MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- (Editor's note: This article has been localized by the 23d Wing Public Affairs Office; The original article can be found at http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1514646/air-force-directs-one-day-operational-safety-review/)
In accordance with direction from Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein, the 23d Wing held a one-day operational safety review of all flying and maintenance functions, May 14, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
The safety review followed a series of recent aviation mishaps and fatalities, including a Puerto Rico Air National Guard WC-130 Hercules crash May 2, and is part of the Air Force’s efforts to ensure the safety of its force.
“The recent accidents have come at a huge cost and we must make every effort to ensure we identify and stop potential mishaps before they occur,” said Col. Jennifer Short, 23d Wing commander. “This operational safety review allows us, as a wing, to stand down flying and maintenance operations, step back and look at the entirety of what we do and how we do it. This requires teamwork from Airmen across the wing and the Air Force and today is our opportunity to come together and access, pinpoint and improve our current processes and procedures.”
During the safety review, the commander-led forum gathered feedback from Airmen who execute the Air Force's flying and maintenance operations and challenged them to identify issues that may cause a future mishap.
“We cannot afford to lose a single Airman or weapons system due to a mishap that could have been prevented,” said Goldfein. “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.”
The review discussions targeted leadership and supervision engagement; training; mission planning, brief and debrief; risk management; flightline operations; experience in the force and fundamentals.
“From administrative to operations, leadership of all levels are committed to hearing Airmen’s ideas and doing what it takes to ensure the mission is accomplished in the safest and most efficient way possible,” said Short.”