Critical days warrant safety focus

Published May 23, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- As the heat rolls in, even a little fun in the sun can quickly turn dangerous.

For that reason, the Air Force is starting its 2013 Critical Days of Summer campaign today.

"This is a program put together by the Air Force to teach people about safety and try to prevent mishaps or fatalities," said Johnny Armes, 434th Air Refueling Wing ground safety manager. "We want to make not only their lives safer, but the lives of their coworkers, dependants and spouses safer."

The CDS campaign will go from now until Sept. 3, and this year's theme is "Safe-n-Sound, All Year Round."

That theme was cemented with in a memorandum from Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force; Gen. Mark Welsh III, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; and Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

"Taking care of yourself and your wingmen this summer will help ensure that our entire Air Force team can perform our mission wherever and whenever the Nation calls," the Air Force leaders wrote. "As you participate in summer activities with your family and friends, don let your story end with an unsafe choice."

The campaign will use the military structure to help train Airmen on how to be safe and watch out for their fellow wingmen, which is something Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense, said was vital to ensuring a safe summer.

"Each of us must do our part to keep everyone around us safe off duty, as we do on duty," Hagel said in a message to all Department of Defense personnel. "Fundamental military lessons of working together, exercising leadership, focusing on the mission, and having the courage to say no to a risky situation are all essential to enjoying the summer and returning to your units."

During the 14-week campaign, Grissom's safety office, like safety offices throughout the Air Force, will focus on a variety of summer safety issues such as motor vehicles, alcohol, heat, inclement weather, fireworks, water, exercise and sports.

Armes said it's no surprise that summer can be hazardous as people venture out to have fun, but often forget their limits or neglect common sense.

"After being cooped up for the winter it's time to get out and play, get on the road and enjoy your time off, but we all forget that we're not immune to bad things happening," he continued. "Don't forget we're all human, accidents occur, and it can happen to any one of us, no matter who we are."

While the safety office will provide specifics on each topic every week, Armes said there is an overarching theme on how to remain safe.

"Focus on the common sense part of it, and use risk management throughout the day," he said. "If you use your risk management skills and wingman skills, it will automatically pull you back to being safe and doing the right things."

And, that wingman concept is key to summer safety.

"Don't go out and be alone," explained Armes. "The whole point of having a wingman is to prevent things from going wrong, and if they do go wrong, you have somebody who has your back who can help you out of it."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Critical days warrant safety focus

Critical days warrant safety focus

Public Affairs Staff