Safety highlighted at 505th CCW event Published May 28, 2009 By Jodi L. Jordan 505th CCW/PA HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- -- People from the 505th Command and Control Wing took time recently to combat the Air Force's traditional increase in accidents and injuries during the summer months. Team 505th kicked off the 2009 "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign May 21 with briefings and a cookout at the marina here. The "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign is an Air Force-wide initiative that starts Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend. The campaign reinforces safety during the time when many mishaps occur. According to Master Sgt. Donna Hustad, 505th CCW safety manager, 35 to 45 percent of the Air Force's yearly fatalities occur between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day weekend. "We kick off this safety campaign every year prior to Memorial Day weekend, stressing the dangers of accepting unnecessary risk like excessive speed, drinking and driving, and not wearing a seatbelt," said Sergeant Hustad. "If having this event makes one person think twice about the risk associated with what they are about to partake in and they decide against taking that risk and choose a safer action, then all this is worth it." More than 100 people from the Wing attended the event, which featured speakers from local community addressing topics of interest for the members of Team 505th. Ms. Nicole Wagner, Okaloosa Sherriff's Department, discussed a wide range of topics, including local traffic laws and risks. Mr. Bill Petritz from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Coast Guard Petty Officers Chris Whittington and Justin Phillips from Coast Guard Station Destin also informed attendees about boating safety, Coast Guard duties and water safety. Col. Edward McKinzie, commander of the 505th CCW, closed the event by discussing the importance of being a good wingman to fellow Airmen. "Take care of each other," Colonel McKinzie said. "Have fun, but also have a plan in place to keep each other safe, because I want to see you all back here after the weekend."
Safety highlighted at 505th CCW event Published May 28, 2009 By Jodi L. Jordan 505th CCW/PA HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- -- People from the 505th Command and Control Wing took time recently to combat the Air Force's traditional increase in accidents and injuries during the summer months. Team 505th kicked off the 2009 "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign May 21 with briefings and a cookout at the marina here. The "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign is an Air Force-wide initiative that starts Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend. The campaign reinforces safety during the time when many mishaps occur. According to Master Sgt. Donna Hustad, 505th CCW safety manager, 35 to 45 percent of the Air Force's yearly fatalities occur between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day weekend. "We kick off this safety campaign every year prior to Memorial Day weekend, stressing the dangers of accepting unnecessary risk like excessive speed, drinking and driving, and not wearing a seatbelt," said Sergeant Hustad. "If having this event makes one person think twice about the risk associated with what they are about to partake in and they decide against taking that risk and choose a safer action, then all this is worth it." More than 100 people from the Wing attended the event, which featured speakers from local community addressing topics of interest for the members of Team 505th. Ms. Nicole Wagner, Okaloosa Sherriff's Department, discussed a wide range of topics, including local traffic laws and risks. Mr. Bill Petritz from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Coast Guard Petty Officers Chris Whittington and Justin Phillips from Coast Guard Station Destin also informed attendees about boating safety, Coast Guard duties and water safety. Col. Edward McKinzie, commander of the 505th CCW, closed the event by discussing the importance of being a good wingman to fellow Airmen. "Take care of each other," Colonel McKinzie said. "Have fun, but also have a plan in place to keep each other safe, because I want to see you all back here after the weekend."