'Critical Days' require focus on safety

  • Published
  • By Gen. Hal M. Hornburg
  • Air Combat Command commander
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) --  The past 18 months were busier than usual for Air Force people. I am extremely proud of the job each of you has done in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As we bring our people home, this summer will offer great opportunities for us to relax, recharge our batteries, and reconstitute our forces.

As of Memorial Day, we have entered the "101 Critical Days of Summer," a time when off-duty mishaps typically increase. We need each and every one of you to help reverse this trend this summer. Our goal this year is no fatalities, and we need your help to make this happen.

We must all pay attention to on- and off-duty risks we face during the summer months including heat-related effects, highway safety, water sports, motorcycle safety and any other risks unique to the local environment.

Commanders, supervisors and peers have an obligation to prevent accidents by being aware of what their co-workers, friends and family members are doing. We must make safety our number-one priority. If you see someone taking unnecessary risks, do something about it. Immediately intervene and break the chain of events that may lead to an accident. Your actions can mean the difference between life and death.

Mishap prevention directly contributes to Air Force mission readiness and combat effectiveness. Let's make this year's "101 Critical Days of Summer" our safest summer ever by minimizing risks and keeping safety on our scope. Have fun, but most important, be safe!