3rd Wing focuses on Airmen safety, well-being, with Safety Day

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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The 3rd Wing completed a Safety Day, Sept. 28, which allowed each unit to have personal training focused on safety and enhancing the Wingman concept.

The stand down day is a quarterly event that gives Airmen in the wing an opportunity to refocus on these important issues.

"It reinforces what it means to take care of one another," said Air Force Master Sgt. Cary Adcock, 3rd Operations Squadron Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor. "First and foremost we are Airmen and wingmen. This day allows us to focus on that."

Adcock spoke with his Airmen in the 3rd OSS about resilience and the "Whole Airman" concept.

Resilience has four pillars, Adcock described; mental, physical, social and spiritual. All of these components comprise a whole person, and Airmen need to continually strengthen and maintain these areas of their lives.

When an Airman is strong in these areas, they are more capable of handling a tragedy or adverse conditions, Adcock said.

"When it comes to safety and resiliency, everyone is responsible," said Air Force Master Sgt. Michael White, 3rd Operations Squadron Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor. "Whether you're hiking, camping, or on a snowmobile there are always going to be risks. We have to be aware of those risks and prepare for them."

White also led a discussion with his Airmen about the pitfalls of decisions made under the influence of alcohol, including how to stop sexual assault.

Training like this may have contributed to 3rd Wing's significant reduction in reportable mishaps during the 101 Critical Days of Summer.

Pacific Air Forces Safety announced that this year's Critical Days of Summer campaign was record setting with a 25 percent decrease in reportable mishaps.

The collaborative efforts in educating, mentoring, and stressing mishap prevention that PACAF Safety did not stop with the news of the three year low, it just enhanced the message.

Senior Air Force leadership laid out the blueprint for the 3rd Wing Safety Day.

"Our goal is to eliminate all preventable mishaps, and you can help by setting a standard of zero tolerance for reckless behavior and through awareness of subtle behavioral changes," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy in a message to all Air Force personnel.
"One lost life is too many, we urge all Airmen to look out for one another and remember that safety requires deliberate forethought."

The awareness of those subtle changes is something that was echoed in training around the wing.

"Know your friends, know your peers, and know the people that you supervise," said Lt. Col. Michael Erickson, Commander of the 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron, during a Hall Call.

"It takes courage to be a good wingman. You have to be prepared to speak up when you think something is wrong," Erickson said. "On the flipside of that, if you are being approached by someone who is expressing concern for you, you need to have mutual respect. Know that person is coming to you because they care about you and your well being."

Other safety issues which were discussed included the transition into winter conditions, driving safety, operational safety, reflective belts, and having the proper winter gear handy when traveling.