The Air Force Safety Center at 30

In 2026, the Air Force Safety Center (AFSEC) is commemorating its thirtieth anniversary, marking three decades of dedicated service to maximizing safety across the United States Department of the Air Force (DAF).

Safety was originally designated under the Office of the Inspector General at Norton Air Force Base (AFB), CA, shortly after the U.S. Air Force became a separate department in 1947. In 1992, safety became a separate entity with the creation of the Air Force Chief of Safety (CoS) position.

AFSEC was activated on Jan. 1, 1996, as a result of recommendations accepted from the Blue Ribbon Panel on Aviation in 1995, which consolidated all safety functions at Kirtland AFB, NM.

And though the people, location, and tasks may have changed, one thing that has not changed is the core mission to build readiness and enable combat power by protecting lives.

“As we look back and consider where we have been and appreciate our heritage, we should also consider our future and where we are going,” said Brig Gen Otis Jones, DAF CoS and AFSEC Commander. “We should celebrate our successes and be excited for where we’re headed next.”

The safety center’s work extends beyond reactive investigations. The center proactively analyzes data, identifies trends, and develops innovative solutions to address emerging safety challenges. Through cutting-edge training programs, comprehensive safety policies, and collaborative partnerships, AFSEC empowers Airmen and Guardians to make informed decisions and prioritize safety in all their operations.

One of the biggest changes AFSEC has seen in recent years was the creation of the United States Space Force (USSF) on Dec. 20, 2019.

While AFSEC has had a space mission since before the USSF standup, the mission has evolved to encompass a broader scope. Two key areas of space safety are system safety and operations safety. These responsibilities include policy, program, guidance, and oversight of prelaunch, launch, orbital, reentry, and end-of-life safety programs for space systems.

Since DAF was created in 1947, air safety has been a top priority. Aviation safety consists of safety-trained flight, engineering, and wildlife professionals preserving warfighting capability by establishing aviation safety policy. They oversee the aviation mishap investigation process, the collection and accuracy of flight safety data, and the disposition of risk-mitigating actions. Additionally, they provide proactive and reactive engineering and operational analyses of flight safety issues. Aviation safety is constantly evolving to embrace changes in aviation, new technologies, and organizational structures.

Occupational safety is unique in that it affects every Airman and Guardian, while other safety disciplines often cover specialized areas such as aviation, space, and weapons activities. Occupational safety also encompasses traffic safety, which includes educating Airmen and Guardians on traffic safety topics such as motor vehicles, motorcycles, and tactical vehicles. The very first ground safety program was created in response to Gen Henry “Hap” Arnold, General of the United States Army Air Forces, becoming aware that many of the hospitalized injuries sustained were due to jeep accidents rather than combat. Today, occupational safety leads safety investigations for all ground, motor vehicle, afloat, and off-duty military mishaps.

Weapons safety encompasses guidance and oversight of nuclear surety and safety policy for the development and operational use of all nuclear, conventional, and directed energy weapons systems. This includes all aspects from storage and assembling, testing, transporting, and delivery. Weapons safety ensures the application of corrective actions and mishap inclusion for weapon-related mishaps. The department also performs radiation safety oversight, explosives hazard classification, mishap prevention programs, mishap investigations, and staff assistance in its areas of responsibility.

Human performance is an essential part of DAF safety because humans are always in the loop. Human factors describe how our interaction with tools, tasks, working environments, and other people influence human performance. All safety university courses for safety professionals, physiologists, psychologists, medical doctors, and anyone involved in mishap investigations incorporate a human factors curriculum, including the Department of Defense Human Factors Analysis and Classification System. DAF does not want mishaps to occur and actively works to avoid them. However, when they do occur, it is important to examine the human contribution to the mishap sequence to identify vulnerabilities in the system.

DAF safety also includes training and force development. By educating Airmen and Guardians in safety principles, risk management, and mishap investigation, these personnel can proactively identify hazards and manage risks to prevent mishaps. Nearly twelve hundred DAF personnel in safety roles and approximately two thousand personnel in other career fields assigned to safety offices receive DAF safety training every year. DAF safety training and education ensure the continuous professional development of safety professionals, and all personnel assigned to safety staff throughout the Air and Space Forces.

“The Air Force Safety Center’s thirtieth anniversary is a powerful reminder that safety is not just a priority; it’s integral to mission success,” said Jones. “We are proud of our legacy and dedicated to building an even safer future for the warfighter through innovation and proactive risk management.”

AFSEC’s thirtieth anniversary is not just a celebration of the past; it is a reaffirmation of its commitment to a safer future for the Air and Space Forces. This milestone will include a yearlong celebration, filled with engagements designed to connect both internal personnel and the wider Air Force and Space Force communities. Looking outward, a safety initiative leveraging social media and DAF publications will promote crucial safety messages and partnerships from past to present.

Here is to many more years of protecting lives and enabling the warfighter!