Twitter
Facebook
WASHINGTON — Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents May 13 as part of an Air Force-wide Wingman Stand Down.
In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy directed the units across the Air Force designate a day in May to focus on the safety and well-being of Airmen and their families.
“Sadly, 18 Airmen, eight guardsmen and Reservists, and three civilians, of all ranks and specialties, have taken their own lives so far this year. Additionally, approximately 50 Air Force members annually are killed in motor vehicle accidents,” the senior leaders noted. “To jump-start this effort, we are directing a half-day Wingman Stand Down for all units in May 2010. This stand down will include discussions at squadron level or below, led by unit leadership.”
The intent of the stand down is to focus on suicide prevention, motor vehicle safety and improving wingman skills by knowing your people.
“People are the Air Force’s most valuable resource. It’s imperative that we take time to focus on them,” said Col. Doug Sevier, 86th AW vice commander. “I’ve encouraged unit commanders to make great use of this day to not only discuss these necessary topics, but any other issues facing our Airmen as they continue the busy operations tempo that is so familiar to Ramstein and our Air Force. We have some of the most amazing and talented men and women to have ever worn the uniform busting their butts every day. It’s up to leadership to ensure we’re looking out for their welfare while they take care of the mission.”
The Air Force’s focal point for safety on the Air Staff said the stand down is intended to “re-energize the wingman concept,” what he called the foundational approach to suicide prevention and unit safety.
“Wingman Stand Down 2010 offers a pause in the day-to-day mission focus of Airmen in order to focus on the rise in Air Force suicides, reinvigorate the wingman concept and examine the loss of Airmen to private motor vehicle accidents,” said Maj. Gen. Frederick F. Roggero, the chief of Air Force safety.
From 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the wing will “stand down” to allow units to accomplish various activities, including unit commander comments, video presentations on safety and suicide prevention, guided small-group discussions, wingman card distribution and asking Airmen to personally identify their wingman.
The guided discussions will be the focus of the half-day event, said Col. Roberto Guerrero, the vice commander of the Air Force Safety Center. The discussions will encourage Airmen to strengthen wingman relationships and teach them to prevent motor vehicle accidents by curbing reckless behavior and reducing suicides through proactive intervention.
The wingman concept is part of the Air Force flying culture and dates back to the
earliest days of aerial combat.
“Wingmen have always operated as a pair to watch each other’s backs,” Colonel Guerrero said.
Customer service areas on base will continue to operate during the stand down, however they may be minimally manned.
(Courtesy of Air Force News Service)
