AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR -- U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s Safety Directorate hosted a Chiefs of Safety Conference March 18-19, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
The conference focused on coordinating with AFCENT AOR coalition safety representatives, emphasizing risk management, and forecasting manning needs among changing mission dynamics.
Forty-one attendees from across five different major commands shared lessons learned to improve AOR flight, occupational and weapons safety. Among the U.S. Air Force safety representatives were three Royal Air Force Airmen offering input about how the RAF handles safety.
“We rely a lot on the eyes and ears of our coalition partners,” said Maj. Clayton McCart, AFCENT Safety deputy director. “When able, all Airmen should work to build and shape partner nation safety program capability, sustainability and interoperability.”
Maj. Gen. Gregory Guillot, Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander, reinforced leaderships’ expectation of safe mission execution across all of the CENTCOM AOR.
"Everything you do as safety chiefs influences how we deliver war-winning airpower across the AOR," said Guillot. "Military operations, especially in combat, can be dangerous and prioritizing safety procedures helps protect our forces while accomplishing the mission."
The safety conference is held every six months and gives new theater safety chiefs the information and professional network necessary for success in their respective AORs. The next Chiefs of Safety Conference is scheduled for Fall of 2019 and will focus on emergent safety needs, lessons learned and continuity for new AFCENT safety chiefs.
“Working together to mitigate operational risks during mission execution is the best way to ensure our Joint and coalition forces return home safely from their jobs in the AOR,” said McCart.