Chief of safety visits Travis

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Maj. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, Air Force Chief of Safety and Air Force Safety Center commander at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, visited Travis Air Force Base, California, March, 20. Neubauer met with members of the 60th Air Mobility Wing Safety and discussed concerns with current hazards on base.

"This was Maj. Gen. Neubauer's second visit to an (Air Mobility Command) base," said Matthew Kernen, 60th Air Mobility Wing deputy chief of safety. "We made him aware and educated him of the (Risk Assessment Code) 1s on base. Hazards are assigned a number one through three, based on their severity and probability of a mishap, with ones being the most serious."

Some of the RAC 1s  visited included the tire parts room of the Heritage Center and  runway degradation. Due to budget cuts, these hazards are awaiting funding.

"Budget cuts create stress because they focus us to continuously re-prioritize and re-balance the way we do business," Neubauer said. "But safety is paramount, regardless of budget uncertainties."

Neubauer added how it's important to bridge the gap between responsibilities and resources with safety.

"When we shift focus or make necessary changes based upon funding constraints, it's important to keep the basics in mind and that means approaching everything with a safety focus," he said.

Neubauer also met with Master Sgts. Matthew Gresham, 60th Aerial Port Squadron, and William McDaniel, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, both  of whom are AMC Sport Bike Instructors for the  installation and assist with the instruction of the course. They explained some of the unique hazards of being a motorcyclist in California and gave a demonstration of the course.

"The purpose of the course is to not only build upon basic motorcycle riding skills but to further develop skills required for sport bike riding," Gresham said. "In the class we teach them not only to respect the motorcycles capabilities but also how to safely operate them when using them for their intended purpose."

Gresham added that for new riders it's important to take the course to learn to be more confident with the motorcycle and riding ability.

"Safety has to be seen as a personal choice to do the right thing,"Neubauer said. "A commitment to safety should be part of each Airmen's personal and professional identity in everything we do on and off duty."

Neubauer added  most mishaps come down to poor decision making and lack of caution or risk management.

"The Air Force mission takes priority and the inherent risk in our dangerous business is balanced through comprehensive safety management," he said. "Simply stated, 'Mission First - Safety Always.'"