ACC commander sends 'Critical Days of Summer' safety message

  • Published
  • By Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  Editor's note: The following message was written by Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, to highlight the importance of safety throughout the "Critical Days of Summer."

Commanders and directors,

We will officially start the "Critical Days of Summer" May 28 with the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This year's "Critical Days of Summer" will run through the Labor Day weekend, ending Sept. 6. I have already provided guidance for a mandated down day and a focus on suicide prevention and self-defeating behavior. Here is some additional information.

Last summer, the Air Force lost 22 Airmen over the course of the campaign. Four of those Airmen were from Air Combat Command. Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for 18 Air Force fatalities (three in ACC); the remainder involved sports/recreation and miscellaneous activities common to normal summer events.

Of the six Air Force motorcycle mishaps so far this fiscal year, five involved sport bikes. Of the six automobile mishaps this fiscal year, four were positive for alcohol and three of the six were not wearing seatbelts.

We can do better -- zero fatalities this summer is not impossible! It's okay to have fun, but let's do it safely. We all need to ensure Airmen and their families understand the importance of personal risk management, being good wingmen, and how poor decisions impact our mission, friends and family.

Now would be a great time for unit commanders to have their Airmen take some of the Air Force Culture Assessment Safety Tool, or AFCAST, off-duty safety surveys, especially the PMV surveys. Results of these surveys can help commanders and supervisors mold their safety efforts during the Critical Days of Summer to target specific areas that need attention.

This is a command responsibility. I want you to join me in doing all we can to make this a safer summer for ACC.

//SIGNED--WMF--5 May 2010 //
WILLIAM M. FRASER III
General, USAF
Commander