Al Udeid Air Base hosts AFCENT Chiefs of Safety Conference

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Park
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs

Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, hosted the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Area of Responsibility Chiefs of Safety Conference, Sept. 10-11, where U.S. Central Command’s safety chiefs, coalition forces members, joint partners, U.S. MAJCOM safety leaders, and U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives met to discuss theater safety concerns, as well as support safe operations throughout the region.

Maj. Gen. John Rauch, Air Force chief of safety and commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., emphasized the importance of being able to discuss the safety concerns of the region.

 “This conference is held every six months to bring all the safety chiefs from across the AOR together,” Rauch said. “This forum allows discussion of potential issues and how they can be best mitigated.”

The conference gave the safety chiefs the ability to see the larger picture, discuss issues affecting the entire region, and find the best way forward to address potential safety hazards.

 “Along with the coalition and joint partners in attendance, our U.S. warfighters need to know that their leaders believe in ensuring the safest means of providing war-winning airpower,” said Maj. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, AFCENT deputy commander. “By doing so, we are also setting an example for our partner forces to follow, which can bolster the credibility and lethality of their defense of the region.”

With the CENTCOM AOR encompassing a number of missions across the region, it’s vital for the safety chiefs to work together to keep personnel and equipment as safe as possible.

“There is no question that fighting battles on different fronts is dangerous business,” Saltzman said.  “However, it is the responsibility of us all to find ways to mitigate risks during mission accomplishment.  These safety chiefs are the men and women who lead that charge.”