Ready, set, summer New uniforms - RAF Lakenheath

Jet48FeatureThe U.S. Air Forces in Europe Services Extreme Summer event started here Saturday. The event kicked off with a 1- and 2- mile run for RAF Lakenheath youths. Paige Hemmis, from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, fired the shot to start the race.Photo by Tech. Sgt. Sabrina JohnsonTarget areas for 2006:Target areas for 2006:Zero Flight and Ground Class A and B mishapsReduce private motor vehicle mishaps by 50 percentReduce private motor vehicle mishaps by 50 percentReduce Class C mishaps by 50 percentReduce Class C mishaps by 50 percentZero maintenance related mishapsZero maintenance related mishapsZero foreign object and debris related mishapsZero DUI’sBy Master Sgt. Robert Paton48th Fighter Wing SafetyThe 48th Fighter Wing is about toenter what is historically referred to asthe “101 Critical Days of Summer.” Itbegins on Memorial Day and runsthrough Labor Day.Traditionally mishaps increase duringthis period due to additional traveling andparticipation in recreational events. Lastsummer, USAFE experienced two fatalitiesin a private motor vehicle accident.Although the number may seem small, itis too many when talking about a life.Sports and recreation accidents top the101 Critical Days of Summer mishap list.However, private motor vehicle mishaps,both two-wheel and four-wheel, are aclose second. Most accidents are theresult of a sequence of events that cometogether at the scene of the mishap. Thecircumstances and causes may be differentleading up to each event, but therewas one thing they all had in common:they were preventable. From inattention,driving too fast, exercising poor judgmentor driving under the influence of alcohol,each accident could have been prevented.Every vehicle operator could havechanged his or her behavior in some mannerto prevent catastrophe.During this year’s 101 Critical Days ofSummer campaign, the 48th FighterWing’s primary aim is for commandersand supervisors to promote active riskmanagement both on- and off-duty.This is a hearty goal. However, takingthe time to apply personal risk managementto circumstances both on and offdutyis the key to success in meeting thewing’s safety goals. Simply put, thinkbefore acting. Apply the risk managementprinciples practiced every day on the jobto personal activities this summer. Ask inadvance what could possibly go wrongand then take preventive actions wherenecessary.Lastly, don’t drink and drive. Have aplan. Take a wingman as a designateddriver, call a taxi or, as a final plan, contactAirmen Against Drunk Driving. TheAir Force simply can’t afford the cost inhuman suffering and mission impact a caraccident, boating tragedy or DUI causes.Enjoy the upcoming summer, but be carefulin your endeavors. Bottom line: do theright thing, the right way, and plan safetyinto everything you do.PAGE 12 JET 48 MAGAZINE May 26, 2006 JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 13