hilltops. Many more are positioned throughout the volcanic island. Ascension island is 35 square miles in a remote island location midway between Brazil and Angola. The nearest country is Liberia - 1000 miles away.
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Photo credit: © 508 collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: drinking, panels, solar, turbines, water, wind
