Barksdale lean and green in 2014

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale's environmental policy is one of the base's highest priorities, and is dedicated to the continual improvement of base processes to prevent and reduce waste generation.

Barksdale's Environmental Management System, hazardous materials storage areas are inspected and checked for compliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards.

"All of our hazardous [waste] material is kept in 55-gallon drums and is stored in two different areas," said Staff Sgt. Arthur Winship, 2nd Munitions Squadron armament flight support team member. "We have to contain our hazardous waste according to [EPA] laws and regulations,"

Since proper storage and disposal of hazardous materials are important to safeguard the environment, the HAZMAT storage areas are checked quarterly for EPA and Air Force Instruction compliance.

Winship was recently awarded an outstanding performer award for his Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment Management Program inspection results.

Despite his excellence, Winship is just one piece of the environmental puzzle for Barksdale.

"We want folks around the base understand the importance of being good environmental stewards, and not only to get the mission done, but also to do it in an environmentally friendly way," said Bill Lee, 2nd Civil Engineering Squadron EMS coordinator and HAZMAT waste manager. "The bottom line is through all of our goals, we're looking to continually improve, minimize the [negative] impact to the environment, continually improve and ensure that we meet requirements and that we are being the best we can be."

According to the EMS policy statement, all units are to promote conservation and sustainable use of natural and manmade materials, prevent environmental pollution, achieve continual improvements in environmental performance and maintain compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.

Without the EMS, there would be consequences if Airmen were not conscious of the environment and fail environmental and safety inspections.

"If we had violations, there could be fines or they could shut us down and we'd lose face with the community," Lee said. "We do a lot of things that affect their water and air, so it's important that we are good environmental stewards."