AFSOC Safety Efforts Garner Major Award

Published June 25, 2007
By SMSgt. Randy Phelps
AFSOC Public Affairs

Hurlburt Field, Fla. -- Last to first in 365 days sounds like a great title for a novel. In the case of Air Force Special Operations Command, those 365 days of attention to detail and risk management efforts yielded a major mishap-free record after tallying seven the year before.

During the Order of the Daedalian's national convention June 13-16, in Colorado Springs, Colo., AFSOC Commander, Lt. Gen. Michael Wooley, was presented the Major General Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award. The award is given to recognize the command that demonstrated the year's best flight safety record.

"The Air Commandos are America's specialized Air Force," said General Wooley. "Moving from worst to first demonstrates the professionalism and skill of this command."

Perhaps even more impressive than going from worst to first was the way AFSOC achieved the distinction -- while leading the U.S. effort in the Global War on Terror and fielding new airframes within the command.

"The fact that AFSOC achieved the best Air Force safety record at a time of growth and unprecedented combat operations is extremely significant," said General Wooley. "Our aircrews and maintenance personnel have been setting records for the number of hours flown in combat. In addition, we have added the U-28, MC-130W and Predators to the AFSOC fleet. You cannot maintain an extremely high operations tempo and add new weapon systems to your inventory without a commitment to safety at all levels."

Direct commander involvement at all levels and several safety initiatives helped lead the command during the past year. Operational risk management surveys were conducted. Safety analysis teams recommended solutions and communication was enhanced across the command to emphasize the commitment to improving the unit's safety record.

"I am very proud to be part of the AFSOC family and I continue to be amazed by the dedication and ingenuity that every member of the command exhibits in order to get the mission done," General Wooley said. "Perhaps the most important aspect of this award is that it proves safety and mission accomplishment are not mutually exclusive."

To emphasize AFSOC people as the defining factor in the command's turnaround, General Wooley was accompanied at the award ceremony by 1st Lt. Mike Murphy, 16th Special Operations Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Justin Jewell, 20th Special Operations Squadron. Lieutenant Murphy is an AC-130H copilot with more than 300 combat hours and Airman Jewell was recently assigned as an MH-53 flight engineer.

"I asked two of the command's newest aircrew members to join me at the presentation because they will be the ones to help maintain the safety focus in the coming years," said General Wooley. "Safety is part of our culture, not an afterthought. This award was earned by the men and women of AFSOC. It was important that they were represented at the presentation.