Air Force chief of safety visits Seymour Johnson

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Air Force chief of safety made a stop at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to see the base Airmen's dedication to safety firsthand.

As Air Force chief of safety, Maj. Gen. Frederick Roggero is responsible for all safety across the service, including aviation, weapon, ground, space and on- and off-duty.

Though taking care of all safety policies across the Air Force may seem time-consuming, it is not the general's only responsibility, he is also the commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

"(At the Air Force Safety Center) we train 3,000 Airmen and civilians a year on mishap investigation and prevention," the general said. "We reach out and teach safety, making the service safer."

The Safety Center instructors teach Airmen how to continue the mission safely.

"It's not about how to stop the mission, but how we can accomplish the mission and mitigate risks without hurting ourselves," he said.

The general believes safety is about preserving the Air Force's combat capabilities and saving Airmen's lives.

When it comes to aviation safety, the Air Force is doing relatively well, with 17 Class-A mishaps in fiscal year 2009, he said. As for ground safety, the service is running average, with six Class-A mishaps.

"Each is tragic," the general said. "But for numbers, we have been doing well when compared to off-duty mishaps. (In fiscal year 2009) approximately 60 Airmen lost their lives in off-duty mishaps, which is where I need to focus."

The general said there is a "switch" that goes off when Airmen leave the base gates and they decide to accept more risk.

"Every lost Airman is a tremendous loss to combat capabilities, teammates, friends and families," he said. "The preservation of our Airmen is my number one priority. I ask you to concentrate and not make everything 'all about me,' but think 'others are counting on me.'"

During his visit, the 333rd Fighter Squadron Lancers impressed the general with their air and ground safety.

"Every day I get to work with Airmen and see their hard work, dedication and professionalism is a rewarding day," he said. "It's always great to get down to the units and flightline and see how headquarters can help, not hinder, the mission."