Accent on Safety - Brief Article

Hi, I'm Colonel Kevin Smith, the new Chief of Safety for Air Combat Command (ACC). I want each of you to know that "we are here to help." If that sounds a bit strange coming from a staff-puke who has not recently camped out on your base, you are right ... but I truly mean it! We are all on the same team because it takes every single person in the command to (further) drive-down our mishap rates.

ACC Safety has the experts with the tools, techniques and expertise to help everyone maintain the strongest safety programs. By working together these programs will help preserve our precious resources: people, aircraft, and equipment.

Many of the lessons we have learned in aviation come from the school of hard-knocks. A lot of them have resulted in ACC Instructions, but we can do more to keep from repeating the mistakes that lead to mishaps. That is where you come in. We need to hear about your experiences, concerns, ideas, and successes. Sharing your "lessons learned" and incorporating them into our safety programs will keep us all at the top of our game. Do not hesitate to share your experiences with us.

Again, I am glad to be joining the ACC Safety team and want you to consider us all members of your team! If we can help you solve a problem or a safety issue, my phone number is DSN 574-8800.

Colonel Kevin Smith

ACC Chief of Safety