Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' visiondream of a more fuel-efficient force will marks a major milestone in January when the service deploys its so-called first carrier strike group as part of the Great Green Fleet.
A to-be-announced carrier strike group will set sail powered by a mix of biofuels and fossil fuels, to showcase the Navy's goal to cut The Navy Department initiative aims to cut use of fossil fuels to power ships and aircraft, cutting petroleum use by 2020, a spokesman for the Mabus said. In 2016, a carrier strike group will deploy fueled with a mix of bio- and fossil fuels, according to a Navy Secretary spokesman.
"This carrier strike group will operate the same as any other deployed strike group and provide the flexible naval force that can operate in confined waters or open ocean, during day and night, around the world," Lt. Eric Durie told Navy Times.
The carrier John C. Stennis is expected to helm the Great Green Great flotilla when it deploys early next year from BremertonSan Diego. name of the carrier strike group is not being released yet, Durie said. However, the San Diego-based carrier John C. Stennis is scheduled for a deployment early next year.
In addition to working on a mix of biofuel for powering ships — Durie could not provide the percentage — the Navy has worked to upgrade infrastructure afloat and ashore to save energy.
Earlier this year, Navy Installations Command announced it would replace fluorescent light bulbs in offices, gyms, streetlights and parking lots with LEDs.
That move adds to savings from shipboard LEDs, which began rolling out in 2007.
Staff writer Sam Fellman contributed to this report.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
