Airfield driving: No room for error

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Situational awareness is crucial to survival.

The safety of Airmen is the most important issue at the 4th Fighter Wing, and the responsibility belongs to every Airman here. When working in an area with potentially dangerous equipment, one must be aware of their surroundings, or the results could be tragic.

Airmen must maintain constant vigilance while driving on the airfield. Their actions could be the difference between an ordinary day and a catastrophe.

"The airfield is one of, if not the most, diverse and potentially dangerous areas on the base," said Staff Sgt. Deshunn Foster, 4th Operations Support Squadron deputy airfield manager. "There's no room for error."

A big responsibility falls on the airfield management office, as they supervise the airfield driving program for more than 25 units of the wing. They ensure Airmen are properly trained on procedures, including learning tower signals, properly reading maps of the flightline, and how to maneuver around aircraft in day and night situations, he said.

Regulations remain strictly enforced due to an overall rise in accidents on airfields at bases Air Force wide. 

Since 2008, there has been a 49 percent rise in violations involving vehicles on airfields across the globe, said Anthony Royal, 4th OSS assistant airfield manager.

"Over the years, there has been a decline in the emphasis on regulations," Mr. Royal said. "People, especially those who have been around longer, tend to think they know all of the regulations and there's nothing more for them to learn. There's always something else to know."

Personnel from airfield management conduct random inspections on airfield drivers, checking licenses and issuing on-the-spot written tests to ensure Airmen are following proper guidelines.

"We're not out to get people," Mr. Royal said. "We have to make sure people are adhering to procedures, including having proper documentation, because if something should happen and they don't have it, there's going to be a lot of trouble."

The most common infractions and trends that have been observed include Airman not having their airfield drivers license (AF IMT 483) and failing to properly display a personally owned vehicle pass when necessary, and not completing and/or properly documenting refresher training on the license.

Incidents at other bases have added to the increased emphasis on airfield driving safety. At an overseas base, a pilot had a frightening experience where they were coming in for a landing on the flightline and a vehicle crossed in front of their path, Sergeant Foster said.

"For a pilot, that has to be one of the scariest things that can happen," he said. "At the rate of speed they're going, they cannot stop quickly. Luckily, the vehicle got out of the way, but if it didn't, there could have been a horrible accident."

Being knowledgeable about regulations is key to bringing down the amount of violations at the 4th FW, Mr. Royal said. He suggests all base personnel, even those who do not work near the flightline, have at least general knowledge of airfield operations.

"It would benefit everyone on the base to be oriented with the airfield," he said. "Through commander's calls, safety days, First Term Airmen Center briefings, etc., we need to get the message out that airfield driving is not something to be taken lightly."

To view a fact sheet on regulations, click here. For questions or concerns about airfield driving, Airmen can contact their unit airfield driving program manager.