Lots of fun coming, but lots of risk too

  • Published
  • By Gen. Hal M. Hornburg
  • Air Combat Command commander
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  Memorial Day kicks off the "101 Critical Days of Summer" and I can't stress to you enough how important it is to make safety a priority in everything you do, at work and during your personal time.

The summer months increase opportunities for outdoor fun and family vacations but they also increase risk of injury -- or worse. Over the past year, the Air Force has suffered a dramatic increase in mishaps both on- and off-duty. Help me turn this trend around.

As we continue the fight against terrorism, I want you to take some personal time -- time for you and your families. You continue to work hard and you deserve to play hard, but I ask you to apply the same risk management to your play that you apply to the mission.

Be mindful of heat-related effects, fatigue and stress; drive defensively; wear your seatbelt; and avoid drinking alcohol if you plan to operate any type of vehicle, on land or water. Plan ahead, wear the appropriate safety equipment, don't cut corners and don't take unnecessary risks for the sake of saving time. Safety is everyone's responsibility.

We all need to make safety an integral part of everything we do, on- and off-duty. We can achieve this if we work as a team and watch out for each other. Nothing is more important than you, the men and women of the Air Force -- you are our combat capability. Your family needs you at home and your Air Force needs you for the mission.

Enjoy your summer and do your part to make this year's 101 Critical Days the safest ever. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)