Official Site of the U.S. Air Force   Right Corner Banner
Join the Air Force

News > Commentary - You and your wingman matter
 
Photos 
Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward assumed duties as top Air Force safety officer
Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward assumed the duties of Air Force Chief of Safety and commander of the Air Force Safety Center on Sept.17.
Download HiRes
 
Related Stories
 A night to remember - 11/20/2012
 
Related Links
 Air Force Safety Center
 
Related Biographies
 MAJOR GENERAL MARGARET H. WOODWARD
You and your wingman matter

Posted 11/19/2012 Email story   Print story

    


Commentary by Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward
Air Force Safety Center


11/19/2012 - KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- As we approach year-end, I invite every total-force Airman, civilian and Air Force contractor, to consider the extraordinary accomplishments of our Air Force over the last year. Together with the Joint Force, we've defended America's interests from every corner of the world, meeting incredible challenges with courage, commitment and innovation.

Today, our Air Force remains history's most capable and respected, and despite the inevitable uncertainty that lies in the future, there is no doubt we will continue to be the greatest fighting force on the planet for decades to come. This optimism comes from you, each and every Airman. As our most important and valuable resource, it is your energy, your strength and your resilience that will take our Air Force to the next level in terms of combat effectiveness, efficiency, and capability.

To be part of the solution, part of the answer and part of the future of the greatest Air Force in history, not only must you commit yourself to integrity, service, and excellence, you must commit yourself to safety as well. An operationally focused and fully combat capable unit, organized, trained and equipped to defend America, can be crippled by the loss of just one Airman. You and your wingman matter -- a lot, and you owe your family and your country a commitment to value your safety and the safety of those around you, with the same intensity that you hold for our other core values.

I urge you to consider all that you've learned about risk management and use those lessons in your decision-making every day. Losing an Airman to a preventable accident is the most tragic thing any unit can endure. You know what to do -- make responsible choices and avoid a lapse in judgment that could jeopardize your safety or that of others, today, tomorrow, throughout the holidays and the New Year.

I wish you all happy holidays and a winter season filled with great memories.






tabComments
12/17/2012 8:26:23 AM ET
Its a figure of speech...although speech..specifically sound is a wavelength...and has no figure.You get it right
A. Yarkhan First Lieutenant , Chciago Illinois
 
11/19/2012 5:47:25 PM ET
I often wonder and decided to ask how are there corners of the world when the world is round
Bernard Keany E6 ret, Toms River NJ
 
Add a comment

 Inside AF.mil

ima cornerSearch

tabSubscribe AF.MIL
tabMore HeadlinesRSS feed 
Officer development program applications due

USAFE fighter squadrons affected by sequestration  4

Faith in captivity: Vietnam War POW inspires Airmen  1

Total force readiness topic of Capitol Hill testimony  1

Dover Airman in 'fight of his life'

JSTARS: Connecting the dots on battlefield  4

Airman returns home to provide humanitarian support

First Lady announces certification plan for veteran jobs  4

AF uses innovative tactics to tackle sexual assault  4

New under secretary sworn in during Pentagon ceremony  5

Family servicemembers' group life insurance benefit changes  1

4 Airmen killed in MC-12 crash in Afghanistan  8

Through Airmen's Eyes: More than words: Airman shares passion for sign language  1

Eielson AFB youth show 'Purple Up' pride

tabCommentaryRSS feed 
The rewards of challenging ourselves

Challenging the status quo: Leadership in today's resource-constrained Air Force  6


Site Map      Contact Us     Questions     USA.gov     Security & Policy     No Fear Act     E-publishing