The US Department of Defense will invest $US90 million to stockpile HFCs to support military operations worldwide.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) which has its own Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Programme Office will manage the HFC inventory.
The DLA's ODS Program Office, which has four full-time employees and a dedicated contractor at DLA Aviation, will add two new staff to its team.
According to ODS programme manager, Brian M. Howard, the investment is in response to the American Innovation & Manufacturing Act, which regulates the production and consumption levels of HFCs. The AIM Act aims to reduce the environmental impact of HFCs, which have a high global warming potential.
Howard praised his team, consisting of retired military personnel and a former law enforcement officer, for their dedication and commitment to supporting the warfighter.
"I could not ask for a stronger, more dedicated group of people to work with," he said. "We all understand what it is like being on the front lines, and that drives all of us to do whatever is required to see that the Warfighter's needs are met."
The HFC storage facility will be established in phases, with the initial phase utilising a vacant DLA Distribution facility in Richmond.
The DLA will continue to supply HFCs to its military customers through the Industrial Gas Programme, but the new repository will provide a secure and reliable source of HFCs for future needs.
HFCs are used in various military applications, including air conditioning systems, refrigeration, and fire suppression.
The military services and government agencies rely on these systems to maintain operational readiness and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
The DLA's ODS Program Office also manages the Ozone Depleting Substances Reserve, which includes finite inventory of ODS that are no longer produced or imported.
The ODS are used in similar applications as HFCs, including air conditioning systems, refrigeration, fire suppression, and precision cleaning.
The ODS Programme Office ensures that excess or used ODS are returned and reclaimed to specifications, making them available for issue again.
The storage facilities for both HFCs and ODS are secure and protected by the DLA Police force. The ODS Programme's dedicated support contractor conducts regular visual and electronic leak detection to ensure the safe handling and storage of these gases.
As the military services and government agencies transition to alternative technologies, the DLA's ODS Programme Office will play a critical role in managing the phase-out of ODS and the introduction of new, more environmentally friendly substances.