Keeping the birds in the air

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  On top of new resolutions and new outlooks on the upcoming year, pilots and weapon systems officers (WSOs) gathered here for a flight safety briefing to prepare for what 2012 has in store for the flightline and the skies above.

The 4th Quarter Flight Safety Meeting was held for pilots and WSOs from the 4th Operations Group (OG) to remind them of aircrew regulations, the hazards of flying during winter months, animals that could affect their flight and what they can expect this year as they crack down on regulations.

"We have done a great job this past year," said Col. Gabriel Green, 4th Fighter Wing vice commander. "We have flown a tremendous amount of sorties and hours, and I congratulate and thank you for your service."

"Dress for success," seemed to be the main focus of the meeting.

Col. Brian Kirkwood, 4 OG commander, stressed the importance of being properly dressed for the season, every time aircrew members are in an aircraft.

"Every time you go out the door, you should be prepared to spend the night outside," Kirkwood said. "You never know what's going to happen when you are flying and if you need to bail and end up in a marsh waist high, that jacket may keep you warm."

The New Year brought in a resolution set up for all the 4 OG pilots and WSOs.

"You need to understand where you sit in the big picture," Green said. "What I ask you as we start this next year is think about what we are doing, what we are not doing, and what we should be doing. It's not difficult to make the right decisions by looking at things that are right in front of us. Are we missing anything? Not communicating properly? Whatever the issue may be, I ask you to go back to the squadrons and think about what we aren't seeing, what is right in front of us."

The next flight safety meeting will be held in months to come, but until then, the pilots and WSOs from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, will continue to better themselves and their squadrons for the mission.