In response to a recent series of aircraft mishaps, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein has ordered all Air Force wings to conduct a one-day safety review. The order applies to any units that conduct flying and maintenance operations. The stand-downs must be completed by May 21.
Recently, a Puerto Rico Air National Guard WC-130 aircraft crashed in Georgia on May 2, killing nine airmen. Even though a decade-long trend indicates that the number of such incidents has decreased, they are on the rise this year, according to the Air Force.
During the safety reviews, airmen will provide their commanders with information regarding issues that may lead to future incidents if left unchecked. Specifically, Goldfein wants airmen to “identify gaps and seams” that are emerging or exist now.
“I am directing this operational safety review to allow our commanders to assess and discuss the safety of our operations and to gather feedback from our airmen who are doing the mission every day,” said Goldfein. “We cannot afford to lose a single airman or weapons system due to a mishap that could have been prevented.”
