SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. –
I prepared this commentary to publish during the final week of this month; however, recent events call for immediate action.
Over the past two years, the final month of the Critical Days of Summer campaign has seen an alarming spike in fatalities. In 2009, 10 out of 21, and in 2008, 8 out of 17 fatal
Critical Days of Summer off-duty mishaps occurred in the final month of the campaign.
This year has been equally hard on our service. Since July 31, the Air Force has lost five Airmen. That's almost half of the 11 fatalities suffered during this year's Critical Days of Summer.
Unfortunately, AMC has contributed to this trend by losing one Airman in the month of August. This brings our total to two Mobility Airmen lost during this year's summer campaign.
As in past summers, the majority of this year's tragedies involved motor vehicle mishaps.
We need your help to reverse this horrible trend. I urge you, do not get complacent.
No matter what you are doing, please take the time to practice proper risk management. Whether you're driving your car, riding your motorcycle, barbequing at home with family and friends, or enjoying water sports, the few seconds it takes to calculate the risks and weigh your options could save your life and possibly someone else's life.
Take the time to wear the appropriate safety gear, wear your seatbelt and travel at safe speeds. Do whatever it takes to stay safe. And while you're at it, remind others to do the same. It's also important to take care of your family, your friends and your fellow Airmen. Everyone can use a friendly reminder.
Each of you is a valuable member of our AMC and Air Force family, and one life lost is one too many. Accidents will happen, but if we can take a few seconds to think about safety, we can help ensure an enjoyable, safe summer experience.
As we look toward the end of the active summer months, I encourage all Mobility Airmen to make safe, smart decisions. Whether we are on duty or off duty, we must always ensure safety is at the forefront of our decision-making processes.