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Needless deaths impact AF people, mission

  • Published
  • By Col. Gary Goldstone
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Last weekend was excruciatingly tough for our Air Mobility Command family. Three Airmen tragically lost their lives in vehicle accidents. Two Airmen were killed in a car accident, and in a separate accident another Airman was killed on his motorcycle. 

The news is as equally heartbreaking as totally frustrating. While the cause of the accidents are under investigation, there are common factors, such as not wearing seatbelts and excessive speed, that may have contributed to the deadly outcome--both of which were PREVENTABLE! 

Earlier this month, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz expressed their concern about the number of deaths involving cars and motorcycles. In a memo to all Air Force members, they stated that during fiscal year 2009, 47 Airmen died due to vehicle mishaps compared to 29 Airmen killed in 2008. Not wearing a seatbelt and speeding were identified as causal factors in 68 percent of the motor vehicle fatalities. In some cases, the use of alcohol was also a contributing factor. 

They urged us to review the regulations governing traffic safety and reminded us that failure to adhere to speed limits, wearing of seatbelts, and avoiding distractions--such as using cell phones for example--could be met with additional costly consequences. Violations by military personnel are punishable under the UCMJ and may also be considered misconduct during line of duty determinations. If found that the member behaved recklessly, it could jeopardize the benefits a person's next of kin or beneficiary could receive. 

Senior leaders are also in receipt of a directive by AMC Commander Gen. Arthur B. Lichte who echoed the Chief of Staff's message and requires that we look each of you in the eye and ensure that we're doing everything possible to educate and ensure a culture of responsibility and accountability. Each commander should have discussed this issue with you by now, and I will see you on Friday as I personally share my concerns with you as well as provide additional information about the regulations that govern our behavior and the consequences of disobeying them. Why? Because you are the most important part of our Air Force! You matter, and our mission accomplishment depends on each of us to make responsible choices, on and off duty. 

Sudden death is a tragedy, but sudden death that could have been prevented is unacceptable. Young Airmen have been the most recent statistics, however, we have seen that all ranks are vulnerable to such tragic situations--and it is our beloved families who are left devastated. 

Supervisors must do all they can to ensure a climate of safety and have zero tolerance for risky behaviors. There are inherent dangers of traveling the roadways, but anyone who has sat through a fatality briefing would agree that in most cases the accident was preventable. 

We have several tools available to assist with looking at our local safety concerns, and ensure we have the right programs focused on the right objectives. These tools not only help commanders, but every Airman has a responsibility to champion safe behaviors with their fellow wingmen. I'll be reviewing several of these tools with our wing leadership; such as the National Safety Council's Alive At 25 defensive driving course (found at http://teendriver.nsc.org/alive.aspx) and the Save-A-Life tour (ahttp://savealifetour.net/), both of which has AMC's backing to implement and support. I encourage you to visit these Web sites as part of your own efforts to resolve to reduce your risks on the road. 

As General Lichte said, "Every Airman must be responsible, on and off duty, for their actions and make appropriate risk management decisions. I expect nothing less than every Airman take an active, responsible role in mitigating risks. The loss of even one Airman has a profound effect on our Air Force, the organization and its people, and most importantly, their families." 

I echo those sentiments. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our families and our co-workers to make good decisions so that we can continue the mission of Enabling Combat Power, and providing for our loved ones. Please take this message to heart, and I'll see you tomorrow!