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Show NEWS deployment of U.S. forces in more than two decades. Fighters, bombers and tankers deployed and proved the Air Force could fight and win a war anywhere in the world and do it safely. Military Airlift Command, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard cargo crews alone had to fly more than 200,000 hours beyond their programmed hours in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Cole sees the success of the Persian Gulf War as validation of the high levels of motivation, training and proficiency of Air Force people. "When the crisis broke out and the war followed they just geared up and went right after it," he said. "There is great risk for a lot of mishaps when you do that kind of deployment. You run that risk because it's high speed, high pressure and very by TSjjt. Sarah L. Hood Force News Service WASHINGTON Fiscal 1991 was the safest year yet for the Air Force and the numbers speak for themselves, the service's top safety official said. "The bottom line of that record is that we have a group of highly intelligent, highly motivated, people in the United States Air Force who are really paying attention to doing the right things the right way at the right time," Brig. Gen. James L. well-traine- d 66 Safety becomes part of your way of life, part of your way of thinking, part of your way of doing your job on a daily basis. 20th century, and its challenges of budget, people and equipment shortages for our armed forces, it is imperative we elevate safety to the same level of primacy and emphasis as profi- ciency, professionalism and pride. If we do not, we simply cannot afford the losses. "With our commanders in the lead, safety must be studied diligently, emphasized consciously and practiced universally by everyone at eve.ry level. The consequences of doing anything less are unacceptable." The Air Force maintains flight records all the way back to 1921 and fiscal 1991 set records in almost every category of mishaps, officials said. Flight safety statistics recorded the lowest number ever of serious mishaps Aw Force chief per 100,000 flying hours with a 1.11 rate, compared to 1.49 in fiscal 1990. The well-traine- average was 1.64. Fatalities due to flight mishaps dropped to 18 in 1991 from 43 in 1990, and a average of 64. The total of number destroyed aircraft was 38, compared to 52 in fiscal 1990. The average was 54. Fiscal 1991 saw 109 fatalities, the lowest number of fatalities than any other year. Fiscal 1990 recorded 125 with a average of The 185 about previous low per year. r for a period was 118 in 1989. Much of this was accomplished while the Air Force fought Desert 10-ye- ar 10-ye- 10-ye- d, their life. Although fiscal 1991 was the best safety year in Air Force history, there were still 127 deaths, "and that is 127 too many," he said. "We simply cannot accept death, injuries, and lost and damaged equipment as the cost of doing business. We just can't do it because our people are too precious and we've entered a very challenging and difficult period where resources are scarcer and more ar ar non-flyin- g 10-ye- ar one-yea- OKIMr" I Q&m fP P said. "Safety becomes part of your way of life, part of your way of thinking, part of your way of doing your job on a The fact that they accomplished that massive deployment and kept mishap rates down was a "tribute to our people," he said. It proved them to be highly motivated, focused and aware, making safety a part of their mindset and a part of lofefy Military - Civilian Personnel daily basis. When you create that kind of culture, that kind of environment, t'he right things happen and the wrong things don't happen." But in the wake of this success, the Air Force must strive to keep driving those numbers down, he said. With the pressures of budget reductions and personnel cuts bearing down on the service, Cole feels it is vital to keep focused on the importance of safety. "Our people are too precious and our equipment too costly to lose. Whenever an Air Force member dies in an accident, we need to remember that every supervisor and contemporary who ever spoke to him or her had an opportunity to influence their judgment. A little bit of all of us leaves with that member and every one we lose. We must never forget that and must do our very best to prevent that next mishap." I 1 1 J&fcrfr Cash!rrmpJ needs, vacations, etc. Convenient and Quick i 7 'Cash for personal WW UP 7 $200 INSTANTLY!! Military ID or Civilian ID and Post Dated Check is all you need. IF YOU NEED INSTANT CASH, COME SEE US AT Ml 2778 300 EAST GENTILE ST. OPEN MON.-THUR- S. 3 He cited their creation of a "culture of safety," where every member of the organization becomes a safety officer, safety NCO or safety civilian. "I use the term safety professional." Cole Tribute Jr. Brig. Gen. James L. Cole erf Ws Culture of safety intense." 99 Jr. said. "As we face the final decade of the Cole H.lltop "We have less people to do many very important jobs and we cannot lose our focus on doing the right things the right way and keeping the operation not only mission success oriented, but do it safely as well." The general attributed most of the Air Force's safety success to commanders in the field who are identifying problems and safety hazards, and then developing and implementing solutions before accidents happen. Storm and brought home the largest 1991 S(ofslf yiip Air Nov. 27, 1991 (Inside Layton Mini-Mal- l) - 10 TO 5 SAT. 12 TO 4 m FRI. LAYTON, UTAH 10 TO 5:30 |