AETC: Fatality free Critical Days of Summer Published Sept. 21, 2010 By Jessica Turner Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command officials announced the command ended its Critical Days of Summer campaign with no fatalities. This year was AETC's first fatality free Critical Days of Summer since 1960. The Air Force campaigns for safety every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day to encourage Airmen to focus on the increased risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from the climate-favorable season. "I commend our Airmen, civilians and commanders for their outstanding efforts during the 2010 Critical Days of Summer," said General Stephen Lorenz, the commander of Air Education and Training Command. "AETC began this summer with zero fatalities, and for the first time in more than 50 years, we did not lose one member of our team during this dangerous period. "I challenged Airmen to minimize their risks and to look out for each other and for their families, and they responded by exceeding all expectations," he said. According to data from the AETC Safety Directorate, the primary causes of injuries or death are privately owned vehicles and recreational activities. "Over the last several years, statistics show an average of three fatalities during the summer campaign," said Master Sgt. Scotty Johns, the AETC ground safety superintendent. "More often, fatalities are due to POV and other recreational accidents caused by human error, poor judgment, driving under the influence and the failure to wear seatbelts." David Etrhein, the AETC occupational safety manager, said that while the safety division is happy with recent success, safety offices still challenge everyone in the command to continue their efforts in preventing mishaps. "With only nine days to go to the end of the fiscal year, AETC has only had one fatality (since Nov. 21)," Mr. Etrhein said. "Our command is only 60 days from accomplishing our first ever ground mishap fatality-free annual year." AETC's director of safety said he is thankful for the participation and dedication of all Airmen, and hopes the men and women of the command can continue the safety goal. "The summer of 2010 will always be memorable in that, ... we didn't have to make any sad phone calls to notify moms and dads that their child was lost in a senseless preventable mishap," said Col. John W. Blumentritt, the AETC safety director. "It's a testament to commanders, supervisors and wingmen at every level that their efforts are paying off. It's going to take an equal or even greater effort by all to keep this positive trend going into the next fiscal year and beyond." While the summer campaign has been a success, the effort does not end here. As the winter months are approaching, Airmen and their wingmen should consider safety year-round. "As we move forward into our fall safety program, continue to keep safety in the forefront of your everyday activities," General Lorenz said. "With daylight hours getting shorter and with school being back in session, there are more kids out and less light to see by. The weather is starting to change for the worse, and it is imperative that we maintain our focus and continue to be good wingmen for the season to come."