Live to play, play to live

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Fighter Wing Safety office hosted the annual Safety Day Fair May 14 in Hangar One.

The focus for the event was the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign, held each year Air Force wide to educate Airmen on summer safety. Mishap rates, statistically, become higher within the summer months.

"We need to remember, safety is not about one day," said Lt. Col. Richard Koch, 325th Fighter Wing Safety chief of safety. "Safety is a mentality. We must take in all our actions both on and off duty."

This year's campaign motto is "Live to Play, Play to Live."

"We live in an amazing area that offers us numerous recreational activities year-round," said Colonel Koch. "We want our Airmen to enjoy these opportunities, just play safe ... so they can play again."

The event featured vendors from on base such as the Office of Special Investigations, Natural Resources, and Security Forces, and off base such as Gulf World, the Panama City Fire Department, and the Bay County Sherriff's Department.

The 325th Fighter Wing Commander, Col. James Browne, also gave a short briefing to each group. His first focus was on safety while driving.

On average, there are 50 Airmen casualties related to driving each year, seventy percent of which, are due to reckless driving.

"We operate heavy equipment in the Air Force, whether that is an F-22, an F-15, or a government-owned vehicle," said Colonel Browne. "While we are doing that, we are focused strictly on operating those vehicles. So when we get behind the wheel of our personal-owned vehicle it should not be any different."

He asked that Airmen always wear a seatbelt, maintain the proper speed, stay off their cell phones, and never drink and drive.

Next, he honed in on drug use.

"Prescription drug use is on the rise for those who should not be taking them," said Colonel Browne. "What I mean by that is that there are people using the prescription they get and taking them in the improper dosage. Then, there are the people who aren't prescribed the drugs and are either taking them from others or soliciting them."

Abusing prescription drugs and/or buying or using salvia and spice are strictly prohibited in the Air Force. All are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

He also took time to cover recreational safety and the upcoming hurricane season.

Finally, and perhaps the most importantly, Colonel Browne addressed suicide in the Air Force.

"Suicide rates are increasing in our military and the Air Force," said Colonel Browne. "Today we are going to take some time focusing on suicide prevention. With our operation tempo and the number of personnel in the Air Force, we are drawing down a tremendous amount of stress and some individuals are having thoughts of suicide."

An important acronym to remember when helping prevent suicide is ACE: ask, care and escort.

"We are in the greatest Air Force in the world," said Colonel Browne. "We work with the best Airmen in the world. We need to take care of each other, and that is the responsibility of the wing commander, all the way down to those who work within your shop."

For more Safety Day photos click here.