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Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to soldiers before the Operational Energy 10K Awareness Run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change.

Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to soldiers before the Operational Energy 10K Awareness Run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change. (Christopher Prows/U.S. Army)

Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to soldiers before the Operational Energy 10K Awareness Run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change.

Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to soldiers before the Operational Energy 10K Awareness Run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change. (Christopher Prows/U.S. Army)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, places specialist rank on Spc. Ray Lasoya, 82nd Engineer Battalion, during a promotion ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, places specialist rank on Spc. Ray Lasoya, 82nd Engineer Battalion, during a promotion ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change. (Christopher Prows/U.S. Army)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, and 1st Lt. Alison Altz, a platoon leader with Company B, 82nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, talk about the TALON Robot and the Buffalo armored vehicle at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, and 1st Lt. Alison Altz, a platoon leader with Company B, 82nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, talk about the TALON Robot and the Buffalo armored vehicle at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 27, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change. ( Peter Mrvos/U.S. Army)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California, speaks with soldiers stationed at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, about green energy, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California, speaks with soldiers stationed at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, about green energy, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change. (Youtoy Martin/U.S. Army)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, observes the Oath of Enlistment ceremony of Spc. James Berg, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Company B, 299th Brigade Support Battalion, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 28, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, observes the Oath of Enlistment ceremony of Spc. James Berg, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Company B, 299th Brigade Support Battalion, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 28, 2016. Schwarzenegger was in Kuwait to film a National Geographic documentary, "Years of Living Dangerously," focused on climate change. (Christopher Prows/U.S. Army)

A television project on climate change brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to two of the hottest U.S. military posts on earth, where the Terminator took some time out for the troops.

“I think it is really unbelievable and so fantastic that the military is now thinking about making some of the bases green,” Schwarzenegger told troops during a two-day tour of bases in Kuwait. “But while I am filming, I also want to visit the troops. I want to say hi to them, I want to tell them, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you’ for the great work they’re doing protecting our country.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, the film star and former California governor visited Camp Buehring, a key staging area for U.S. troops in Kuwait, and U.S. Army Central’s Camp Arifjan.

Green energy efforts at the bases will be part of an episode of “Years of Living Dangerously,” a National Geographic television series and Internet project focused on climate change.

Schwarzenegger is an executive producer of the series, along with “Titanic” director James Cameron. Movie stars such as Matt Damon and Jessica Alba also are part of the project, which explores different aspects of climate change.

During the film shoot in Kuwait, U.S. Army Central showcased a range of efforts to become more energy efficient in the Persian Gulf monarchy, where the blistering heat means heavy air-conditioning usage.

“The USARCENT operational energy program showcased initiatives to conserve energy and resources, including installing solar power light towers, implementing solar panels and modular energy efficient structures”, said Col. Wayne Marotto, U.S. Army Central spokesman, in a statement.

During his tour, Schwarzenegger spoke with officers and noncommissioned officers about leadership development, drawing on his experience as governor of California.

The film star also took part in one soldier’s re-enlistment ceremony.

“I re-enlisted for two more years of active-duty service, and he was a part of the ceremony,” said Spc. James Berg, a mechanic with 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in an Army statement. “He helped hold the flag and congratulated me on making the choice to further serve my country.”

Besides lauding troops, Schwarzenegger gave high marks to the chow halls.

“We’re having a great time, I am trying out all of the different vehicles, driving around in these monster trucks, and having some food, delicious food by the way, on the base,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

vandiver.john@stripes.com

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John covers U.S. military activities across Europe and Africa. Based in Stuttgart, Germany, he previously worked for newspapers in New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware.

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