AFNORTH commander's wheels 'go green' Published Dec. 23, 2008 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Although the Air Force is better known for all things blue, today Air Forces Northern's commander is 'going green.' Keys to a new 2009 Chevy Malibu were handed to Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, who immediately got behind the wheel to 'test drive' his new ride. The vehicle, a hybrid 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder sedan is expected to increase the general's miles per gallon from 16 mpg to 29 mpg. According to General Motors, the maker of the Malibu, the hybrid vehicle features a unique electric motor and sophisticated controls that deliver increased fuel efficiency due in part to the engine's ability to shut off during stops and cut off fuel during deceleration. "The Air Force is constantly looking for ways to be good stewards to the environment, protect our resources and save money," said Col. Kurt Sonderman, AFNORTH's Logistics director. "Obtaining a hybrid vehicle for the commander demonstrates our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint while changing the environmental culture within our organization." AFNORTH will lease the vehicle for a 3-year period at a cost of $20,960. Although the upfront cost of the vehicle is more than past vehicle leases, the cost savings comes in the form of projected fuel consumption - the Malibu is projected to consume 11.8 barrels of petroleum products per year, where the previous vehicle consumed 21.4 barrels of petroleum products annually. "The idea behind acquiring a hybrid vehicle is simple - we need to reduce our consumption of scarce and expensive resources, especially in these tough economic times," said General Morrow. "The initial cost savings may seem low, but when you add those small percentages up and multiply that by the number of vehicles the Air Force currently operates, you're talking significant amount of dollars saved." The Department of Defense has made significant strides on protecting valuable natural resources, and AFNORTH will continue to make improvements to its infrastructure and materiel to ensure a cleaner, greener environment. Depending on future requirements, AFNORTH plans to lease vehicles with the fewest ecological impacts and greatest economical efficiency while maintaining the ability to carry out its intended mission, which may include hybrid and/or other alternative fuel vehicles.