The Mobility Forum Stories

Let me start with a question: When was the last time you tried to predict the future? Did you predict something good and then attempt to make it a reality, or did you predict something bad and try to prevent it from coming to pass? What information did you use and how much of your prediction was “gut feeling”? (OK, that was three questions.) For safety professionals, this process is called Proactive Safety: collecting data from the field, identifying hazards, and developing risk mitigations. However, it is a different story when your predictions are written down and on public display.

In the wake of natural disasters, rapid response can mean the difference between life and death for affected communities. Recognizing this need for urgency, Air Mobility Command (AMC) Airmen, in the face of hurdles, worked tirelessly “at tempo”—a term used by AMC Commander Gen Mike Minihan to describe the swift pace of operations—to provide lifesaving sustainment for thirty-three million Pakistanis, whose country was afflicted by catastrophic floods in 2022.

The Air Force Safety Center released a new strategic plan, outlining new goals and focus areas to align with U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF) priorities.

Safety risk management is a critical aspect of any organization, particularly those operating in industries where safety is paramount, such as aviation, healthcare, and nuclear power. It involves identifying potential hazards, assessing the associated risks, and implementing measures to mitigate or eliminate those risks. However, the effectiveness of safety risk management depends heavily on how well it is operationalized within an organization. This article explores the concept of operationalizing safety risk management and examines its key components, challenges, and best practices.

Although we may not recognize the term “mission pressure,” we can probably remember situations in which we felt mission pressure. Here is an Airman Safety Action Program (ASAP) excerpt that will help describe mission pressure:

SSGT SANTIAGO dedicated fifty-six hours to mitigating asbestos exposure for three hundred members across three squadrons.

Department of the Air Force (DAF) personnel operate a wide variety of vehicles to execute our missions. Transportation professionals operating in land, air, space, and water domains must adhere to safe practices and strict standards.

It is one thing to be a great pilot or aircrew member—you strive for excellence on any mission and aim to serve with professionalism and honor. However, expertise at your assigned task is only part of the equation. It is another thing when the unforeseen happens—if an aircraft is shot down or suffers a malfunction and the crew is forced to eject over enemy territory, into a body of water or harsh climate, becoming isolated personnel (IP) to survive until rescue crews can bring them back to safety.

The Air Mobility Command (AMC) Well Done Award is presented to the Joint Base (JB) Charleston Crash Damaged or Disabled Aircraft Recovery (CDDAR) and Airfield Management team in recognition of their outstanding performance responding to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department helicopter crash on JB Charleston.

Do you have a minute? Great. Step into this time machine and press this button. You are now enroute to early 18th century Britain. As you are chauffeured through the most quintessential English villages, please keep your hands and feet in the vehicle—although these folks could certainly use a hand!

According to the 2020 Demographics Profile of the Military Community, nearly 70,000 active-duty women, or 21.1 percent, make up the Air Force. In fact, the Air Force has the highest percentage of women serving across the armed forces. In addition, approximately 95,800 Air Force service members are among a racial minority group. Although the Air Force is making progress, seemingly small gaps exist that can affect the safety, well-being, and readiness of these dedicated Airmen.

On August 26, 2023, a dedicated team of professionals distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement when flawlessly executing the Travis Air Force Base (TAFB), CA, Mid-Air Collision Avoidance (MACA) Civilian Fly-In and Safety Seminar.