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Curl takes on new role as chief of safety

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Massey
  • 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Lt. Col. Dave Curl assumed the duties of 434th Air Refueling Wing chief of safety, here recently.

The Mexico, Ind. native, has oversight of the occupational and weapons safety program for the largest KC135R Stratotanker unit in Air Force Reserve Command.

“Safety is a critical element in accomplishing the 434th ARW mission to ‘Provide Air Refueling and Combat-Ready Forces,’” said Curl.  “If people are injured or equipment is not serviceable due to lack of attention to safety, we can’t accomplish our mission.”

Additionally, he oversees the tracking, trending and mitigation of possible hazards at Grissom.

“We do that through spot inspections, getting out into work centers and interacting with people,” he said.  “We also coordinate with local communities so everyone in the area is aware of each other’s operations and capabilities in the event of a mishap.”

The challenges of managing programs with limited manning and disseminating the safety message out to a wing with a high operations tempo are things he plans to attack head on.

“I, along with the occupational and weapons safety managers, want to develop Grissom’s safety program into a benchmark that other units can look to for direction and best practices,” he added.

Grissom's safety plan not only accelerates readiness, but also demonstrates the reserves readiness capabilities as a strategic part of the total force to external audiences.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Douglas Hays
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Josh Weaver
Public affairs operations chief

Master Sgt. Josh Weaver
NCOIC of public affairs

Master Sgt. Rachel Barton
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Alexis Morris
Staff writer

Airman 1st Class Elise Faurote
Staff writer