From the Top

  • Published

To the safety officers, non-commissioned officers and civilians throughout our Air Force, I want to say thank you for your incredible efforts over the last year. Due to your vigilance, the 2014 fiscal year was the safest ground safety year in 10 years and the safest flight safety year in the history of our service.

I want you to know I firmly believe your efforts had a significant impact on these impressive statistics. An 18 percent reduction in motor vehicle accidents doesn’t just happen. A 32 percent reduction in overall Class A aviation mishaps doesn’t just happen. These remarkable figures represent the hard work you’ve undertaken to manage risk and instill a safety ethos into our Airmen.

And that’s what this is all about. Even as we celebrate the statistics, we must remember this is about the Airmen — not just the numbers. These figures represent more Airmen returning home safely to their family after a long day’s work. They represent more aircraft being available to carry out the mission our nation asks of us. These statistics represent more Airmen being ready to deploy to defend this great nation.

 Again, thank you for your hard work and commitment, and congratulations on a job well done!

Gen. Mark A. Welsh
Air Force Chief of Staff