The Mobility Forum Stories

“For Alert Force, For Alert Force: KLAXON—KLAXON—KLAXON!” Those of you with experience in the nuclear mission of the Air Force may be a little triggered by this phrase. Memories immediately spring to mind of jumping up from a cribbage game, sprinting from the alert facility to your Air Force-issue extended cab truck, and racing to the awaiting alert aircraft as fast as the “blue steel” would go.

At a time when global threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center (USAFEC) stands as a critical pillar of rapid global mobility and operational readiness. Under the leadership of Brig Gen Stephen P. Snelson, the Expeditionary Center (EC) is entering a transformative era, redefining its mission to meet the challenges of Great Power Competition.

As safety professionals, we have two basic roles: first, to be proactive, and second, to be reactive. Our task in proactive safety is to take…

Risk management is the process of determining risk and the likelihood of negative consequences occurring. Military units often emphasize operational risk management, but personal accountability and risk mitigation are essential both in and out of the field.

Safety culture is naturally biased toward reactive processes because mishaps are confirmation of hazards. When a Class A or B aviation mishap involves an Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft, the safety investigation process is poised to marshal tremendous resources to determine the cause and implement changes to avoid a recurrence.

The 6th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office (6 ARW/SE) at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), FL, has been honored as the Air Mobility Command (AMC) 2024 Safety Office of the Year. Under the leadership of 6 ARW Commander Col Edward V. Szczepanik, the 6 ARW racked up a host of achievements in safety in the past year.

The 22d Air Refueling Wing Safety Office (22 ARW/SE) at McConnell Air Force Base (AFB), KS, led by Lt Col Rey Heron, is the winner of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Risk Management Achievement Award.

The team executed several comprehensive risk assessments for high-profile events, enhancing strategic decision-making for senior leaders.

The 60th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office (60 AMW/SE) at Travis Air Force Base, CA, led by Lt Col G. Paul Fowler, is the winner of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Outstanding Achievement Award, Category II.

The 60 AMW/SE safeguarded the largest AMC wing’s collateral, movements, missions, airlifts, and personnel. Liaising with AMC, the office increased the installation’s explosives surge capacity and boosted the Wing’s explosives capability.

The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group Safety Office (43 AMOG/SE) at Pope Army Airfield, NC, with Col Allen C. Morris, Jr., at the helm, is this year’s winner of the Air Mobility Command Safety Outstanding Achievement Award, Category IV. The group’s commitment to safety has set the bar high for safety offices in the military.

The 733d Air Mobility Squadron (733 AMS) has been presented with the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Outstanding Achievement Award, Category V. Among its many achievements, the team resolved four safety-of-flight impounds, coordinating with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and three major commands to author six engineer dispositions.

The crew of NATTY 46, 384th Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, WA, was awarded the Air Mobility Command Aircrew of Distinction Award.

On Jan. 30, 2024, the crew of NATTY 46 took off from Prince Sultan Air Base in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a U.S. Central Command-assigned combat mission.