Day focuses on Wing safety

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Hansen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  With summer comes warmer temperatures, longer days and the inevitable urge to be outside; but also the highest time of duty risks and mishaps.

Malmstrom kicked off the Air Force's Critical Days of Summer with a Wing safety day May 26. The event reminded Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen here of the importance of operational risk management.

The 341st Missile Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. (Sel) Anthony Cotton led off the day with a series of All-Calls for members of Team Malmstrom. He was followed by a certified speaking professional.

John Drebinger used magic alongside personal experiences to showcase to Airmen the importance of safety both on- and off-duty.

"It's nice to know my part in the mission is important enough to warrant interest in my safety from my supervisors," said Airman 1st Class Sean Johnson, 341st MW safety administrator. "I know taking an in depth approach, like a professional speaker, to remind one's self of summer safety is important and I'm glad the Air Force takes such an approach. Sometimes it seems we get emailed and 'PowerPointed' to death at times and its nice when something new presents itself."

Mr. Drebinger performed a magic trick on a member of the audience while stealing his or her watch. Upon giving the watch back, he explained to the audience how easily they can be distracted, and that distractions are never a good thing when it comes to safety. This was one of the many ways he used his unique talent to portray his message - "Ensure Your Safety."

Along with the professional speaker, supervisors were given access to a safety PowerPoint brief for their troops that covered various aspects of summer safety.

"Our CDS kickoff was a great way to get Airmen involved with their own safety," said Lt. Col. Demetrius Walters, 341st MW chief of safety. "The safety magic show kept our audiences entertained while simultaneously teaching them about safe practices. Last CDS we - the Air Force - lost 16 Airmen. One is too many and if any of the presentations or speakers helps to prevent just one more mishap and/or fatality, then our time was well spent."