The following is a joint message from Michael W. Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. T. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff.
The holiday season gives many of us the well-deserved opportunity to relax and celebrate with friends and family. But for some the holidays can be stressful, especially when heightened by separation from loved ones. This time of year includes unique opportunities for activities and emotions that we should be both grateful for and wary of. We’re asking you once again to keep a close eye on your Wingmen – your friends, loved ones and fellow Airmen – this holiday season, thus continuing to play an important role in preserving the Air Force’s most precious resource – you.
Although we already put a lot of emphasis on safety, we can all do more to look out for our Wingmen. Eight of our precious Airmen have committed suicide this fiscal year. Many of these heartbreaking tragedies could have been avoided if Wingmen had intervened.
In fiscal year 2006 we lost 45 Airmen to private motor vehicle mishaps and countless others were injured. Most of these could have been avoided with proper risk management decisions. During this season, in particular, many off-duty activities carry significant inherent risk that can easily be compounded by exceeding individual capabilities, drinking alcohol, failing to follow proper procedures or wear the proper gear, and failing to plan for winter travel.
It takes leadership – both from individuals and the chain of command – to prevent needless losses. Leaders at all levels must focus attention on sound individual decision making, a disciplined approach to risk management, and the importance of Educating, Motivating, and Activating. Educating means building the knowledge, skills, and character to behave safely and decrease risk exposure. Motivating means giving fellow Airmen the incentive to make the right decisions. Activating means providing the tools to act safely and ensuring each Airman understands the importance of making the right choice.
Ultimately, we can all make a difference, both for the friends and families of our Airmen and for the nation as a whole. Each life we save and each mishap we prevent translates directly into preserving combat capability for our nation. We are at war and need every Airman combat ready and in the fight.
We are grateful for the friends and family who understand and support your sacrifices, and wish them warmth and comfort this season under the blanket of security you provide. And we’re grateful for Airmen who demonstrate that the defense of freedom is an unyielding endeavor and live by ideals that never take a holiday. Today, nearly 700,000 total force Airmen are answering the call to serve as part of the Joint Team, defending our nation here at home or deployed a world away.
Wherever your service takes you this holiday season, be safe, proud and certain that all Americans value and appreciate you. We remain amazed by what you do every day for our great nation. You have our heartfelt thanks.
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News for the Ramstein, Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl & Baumholder military communities in Germany 
The following is a joint message from Michael W. Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. T. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff.
The holiday season gives many of us the well-deserved opportunity to relax and celebrate with friends and family. But for some the holidays can be stressful, especially when heightened by separation from loved ones. This time of year includes unique opportunities for activities and emotions that we should be both grateful for and wary of. We’re asking you once again to keep a close eye on your Wingmen – your friends, loved ones and fellow Airmen – this holiday season, thus continuing to play an important role in preserving the Air Force’s most precious resource – you.
Although we already put a lot of emphasis on safety, we can all do more to look out for our Wingmen. Eight of our precious Airmen have committed suicide this fiscal year. Many of these heartbreaking tragedies could have been avoided if Wingmen had intervened.
In fiscal year 2006 we lost 45 Airmen to private motor vehicle mishaps and countless others were injured. Most of these could have been avoided with proper risk management decisions. During this season, in particular, many off-duty activities carry significant inherent risk that can easily be compounded by exceeding individual capabilities, drinking alcohol, failing to follow proper procedures or wear the proper gear, and failing to plan for winter travel.
It takes leadership – both from individuals and the chain of command – to prevent needless losses. Leaders at all levels must focus attention on sound individual decision making, a disciplined approach to risk management, and the importance of Educating, Motivating, and Activating. Educating means building the knowledge, skills, and character to behave safely and decrease risk exposure. Motivating means giving fellow Airmen the incentive to make the right decisions. Activating means providing the tools to act safely and ensuring each Airman understands the importance of making the right choice.
Ultimately, we can all make a difference, both for the friends and families of our Airmen and for the nation as a whole. Each life we save and each mishap we prevent translates directly into preserving combat capability for our nation. We are at war and need every Airman combat ready and in the fight.
We are grateful for the friends and family who understand and support your sacrifices, and wish them warmth and comfort this season under the blanket of security you provide. And we’re grateful for Airmen who demonstrate that the defense of freedom is an unyielding endeavor and live by ideals that never take a holiday. Today, nearly 700,000 total force Airmen are answering the call to serve as part of the Joint Team, defending our nation here at home or deployed a world away.
Wherever your service takes you this holiday season, be safe, proud and certain that all Americans value and appreciate you. We remain amazed by what you do every day for our great nation. You have our heartfelt thanks.