New chief of Air Force Safety takes command

  • Published
  • Air Force Safety Center Public Affairs
Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller assumed the duties of Air Force chief of safety, Headquarters Air Force, in Washington, D.C., July 24. In that capacity, he also serves as the commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base.

As the chief of safety, Mueller oversees the development, execution and evaluation of Air Force aviation, ground, weapons, space and system mishap prevention and nuclear surety programs.

The general previously served as the commander of the NATO E-3A Component at Geilenkirchen, Germany, the only operational flying organization within the NATO force structure. He is a master air battle manager with more than 4,000 hours flying on the E-3 Sentry (AWACS).

His career includes a variety of operational and staff positions, including commander of the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; commander of the 505th Training Group at Hurlburt Field, Florida; and commander of the 81st Training Wing at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. While on the staff of U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Mueller was responsible for the integration of command and control systems, missile defense and space operations. He also served as the deputy commander of the Combined Air Operations Center 6, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, NATO in Eskisehir, Turkey.

"Safety is integral to every task necessary for the Air Force to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace," Mueller said. "Not only does safety touch every task -- from maintaining and operating aircraft and vehicles to taking care of ourselves and our fellow Airmen -- safety is key to the combat readiness of our Air Force. Safety enables our Air Force to succeed in every mission, and I'm pleased to be part of this team that drives the 24/7 safety mindset."

Mueller succeeds Maj. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, who retires in September.