AMCOM's award winning cradle-to-grave sustainment approach reduces pollution

By James LawApril 20, 2010

G-4 E-Team has single focus
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Blackhawk UH-60 shown in flight. The G-4 E-Team's single focus is to ensure that U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command systems and equipment are manufactured, maintained and repaired in the safest and most environmentally sound manner possible. Th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Non-hexavalent chromium coating system
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An OH-58D is being serviced at Fort Hood Texas. The G-4 E-Team successfully tested, evaluated and gained approval for transition to a non-hexavalent chromium coating system for Army aviation systems and equipment. Team members coordinated with the Ge... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pollution controls are incorporated into lifecycle assessments
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – This Blackhawk UH-60 is being overhauled in Hangar 43 Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus Christi, Texas. Note the High-Efficiency Particulate Air Vacuum to the left side of the fuselage used to control airborne contaminates. Pollution factors such as ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems recertification
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Recertification of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems is completed at the Letterkenny Munitions Center, located at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg Pa. The missiles are downloaded from their containers, disassembled and electronic testing is... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Recertification of Army Tactical Missile System
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The G-4 E-Team completes the recertification of Army Tactical Missile System. The G-4 E-Team is responsible for and influences all ESOH facets of Army aviation and missile acquisition, sustainment and disposal. The G-4 E-Team has significantly reduce... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Tactical Missile Systems recertification
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The G-4 E-Team completes the recertification of Army Tactical Missile Systems at the Letterkenny Munitions Center. The G-4 E-Team reviews aviation and missile technical maintenance documentation to identify requirements for the use of Ozone-Depleting... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- A logistics environmental team with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., won the FY 2009 Secretary of the Army award for environmental excellence in weapon system acquisition.

The AMCOM G-4 Environmental Team provided support to more than 30 weapon system product managers and was critically involved in more than 20 Army System Acquisition Review Council reviews.

For the last two years, the G-4 E-Team was a single focal point for the AMCOM to address environment, safety and occupational health issues in aviation and missile programs, providing acquisition and engineering sustainment guidance and expertise to multiple stakeholders. Part of the team's mission is to serve as AMCOM's point of contact and subject matter expert for weapon system environmental support throughout the entire acquisition life cycle, from early development and fielding until ultimate disposal. The G-4 E-Team functions as an element of the program executive office's or project manager's staff and provides technical assistance and system documentation reviews to identify the environmental requirements and issues for aspects of weapon system acquisition in the U.S. and abroad.

Pollution factors such as effluents, emissions, discharges and noise were incorporated within life cycle, programmatic or site-specific environmental assessments performed by the G-4 E-Team. They applied a "cradle-to-grave" approach in their assessments, considering not only sustainment but also, ultimately, demilitarization and disposal. This sustainment approach led to significant pollution prevention and hazardous material reduction throughout the Army, including:

Aca,!Ac Requiring standard statement of work language in more than 150 Army contracts to ensure hazardous materials and suitable replacement materials, either in end-items or utilized in the manufacturing process, would be identified

Aca,!Ac Facilitating successful testing, evaluation and approval for transition to a non-hexavalent chromium coating system for Army aviation systems and equipment

Aca,!Ac Identifying opportunities including the use of laser and FlashJettm paint stripping, new media blast technologies, high-pressure water jet power washers, new rivet removal tools, vacuum assisted shrouded tooling and centralized, work cell-mounted vacuum systems

Aca,!Ac Initiating a test program to evaluate hexavalent chromium-free coating systems for missile system primers and pretreatments

Aca,!Ac Coordinating a field demonstration of cadmium plating alternatives on high-strength steel fasteners

Members of the award-winning G-4 E-Team include team chief Dr. David Branham; Mr. Ronald Hagler, Environmental Division chief; Ms. Sandy Olinger, Acquisition and Compliance Team lead; Mr. Kerry Blankenship, Acquisition and Compliance Team engineer; Mr. Glenn Williams, Technology Integration Team lead, Ms. Kim Granger, Technology Integration Team lead and Mr. Frank Showalter, contract lead.

"The team's single focus has been to ensure AMCOM systems and equipment are manufactured, maintained and repaired in the safest and most environmentally sound manner. This approach increased system affordability and maintainability and improves Warfighter readiness," said Dr. Branham.

An independent panel of judges made up of professionals from federal, state and Army organizations recommended AMCOM for the award. The Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards represent the highest honor in the field of environmental science and sustainability conferred by the Army.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for the Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Tad Davis recognized AMCOM and the winners of the other eight categories as the best examples of how environmental stewardship and sustainability play a crucial role in the Army's mission readiness.

"The Army recognizes successes that demonstrate mission-driven solutions that protect the environment at installations here and overseas. Whatever we do needs to revolve around supporting the mission, taking care of our Soldiers, civilians, and Families," said Davis. "In simplistic terms the Army, our Army, your Army - is building green, buying green and going green. These winning environmental programs make the Army sustainable thereby impacting generations to come."

For details about the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award recipients, visit the U.S. Army Environmental Command's Web site at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/awards00.html.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Environmental Command