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Congrats 56th Fighter Wing!

6/3/2011 – LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — The Air Force Meritorious Award for Achievement in Ground Safety was recently presented to 56th Fighter Wing Ground Safety professionals. This award is in recognition of outstanding performance in mishap prevention by the 56th FW for 2010 and recognizes Luke’s ground safety unit as the best in the Air Force.

Candidates are evaluated on all base ground safety programs to include low accident rates, safety campaigns and proactive programs for mishap prevention at the base level.
Initially chosen by AETC as the best within the command, they were then matched against the top candidates Air Force-wide, winning the best overall among all major commands.

“The safety professional is in a constant learning state,” said Ben Bruce, 56th FW GS manager, “because there is so much to learn about all the different safety issues at a fighter wing. From the flightline to industrial shop, you learn every day.”

As operational safety professionals, specialized training is provided in areas to include industrial safety, safety training methods and safety program management along with communications skills emphasizing speaking and writing. Mr. Bruce said not only is language important when reporting to senior leadership, but you must also trust that the safety practices in effect are those that are being followed.

“This award first acknowledges the hard work of the dedicated people on my ground team for their focus and determination to provide the best safety products and programs to the wing and rewards the efforts of the leadership teams at all levels that execute the safety mission every day,” Mr. Bruce said. “This is a win for the 56th Fighter Wing, again showing the Air Force why they should ‘Beware the Thunderbolt!'”

by Airman 1st Class Myra Dougharty
56th Logistics Readiness Squadron

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