HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The 66th Air Base Group Safety Office received a 2025 Department of War Safety and Occupational Health Management System Achievement Award in the Operational Category during a presentation here Jan. 22.
Peter I. Belk, acting Assistant Secretary of War for Readiness, presented the award to the safety team.
“I feel privileged and proud to be part of this recognition today,” said Belk. “There are lots of groups that are conducting and engaging in preeminent efforts to keep their teams safe and to keep their community safe. It’s a real testament to the dedication, excellence you’re showing on a day-to-day basis.”
The team supports a seven-state area of responsibility encompassing more than 10,000 personnel and 300 on base and geographically separated units.
“This award reflects the daily commitment of not just the Safety Office, but the entire Safety team across the installation to protect people and preserve combat capability” said Chris Herrmann, ABG Safety director.
The 66 ABG provides installation support to 25 units and tenant organizations as well as four program executive offices, enabling multi-billion dollars in Air Force research and development programs annually.
During the past three higher headquarters evaluations, the installation’s safety program was rated “met and effective” in all inspection areas, the highest possible rating, according to Shaun Bassett, ABG occupational safety manager.
Additionally, mishaps are now at record lows.
“Our approach is data-driven and transparent,” said Herrmann. “We give leaders actionable information they can use immediately, which allows them to reduce risk before a mishap occurs.”
The office follows the Air Force Safety Management System model and aligns its efforts through four internal lines of effort: Safe workplaces, training, installation services and mishap prevention.
According to base officials, training remains the cornerstone of their safety program.
“In 2024, our team exceeded Air Force goals for supervisor safety and risk management training, achieving 97 percent and 99 percent completion rates, respectively,” said Herrmann.
The team also secured more than $63,000 in additional funding to deliver 46 courses, providing nearly 1,700 contact hours of specialized training.
“A trained force is a safer force,” said Bassett. “By investing in the right training for the right hazards, we reduce risk across the installation and beyond.”
Risk management efforts extend to non-routine and high-visibility events, according to Bassett.
“The team conducted one-on-one briefings with 15 senior leaders and evaluated 41 non-routine events during the award period,” said Herrmann. “Through continuous mitigation and leadership engagement, all events concluded with zero injuries.
The program was later recognized by inspectors as one of the strongest in the Air Force, according to the award citation.
During the ceremony, Herrmann thanked unit safety reps for their role in eliminating hazards.
“You’ve all allowed us to save combat resources,” he said. “That’s what safety is all about: preserving lives and saving resources.”