3rd Wg, 477th FG commanders stand together against sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Conner
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Col. David Nahom, 3rd Wing commander and Col. Tyler Otten, 477th Fighter Group commander, have directed a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response stand-down day for their units June 28 and July 14, respectively.

This SAPR stand-down day follows direction from the Secretary of Defense to conduct training for active duty military and civilian personnel before July 1 and Air Force Reserve members by August 31.

"Sexual assault is a cancer on our great Air Force which has devastating impacts for our Airmen and their families," said Nahom. "Taking a day to reflect on our priorities and have a candid discussion about sexual assault will make us stronger as an organization and reinforce honor and respect for all Airmen."

During their unit stand-downs the active duty 3rd Wing and the Reserve 477th FG, will focus on definitions of sexual assault, reporting options, the changing culture of the Air Force, and the newly created Special Victims' Councils. The Special Victims' Council provides lawyers with specialized training to advise sexual assault victims, and guide them through the criminal justice system.

"This stand-down will allow us to focus on this critical problem and how we can cure it. It is important that we all pause from our busy work schedules and ensure we are all crystal clear in our understanding that sexual assault is absolutely incompatible with our service to our country," said Otten. "After this stand-down, all of our Airmen will find themselves fully empowered, and in fact, expected to intervene in any high risk situation to change the outcome for the better."

While the 3rd Wing and the 477th FG share the F-22 mission here, the 477th FG will hold their SAPR stand-down day during the July Reserve Unit Training Assembly weekend to ensure the 70% of 477th FG members who are Traditional Reservists and may only serve one weekend a month will receive the training alongside the full time Reservists.

"The 3rd Wing and 477th Fighter Group are fully integrated TFI teammates with our mission success directly linked to maintaining a strong partnership in every phase of our operations--to include the prevention of sexual assault," said Nahom.