McChord's safety down day

By 62nd Airlift Wing on January 28, 2012

The 62nd Airlift Wing dedicated Jan. 27 to focus on safety. According to the Air Mobility Command leadership, the purpose of the day is to raise awareness and focus attention on safe and effective mobility operations.

"This is an opportune time as we come off the holiday 'slow' period to refocus our attention and reinvigorate a safety mindset," said Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., AMC commander, in a letter to the command's leaders.

The day began with an all call in Hangar 9 at 8 a.m. Following the all call, everyone was released to their groups or squadrons.

To allow for maximum participation and to the maximum extent possible, Johns directed that AMC operations and training be limited on safety focus day. This will afford Airmen time to focus on mishap trends and the need to constantly maintain our safety focus in day-to-day air mobility operations.

Specifically, Airmen will attend briefings and discuss issues in their units. Safety down day activities highlighted safety practices and procedures, sound operational risk management and ways to enhance safety and reduce risk on and off-duty.

"Today's safety down day afforded our wing an excellent opportunity to stop and reflect on safe and effective mission accomplishment for all disciplines," said Lt. Col. Jason King, 62nd Airlift Wing chief of safety. "We need to get away from the mindset that accidents are inevitable, and believe that all mishaps can be prevented."

AMC officials expect that the Focus Day will help promote positive trends in terms of complacency, attention to detail and adherence to standards. In addition, they hope it will also highlight key issues requiring the commands attention to continue safe and effective mission accomplishment.