Safety brings home the bacon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  9th Air force recently awarded 2013 Safety Awards to the 325th Fighter Wing safety office.

The 12-man team, won the annual 9th Air Force Safety Special Achievement Award, by supporting the commander to help prevent mishaps, preserve resources and ensure mission accomplishment, said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Ward, 325th FW chief of safety.

Having gone 2,303 days without a fatality, reducing motorcycle accidents by 40 percent, zero mishaps for weapons safety, and cutting flight mishaps by 43 percent in 2013 led to the office receiving the award.

"My flight and ground safety group prevented potentially catastrophic and costly aircraft mishaps by recommending changes to maintenance technical orders," Ward said.

Ward was the recipient of the Wing Chief of Safety of the Year award.

"I am excited to win the award because it is a reflection of the safety team's efforts and results," he said. "They are a sharp, hardworking team and really deserve the praise."

The Lynn Haven, Fla. native, thanks his safety team for their accomplishments and expertise.

Master Sgt. Scott Stevens, 325th FW weapons safety NCO, received the Weapons Safety Outstanding Achievement Award.

"The award really reflects the hard work of all the unit safety reps and explosives handlers throughout the wing," said Stevens. "Without their dedication, the wing commander's safety program would not be the success that this award represents."

Michael Simons, 325th FW flight safety manager, received the Career Professional of the Year Award.

"This award is really a testament to the combined efforts of our people and leadership at Tyndall," Simons said. "Safety of flight can only occur if folks are given the right training, tools, aircraft and attitude to do the job safely. Team Tyndall excels at this every day and our safety record reflects that commitment to excellence."

All individuals will be representing the 9th Air Force for the 2013 Air Combat Command Safety Awards.