Safety Office of the Year:
628th Air Base Wing Safety Office
Joint Base Charleston, SC
By Staff Writer
THE 628th AIR BASE WING (628 ABW) SAFETY OFFICE (SE) at Joint Base Charleston has been awarded the 2022 Air Mobility Command (AMC) Safety Office of the Year Award.
The 628 ABW Safety office supported a strategic mobility triad involving two airfields, 41 C-17 Globemaster IIIs, two ports, 30 ships, three subs, a 35-mile rail, three trains, and three piers—this resulted in no Class A mishaps.
They hosted an AMC safety staff assistance visit to identify potential safety program deficiencies or negative COVID-19 impacts. The Wing Commander approved and funded the visit, and the base earned an “effective” rating during the Unit Effectiveness Inspection.
The Safety office assisted with U.S. deterrence strategy and executed Department of Energy atomic material and President of the United States program transfers; these actions supported a 33-year nuclear pact with Japan.
The 628 ABW/SE supported the Department of Defense’s sole Air Force-led rail operation, which included 25,000 pounds of ammo loaded for Coast Guard Cutter James counter drug missions, in which 51,000 pounds/$1.1 billion worth of narcotics were seized.
The Safety office safely synchronized with Naval Munitions Command for the United States Naval Ship Lewis and Clark upload, which included 992,000 pounds of arms, ammunition, and explosives.
The 628 ABW/SE was the No. 1 base for combatant commander airlift. They also teamed with the Unmanned Aerial System Working Group, city sheriff, and Security Forces Squadron during the Security Forces Counter Drone System deployment to identify safety issues and ensure the system was Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance-safe.
The Safety office ran an electrolyte popsicle truck for those working in the Carolina heat; the storage freezer was stocked, and morale was boosted.
They championed an Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Council and Qualified Recycling Program fund for hazard abatement and purchased a chemical dispenser and fall protection equipment.
The 628 ABW/SE crew led AMC’s busiest multiservice air/sea/ rail mission, protecting 23,000 acres and 22 miles of shoreline, demonstrating global support.