Situational awareness keeps people, aircraft safe on flightline

***image1***There are many different factors that serve as potential hazards while operating on an airfield. Weather, mechanical malfunction or terrorist acts are all major factors. However, human error such as carelessness, fatigue or inadequate training has proven to be at the top of this list.
Whatever the issue, everyone needs to ensure that they are always vigilant, alert and practice good Operational Risk Management.
Ramstein is no exception. With all of the construction that is currently underway on the airfield there is no room for error.
“We have construction going on all over the airfield, and it is especially critical right now that everyone (aircrews, maintainers, flightline operators, contractors, etc.) maintain a very high level of situational awareness to prevent an accident from taking place,” said Senior Master Sgt. Arturo Jayme, 435th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager.
Everyone has a role in ensuring proper procedures are adhered to in order to achieve safe and efficient flightline operations. This is especially critical in several of the aircraft parking ramp areas where there is construction taking place right beside operational parking spots.
All drivers must be fully aware of their surroundings by keeping aware of construction activity and hazards, aircraft and vehicle traffic movement and other flightline operations.
“We are restricting all vehicle traffic on the crash access road to mission essential only.  Individuals needing to access work sites on the west end of airfield near Bldg. 2295 must enter and exit the area through the west end only,” said Sergeant Arturo.
Additionally, all vehicles operating on the ramps and taxiways must limit their speed to no more than 15 mph or 24 kph in accordance with Ramstein Instruction 13-201, Control of Vehicles and Personnel on the Airfield.
“There has been a recent rise in a lack of compliance with flightline driving rules,” said Sergeant Arturo. “These rules are intended to keep the airfield environment safe for vehicle and aircraft movement.”
“It is everyone’s responsibility to abide with our flightline driving rules, to include ensuring everyone driving on the airfield is trained and certified, speed limits are maintained and people stop to check for debris or rocks on tires at all foreign object damage checkpoints … we are counting on your support to make our airfield safer.”
People who see flightline violations or problems can report them to airfield management at 480-2073.