The Unseen Heroes: How Civilian Professionals Anchor AMC Flight Safety

Air Mobility Command (AMC) operates at a relentless operational tempo. From executing rapid global airlift and aerial refueling to orchestrating life-saving aeromedical evacuations, the sun never sets on the AMC mission. When people think of the incredible feats accomplished across the command, they often picture pilots navigating contested airspace, loadmasters expertly securing heavy cargo, or maintainers working tirelessly on the flight line in harsh conditions.

However, ensuring that these missions launch and recover without catastrophic failure requires a comprehensive, deeply ingrained safety infrastructure. Although our military members are the face of this operation, a steadfast, dedicated force is working relentlessly behind the scenes: the civilian professionals of AMC Flight Safety. These men and women provide the continuity, analytical expertise, and specialized knowledge necessary to protect our Airmen and our assets. They are the unseen heroes of Rapid Global Mobility.

Profiles in Dedication: The Faces Behind the Data

To truly understand the impact of this civilian workforce, one must look at the individuals who dedicate their lives to the safety mission.

Mr. Kevin Sluss
The Architect of Risk Reduction

Consider Mr. Kevin Sluss, a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky, whose profound commitment to AMC Safety is forged from personal survival. An active flyer and C-130 navigator for twenty-three years, Sluss survived a catastrophic C-130 Class A mishap on August 9, 1989. This life-altering event instilled in him an unwavering dedication to the cause—a direct, visceral connection that drives his work every single day. Behind the scenes, he serves as the indispensable “tasker master,” seamlessly managing daily Task Management Tool requirements and critical publication changes. On the flip side, his strategic impact is massive: He serves as the lead for the Major Command (MAJCOM) Air Force Integrating Risk and Readiness program, safeguarding more than forty thousand Airmen across the globe. What most do not see is his relentless evaluation of the Hazard Review Board program, for which he meticulously tracks four hundred Class A and B mishaps. Through this work, Sluss embodies a continuous drive to reduce hazards across the entire Air Force enterprise, creating long-lasting, life-saving effects for generations of future Airmen.

Ms. Jeanie Hood
The “SIB Queen” and LOSA Guardian

Vital to the mission is Ms. Jeanie Hood, a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a true “Ragin’ Cajun.” Before her civilian service, Ms. Hood amassed six thousand corporate and seaplane flying hours, followed by a distinguished twenty-two-year Air Force career as a KC-135 Instructor Pilot and a veteran of twelve Gulf War deployments. She is known throughout the command as the “Safety Investigation Board (SIB) Queen.” Her expertise is unparalleled as she navigates the rigorous task of developing, tracking, and reviewing more than seventy Class A and B mishap investigations. Hood works diligently with Investigating Officers and Board Presidents to ensure the AMC Commander receives timely, actionable recommendations with zero errors or Air Force Safety Center (AFSEC) rejections. When she is not shoulder-deep in investigations, she manages the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program. This program provides a critical, nonpunitive, peer-to-peer look at operational and systemic risks across the entire AMC fleet, maintenance, and aerial port operations, tracking more than 750 recommendations since the birth of the LOSA program. Her selfless ability to shoulder these monumental tasks with a smile and a genuine love for safety makes her a cornerstone of the command.

Mr. Daniel “DJ” Hernandez
The Proactive Guardian of Fleet Readiness

Mr. Daniel “DJ” Hernandez, a Jerseyite from Bayonne, NJ, with twenty-two years of experience flying the legacy C-130 as an Evaluator Pilot, is AMC’s Aviation Safety MAJCOM Technical Expert and resident proactive safety professional. His journey within the command saw him initially serving as our SIB team program manager, followed by a brief stint in AMC/A3, before returning to his true calling in safety. When he is not conducting Continual Evaluations of all AMC wings across the enterprise, he is out on the road, engaging face-to-face with units to complete Safety Program Evaluations (SPE). As the SPE lead, he assesses the effectiveness, compliance, and performance of unit safety programs—a core component of the Mishap Prevention Program. A true C-130 “crew dawg” at heart, Hernandez recently led the C-130J Safety Sprint, generating thirty corrective recommendations that reversed systemic hazards and protected the fleet readiness of the airframe to which he devoted his military career. His relentless efforts ensure enhanced safety at the operational level for all C-130 pilots of the future.

Mr. Grant Inneo
The Backbone of Maintenance Safety

The newest member of our team is Mr. Grant Inneo, a native of Paducah, Kentucky. Although he served a focused four years on Active Duty in the Air Force, do not let that relatively brief blue-suit tenure fool you. Inneo brings more than nineteen years of deeply ingrained safety expertise to the command. His incredibly diverse career spans roles as a Bioenvironmental Engineering Journeyman, a steel mill Safety Consultant, an Army Reserve Command Safety Specialist, and an Industrial Hygiene Expert with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This well-rounded, joint safety experience makes him the perfect individual to take on maintenance safety. Maintenance is the undeniable backbone of the AMC fleet, representing an area of equal importance to the AMC Flight Safety team as the aircrew themselves. Safeguarding our maintainers has just as much influence on operational success as protecting the cockpit. We welcome him with open arms to AMC and look forward to the many years of vast expertise he will bring to the command.

Mr. Steve Panger
The Sage of AMC Safety

Last, but certainly not least, is the “Sage of AMC Safety,” Mr. Steve Panger. A proud local of the great state of Illinois, a “Fighting Illini” alum, and a die-hard fan of the Cubs and “Da Bears,” Panger brings a legendary level of experience to the team. Serving as a former C-141 and KC-135 Instructor Pilot, he holds the distinction of having the most time in the safety directorate of anyone on staff—a true testament to his dedication. Over his incredible thirty years in safety, he even served as the military Chief of AMC Flight Safety before hanging up his flight suit to join the civilian ranks. Panger expertly manages a complex jigsaw puzzle of safety programs. Serving as the Safety Deployment Functional Area Manager, his impact spans the entire spectrum of mishap prevention and response. He actively leads critical SIBs to uncover root causes when incidents occur, and he serves as the command’s direct, vital link to AFSEC for all aviation safety training and continual education. In truth, Panger has masterfully handled nearly every job related to the safety enterprise. There is simply no one with more encompassing expertise than him. His long-lasting career has created unimaginable ripples in AMC Safety that will protect Airmen for decades to come.

A Unified Front for Rapid Global Mobility

The success of AMC is entirely dependent on the synergy between its military and civilian workforce. The civilian professionals in AMC Flight Safety do not wear the uniform today, but their dedication to the mission is absolute. They share the same goal as every Airman on the flight line: to ensure the mission gets done and that everyone comes home safely.

As we continue to project American power and humanitarian aid across the globe, let us take a moment to recognize these unseen heroes. To the Airmen of AMC: the next time you step into the safety office or read a safety article, remember the civilian professionals working behind the scenes. Their expertise is your armor. Engage with them, learn from their experience, and work alongside them to ensure that Rapid Global Mobility remains not just effective, but exceptionally safe.