Dover Airmen support Air Force operational safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zoe M. Wockenfuss
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Team Dover held an Air Force directed operational safety review day to help identify hazards that may lead to future mishaps May 18, 2018.

“Safety days provide an opportunity to develop and/or expand an organization and individual’s collaborative mindset on the broader concept of safety culture,” said Tech. Sgt. Randie Page, 436th Aerial Port Squadron unit safety representative.

After the Air Force experienced several serious and fatal mishaps within the last few months, Air Force leaders determined an operational safety review was appropriate to enable wings to assess and discuss flying and maintenance operations and address potential risk factors that could lead to future mishaps. An operational safety review day gives leaders the opportunity to have focused discussions and engagement with their Airmen to ensure the mission is conducted safely.

To meet the Air Force directive, members of the 436th Airlift Wing Safety office led multiple breakout sessions within each maintenance and operations squadron, held an all call and hosted a panel discussion.

“Excellent discussions, tangible feedback and third party observations provided more than enough material to answer [Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein’s] request to identify ‘gaps and seams’ in our operations,” said Master Sgt. David Grant, 436th Airlift Wing Safety superintendent.

According to Air Force guidance, the Air Force has a robust safety program, and over the past ten years, Class A aviation mishaps have trended downward. However, identifying and stopping potential mishaps before they occur requires teamwork from Airmen across the service. An operational safety review day gives leaders the opportunity to have focused discussions and engagement with their Airmen to ensure the mission is conducted safely.

Grant said the event was successful at gathering wing leadership to support Airmen. Through the day’s events and meaningful conversations, the Airmen of Team Dover found a way to encourage improved risk management and safer practices in support of airlift operations.

“We cannot afford to lose a single Airman or weapons system due to a mishap that could have been prevented,” Goldfein said. “Our men and women have volunteered to give their last full measure for America's security. My intent is to have commanders lead focused forums with their Airmen to help identify gaps and seams that exist or are developing, which could lead to future mishaps or unsafe conditions.”