WIESBADEN, Germany -- More than 100 representatives from the United States and countries throughout Europe attended a NATO Net Zero forum held at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, April 25-29.
Out of 80 some presentations delivered during the event, 10 were briefed from specialists assigned to Directorates of Public Works at garrisons Ansbach, Bavaria, Italy and Wiesbaden.
Officially called the Advanced Net Zero Energy, Water and Waste Training Course, the week-long session focused on many topics commonly discussed within civilian communities, such as "smart energy supply" and "environmental awareness"; however, with fuel and water considered a necessity alongside ammunition on the battlefield, talk also centered around the impact of sustainability on the warfighter.
Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, explained to attendees from NATO nations and other partner countries that reducing energy and water usage can save lives, especially at isolated sites where supplies are often trucked or flown in under dangerous conditions.
She recalled how Net Zero supported an isolated outpost in Afghanistan by reducing the need for aerial resupply missions from one every three days to one every 10 days. Previously, Soldiers rushed from their secure locations at least twice a week to gather airdropped food, water and gear, putting all at risk and taking them away from their primary jobs. By tripling the time between resupply runs, Hammack said Soldiers remain focused on their critical mission.
Two weeks prior to participating in the NATO and Army-sponsored forum here, Hammack addressed the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, where she noted: "It is operationally necessary…that the Army have assured access to the energy required to achieve our primary objectives. The Army has led the way toward…harnessing new energy technologies to lessen Soldier battery loads, and improving our operational capabilities to reduce the need for fuel convoys."
And while speaking in Wiesbaden, Hammack also connected efficient installations with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley's number one priority of readiness, telling forum participants that Army installations should be sized and resourced to meet global missions.
As part of her Net Zero presentation and visits to Installation Management Command-Europe garrisons and Army forward sites supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve, Hammack said she saw "firsthand the challenges and successes of European Infrastructure Consolidation operations and Expeditionary Base Operations Support provided to eastern Europe military contingency bases."
"We are making great progress in reducing our footprint in Europe," she said, "while retaining the ability to surge when, and if, necessary."
The assistant secretary also thanked Michael Formica, director of IMCOM-Europe, and Bob Henderson, the region's director of G5, "for their insight and wisdom."
(Additional information provided by U.S. Army News Service)
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