Testing Your Limits: Risk Management and the 731 AMS Experience
By MSgt Andrew G. Huntamer, Jr., Air Mobility Command Safety Engineer Officer
The 731st Air Mobility Squadron (731 AMS), stationed at the “Tip of the Spear” at Osan Air Base, South Korea, understands what it means to test—and strengthen—the physical and mental limits of its personnel to make the mission happen. We pride ourselves on flexing our capabilities to meet ever-changing requirements, a necessity in today’s dynamic operational environment. But how do we, as a squadron constantly asked to perform outside of normal operating parameters, do so safely?
The answer lies in robust and proactive risk management, a lesson vividly reinforced during a recent mission.
One operation stands out: the short-notice deployment of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (35 ADA) to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), tasked with providing critical air and missile defense. This high-stakes movement presented a multitude of potential hazards, including shifting to 24-hour operations, training U.S. Army load teams, jointly inspecting massive amounts of cargo, managing airfield congestion, coordinating vehicle traffic, and mitigating fatigue. These challenges amplified the risk to personnel and equipment.
In the limited planning window before the aircraft arrived, 731 AMS recognized that success hinged on collaboration. We fostered a true joint environment with 35 ADA, a unified movement—it was not their or our cargo; it was everyone’s cargo. I had the privilege of working directly with the Air Defense Artillery Brigade Safety Specialist to ensure that our personnel were protected. Critically, both the squadron and battalion command teams were fully engaged, prioritizing safety above all else. Together, we meticulously conducted risk assessments and ensured everyone understood, and was comfortable with, the planned execution.
Prior to the movement, our Airmen trained Army personnel on crucial flightline safety protocols, vehicle spotting procedures, proper personal protective equipment usage, and general safety requirements. We integrated soldiers directly into our load teams, further fostering a cohesive joint force.
Did this intensive planning and preparation pay off? Absolutely. Everyone knew their role, their responsibilities, and how to execute them safely. This contributed to a faster-than-expected initial aircraft upload, mitigating stress when challenges inevitably arose. As with any operation, things may not go as planned. The strength of this team enabled us to handle unexpected hiccups without delaying aircraft or creating a backlog.
Proactive risk management is a force multiplier when correctly implemented.
Whether utilizing deliberate risk management via the Department of War’s DD Form 2977 or employing real-time risk management on the flightline, a commitment to safety enhances mission effectiveness. The collaborative planning by squadron and battalion leadership ensured that this large-scale deployment from Korea to CENTCOM was safer, less stressful, and ultimately successful. This experience highlights the crucial role of input from the command when capturing and sharing real-world experiences, lessons learned, and best practices across Air Mobility Command.