MacDill Safety Team named best in 2015

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Dana Flamer
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The MacDill Air Force Base Safety Office recently earned the 2015 Air Mobility Command Safety Office of the Year Award. After competing against 33 other units within the command, the safety office came out on top as the best unit overall.  

"I am very proud of the safety team and this huge accomplishment," said Lt. Col. John Martin, chief of safety assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing safety office. "Their presence is known around the base because they stay involved, committed, and always actively engaged."

The AMC Safety Office of the Year award recognizes the ability to demonstrate combined effectiveness of the overall safety program. The office has worked very closely with squadron representatives across the base to promote teamwork and produce very high safety standards.

"One of our best programs that we have here is the risk management program. We have trained 46 people across the wing on risk management. By pushing it down to the squadrons, it really helps us spread the word about the program," said Martin.

Not only did the safety office receive recognition for their accomplishments as a team, Master Sgt. Shane Dhayer, a weapons safety manager assigned to the  6th AMW safety office, was named AMC Explosives Safety Individual of the Year.

"I feel humbled to be selected as AMC's Explosive Safety Individual of the Year," said Dhayer. "I know many other weapons safety managers in AMC and more importantly the hard work they do every day.  So for me to be selected is very humbling."

Dhayer also attributed his recognition to his safety team.

"The MacDill safety office is a great team. While we all have our own safety specialties, we will gladly help each other in any way possible to accomplish the mission. I think winning this award highlights just that."

With the efforts that the safety office has put forward, mishap rates are expected to continue to decrease. To date, the team has standardized 42 processes, which resulted in zero fatalities at AMC's largest base.

"Our next step is to continue to work as a team. Teamwork is the hallmark of what we do here. We are not just weapons safety, occupational safety and flight line safety; we consider ourselves the safety office," said Martin. "My team does all the hard work and I am proud to be their chief of safety."