Resiliency, Sustainability
& SMART technologies

Tyndall Air Force Base’s (AFB’s) resiliency to multiple natural and manmade threats is framed in the U.S. Air Force’s doctrine known as the “5 Rs” of Resiliency. The five defining elements of resiliency are Robustness, Redundancy, Resourcefulness, Response, and Recovery. This doctrine requires new thinking when it comes to applying these principles to everything Tyndall AFB undertakes—especially the investment in its future. This doctrine is applicable to base operations, mission execution, interaction with the local and regional communities, and protection of people and property. The 5 Rs of Resiliency also encompass facility standards, including its energy, utility, communications, and facility structural systems, as well as wind loading requirements, the base master plan and the more specific area development and facility site plans, the design flood elevation, construction methods and materials, and the base’s respect for the natural environment and the power of nature.

The 5Rs help us define the performance expectations of Tyndall AFB to withstand, respond to, and recover from threats. As such, the 5 R performance metrics can be useful tools for the base’s leaders, planners, designers, constructors, and operators.

The desired infrastructure and building performance metrics should be continuously informed and developed as a function of Tyndall AFB’s asset management; they should be further informed by its Mission Dependency Index.

Tyndall AFB’s Installation of the Future will be designed, constructed, and operated with sustainable features as unifying priorities for all horizontal and vertical efforts. Tyndall AFB projects will incorporate criteria from a variety of proven strategies, including best practices from private sector and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) agencies, as well as framework from third-party rating systems that specifically address aspects of Tyndall AFB’s natural coastal context, infrastructure, energy and water systems, and buildings, and include aspects of occupant and community experiences.

The advanced principles and practices incorporated within this performance standard are appropriate to Tyndall AFB’s geographic context and applications, as well as mission assurance and overall sustainability objectives to aggressively ensure operational stability and healthy, successful work, home, and recreational environments. Criteria have been adapted for suitability to renovation projects as well as to new construction projects, with smart technology as a prioritized focus for applicable systems and controls.

These Performance Standards provide an array of new sustainability criteria for all project types. Application of the criteria is scalable as appropriate to match building types as related to mission criticality and functionality during and after a major climate-related event. The criteria incorporate sustainability principles and practices that align and integrate the built environment with supporting ecological systems or “natural infrastructure.” This integrative approach is essential as noted in Report on Effects of a Changing Climate to the Department of Defense:

The Department considers resilience in the installation planning and basing processes to include impacts on built and natural infrastructure. This includes consideration of environmental vulnerabilities in installation master planning, management of natural resources, design and construction standards, utility systems/service, and emergency management operations.

To this end, the Tyndall AFB Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) serves as a companion guide to the Installation of the Future Design Guide. The INRMP provides the ecological intelligence and base-wide performance metrics that can guide planning and design decisions to align with the strategic natural resources management goals of ensuring continued access to the land and airspace required for mission readiness while sustaining ecological integrity.

The INRMP uses the principles of ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation as the management framework to preserve and enhance Tyndall AFB’s ecosystem integrity.