Safety is Paramount in Deployed Locations

Mobility Forum, Jul/Aug 2005 by Menker, Tom "Lasher", Simons, David

Safety is, and continues to be, one of the top priorities of the Air Force. It is a force multiplier that needs to be considered at all levels, in all sections, performing any job or task. In a warfighting environment it is more important than ever to correctly execute procedures as the operations tempo is much quicker, the ammunition is real, and the effects of poor judgment more devastating.

When deployed, the means to ensure safe operations shifts slightly from the in-garrison mindset to the combat-arena mindset. This is necessary because of high personnel turnover rates, as well as austere base conditions. The Wing Safety Office focuses its energy on three main areas: Networking with Unit Safety Representatives; spot inspections; and Full Spectrum Threat Response Plans and Mishap Response Plans.

1. Networking with Unit Safety Representatives (USR): Establishing a sound network via unit safety representatives and unit flight safety officers is crucial to timely identification of high risk and equally timely risk reduction or elimination. At a deployed location, there are multiple issues that are unlikely to occur at an established airfield. These range from airfield conditions to living conditions.

2. Spot Inspections: With a rotational Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) cycle, there is limited utility to annual inspections due to massive personnel turnover and lack of programmatic ownership. What all commanders and safety officers are most concerned with is ensuring that behavior around the base matches the behavior at any garrison location.

3. Full Spectrum Threat Response (FSTR) Plan and Mishap Response Plan (MRP): Due to massive turnover at deployed locations, the base FSTR Plan and MRP must be thorough and complete. Commanders at deployed locations lack the benefit of routinely exercising response plans. Combine that with high personnel turnover and the effectiveness of the response plan becomes that much more crucial. The deployed location's FSTR and MRP must be able to meet these challenges.

The biggest mindset adjustment that the Safety Office intends to achieve is to ensure the following paradigm exists: Train like you fight.. .fight like you train.

For pilots, maintainers, civil engineers, and services troops alike, this phrase is true. The first part of the phrase is routinely touted by operators. It ensures their training (to include planning, execution, and debriefing) resembles what they will encounter in combat.

The second part of the phrase doesn't get the necessary attention it deserves. It is human nature to want to succeed; people want nothing more than to accomplish difficult tasks. It is also human nature to cut corners in that endeavor. That is where "fight like you train" becomes important. People at many of the Air Force's forward deployed bases throughout the world routinely disregard checklists, Air Force Instructions, and common sense in the name of expediency and mission accomplishment. Safety standards apply to all ranks throughout the chain of command. Every member at a deployed location is equally responsible to uphold these standards. When in doubt, the person needs to ask, "Would I do this at my home base?" If uncertain of the answer, the guidance of a supervisor or the Wing Safety Office should be sought.

From the beginning of the deployment process, commanders and their personnel must work jointly to craft a safety mindset. Each location may be different, but a thorough analysis of the safety concerns at any base is paramount to the safety of all personnel. Don't allow the operations tempo or the continued rotation of key personnel to be an excuse for not following established procedures.

By Lt Col Tom "Lasher" Menker, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Chief of Safety and Maj David Simons, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Public Affairs