F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The 90th Missile Wing has a huge responsibility to maintain the world’s most dominant ICBM force, and the base is committed to safety at all levels. The wing has experienced a 26 percent decrease in safety mishaps since the 2015 fiscal year.
Michael Woods, 90th MW occupational safety manager, said that six percent of the decrease came from the 90th Security Forces Group. Col. Christopher Corley, 90th SFG commander, has implemented a safety incentive program in the SFG that has contributed to a significant decrease in safety-related incidents.
A safety mishap is any on or off duty injury to Air Force personnel or damage to Air Force property. This includes injuries and property damage to civilians caused by Air Force personnel. This is also the Mighty Ninety’s third year in a row without a fatal mishap.
“At other places I’ve been, safety is seen as an impediment to getting the job done,” said Lt. Col. James Schlabach, 90th MW chief of safety. “But here, especially with the SFG incentive program, there’s an understanding of how safety enhances the mission and effectiveness. Each Airman on base has taken it upon themselves to be a part of the solution.”
The SFG incentive program has also been a big contributor to the increase in safe practices.
“I initiated the Security Forces Group incentive program last winter, following a rash of safety-related incidents,” Corley said. “Our intent was to create a program to recognize and reinforce safe behaviors.”
Defenders are rewarded for demonstrating safe behavior with a chit as a receipt. The safety chit is good for a day off if Airmen received it from their squadron commander or chief and two days off if received from their group commander or superintendent.
“The program is designed to capture all things safety-related to include ground safety, weapons safety and nuclear surety,” Corley said.
Staff Sgt. Aubrie Jones, 90th Security Support Squadron academy flight NCO in charge, said she was awarded a one-day pass by her squadron commander for preventing a mishap and a three-day pass from Corley for helping another Airman.
“The ICBM is the strongest and most important weapon that the U.S. maintains, and we need the right people operating safely, in every aspect of our mission,” Jones said.
Corley explained that Airmen are able to see first-hand that leadership values safe behavior, even when no one is around. Airmen are taking initiative to correct unsafe behaviors, not just because there are rewards, but because they know safety is important to leaders at all levels.
“Reinforcing safe behaviors at all levels of supervision not only benefits the unit you are assigned to, but also the wing’s mission as a whole,” Corley said.
The Mighty Ninety is on the right track to keep the momentum moving toward a safer work environment where Airmen can thrive.