Wing's safety office named best in AFRC

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kent Kagarise
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Air Force Reserve Command released its safety-award selections for 2008 and recognized the 442nd Fighter Wing's safety team with The Safety Office of the Year Award Nov. 26.

The inspection reviewed safety programs in the areas of weapons, flight, ground and documentation. 

"They look at everything," said Senior Master Sgt. Steve Smith, Chief of Ground Safety, and one of six members of the wing's Safety Office.

Although the award was given to the 442nd Fighter Wing's Safety Office it is difficult to find personnel within the office who will take credit for the award.

"The award belongs to the 442nd FW, not the office," Sergeant Smith said. "The safety maintained by every Airman, commander and civilian is what allowed us to win."

According to Lt. Col. Patrick Murphy, Chief of Safety, 442nd FW safety is a culture that is achieved when everyone believes in the same ideals.

"We have a saying around here. The mission is first, but safety is always," Colonel Murphy said.
Receiving such an accolade can provoke numerous emotions.

"I was kind of surprised," said Tech Sgt. Justin Johnston, ground safety technician. "We really feel undeserving. It's humbling to be recognized like this out of the entire Air Force Reserve Command."

There is one recurring theme through the safety office and that is the consistency of the 442nd FW maintenance.
"We get a lot of compliments on those guys. I've been around other maintenance crews and nobody is close to what we have here," Sergeant Johnston said. "You can eat off their floors, they're so clean."

The Safety Office of the Year was awarded to the 442nd FW, but it is clear that the office would like to give credit to the wing as a whole for making safety a way of life. There is plenty of credit to be given - but in selfless fashion, nobody accepts it.