The Mobility Forum Stories

Drinking Responsibly: Alcohol-Related Injuries and How to Prevent Them

By Michelle Piehl, Staff Writer

The Uniform Code of Military Justice and other applicable laws compel servicemembers to engage in safe, legal, and responsible behavior if participating in drinking alcohol. The consumption of alcohol is inherently risky, so it is essential to make a plan, encourage accountability, and eliminate risks.

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A Million Miles Away: Isolation, Loneliness, and Safety Impacts

By Mr. Ryan Meeks, 62d Airlift Wing Occupational Safety Section

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) exists in a high-stakes environment where speed, accuracy, teamwork, and situational awareness are essential to mission success. Operating in austere environments where seconds matter and mistakes can result in death, there is no room for error or inattention. Of the challenges and dangers that the modern Airman faces, two are well hidden and detrimental to the health and welfare of USAF: isolation and loneliness. Isolation and loneliness often go undetected until it is too late.

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Causes of Motorcycle Crashes and How to Prevent Them

By Ms. Michelle Piehl, Staff Writer

If you ride a motorcycle, it is important to stay on track with all required training and seasonal riding briefs. Even in the most pristine conditions, riders can encounter dangerous situations, whether intentional or not, and adding winter weather on top of that increases the risk.

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Be Prepared for a Risky Winter Season

By Ms. Lisa Gonzales, Air Force Safety Center

The winter season will be here soon; have you prepared for it? Risk management is vital to keeping you, your loved ones, and teammates safe on and off duty.

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Radiation Exposure and Preparation

By Ms. Michelle Piehl and Ms. Lauren Fosnot, Staff Writers

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are two types of radiation: non-ionizing and ionizing. Non-ionizing radiation comes from electromagnetic radiation, from extremely low frequency to ultraviolet. Although radiation can sound alarming, most everyday exposures occur at low levels that pose minimal health risk; understanding dose and context helps determine when exposure becomes significant. OSHA defines the most common form of electromagnetic radiation as sunshine. Exposure can also be generated from power lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment. In addition, radiofrequency and microwave radiation can originate from “radios, cellular phones, high frequency welders, induction heaters, communications transmitters, radar transmitters, and ion implant equipment” Lasers can also cause radiation exposure, with the most common damage occurring in the eyes, skin, and tissues.

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An Air Traffic Controller with the 86th Operations Support Squadron watches over the airfield at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024.

Navigating the Skies: The Vital Role of Air Traffic Controllers in the U.S. Air Force

By A1C Olivia Sampson, 86 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Everyone who joins the military does it for different reasons. For some, it is an opportunity to carry on a family tradition of service; for others, it may be an opportunity for education and travel. Whatever the reason, settling into each niche career field is necessary to keep the U.S. Air Force a well-oiled machine and can take time. A key part of this machine is air traffic control (ATC).

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From Enemies to Friends: The United States and Japan After World War II

By Ms. Betty Nylund Barr, Staff Writer

The evolution of the relationship between the United States and Japan since World War II has been nothing short of extraordinary.

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Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance

By Air Force Safety Center

Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MFOQA) is a proactive safety program that analyzes routine flight data to detect, measure, and mitigate hazards. MFOQA quantifies safety, training, maintenance, and operational trend information to improve efficiency and mission performance and increase combat readiness. It is a nonpunitive, identity-protected program designed to eliminate hazards, not punish pilots or crews.

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SrA Taylor Combs, a Flying Crew Chief assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, SC, conducts a preflight inspection on a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during local training at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, July 21, 2025.

Quickstoppers: Managing Risk: The Core of Military Aviation Safety

By Lt Col Michael Bargiel, AMC Flight Safety Chief

Military aviation demands a proactive approach to risk management, given the inherent dangers of flight and the added complexities of combat operations. Risk management isn’t just a policy; it’s a deeply ingrained mindset woven into every aspect of military flying.

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Airmen from the 709th Airlift Squadron and the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load a Pierce Arrow Telesquirt fire truck onto a C-5M Super Galaxy at Scott Air Force Base, IL, April 9, 2025.

A Day in the Life

By Staff Writer

Airmen from the 709th Airlift Squadron and the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load a Pierce Arrow Telesquirt fire truck onto a C-5M Super Galaxy at Scott Air Force Base, IL, April 9, 2025.

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