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Air Force officials announce holiday safety results

  • Published
  • American Forces News Service
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Air Force had the lowest recorded number of private motor vehicle fatalities during the Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame -- one -- to include the lowest number of automobile fatalities -- zero.

It was also the first time in 13 years the Air Force did not have a single active-duty death due to any type of safety mishap during this time frame.

In comparison, the Air Force has averaged more than six fatalities to personal motor vehicle mishaps during this time over the past 23 years.

"Our Airmen are taking the secretary's and chief of staff's memo on reckless behavior to heart," said Col. Roberto Guerrero, the Air Force Safety Center chief of ground safety. "The lone Airman, in the one (private motor vehicle) fatality that occurred right after the Thanksgiving holiday, was not at fault. He was struck by a non-Air Force drunk driver."

The memo emphasized private motor vehicle safety and noted that all Airmen must understand that failure to take personal responsibility will result in their being held accountable for their actions.

"I want to thank you for your support in emphasizing traffic safety since that's where our Airmen are continuously most at risk," said Maj. Gen. Fred F. Roggero, the Air Force Chief of Safety. "Please congratulate all of your commanders/directors and your safety professionals for a job well done during this typically hazardous time of year. Of course, please remind them to not let up on what they're doing."

Team Andersen members contributed to the Air Force's safety success during the holiday season by imparting a safety culture emphasized by senior leaders wing-wide.

"Leadership here at Andersen has made it a point to address safety concerns with Airmen and their families during the holiday season," said Lt. Col. Bill Heaster, 36th Wing Chief of Safety. "The idea was to emphasize [awareness] of the stresses during the holiday season and ensure we were taking care of one another and being good wingmen."