Team Vance survives 101 critical days

  • Published
  • By Lt Col Warren Ward
  • 71st Flying Training
Team Vance, think back to May 28. The day was packed with individual unit and wing activities designed to focus our thoughts on surviving the summer months. Squadron commanders reminded us to think before we act. We all heard the resounding warnings against driving under the influence of alcohol. Oklahoma State football coach Les Miles was the keynote speaker who challenged us with fitness preparation, injury prevention and teamwork in all we do. We all had a great time that day leading into a long holiday weekend. But a challenge was issued that day, do you remember?
Our very own "head coach," Col Mike Callan, looked across the crowd gathered in hangar 170 -- Team Vance. A diverse team of Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Oklahoma Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve, DoD civilian, Dyncorp, Trend Western and Lear Siegler warriors dedicated to training the world's best aviators. A team ready for worldwide deployment anytime to defend the world's greatest country. As our "coach" scanned his team in this "locker room" prior to the commencement of a 101-day long "game" called summer, his strategy rang loud.
"This group, the men and women standing or sitting beside you today are the same people I want to see again following Labor Day," the Colonel said. "I want all of you to survive the 101 Critical Days of Summer!"
This Labor Day weekend marks the end of the 101 Critical Days. Did we meet the challenge? In true style, Team Vance delivered for the "coach." But more importantly, Team Vance delivered for the Team -- we all survived! Team Vance suffered no fatalities over the summer. Across 16 Air Education and Training Command bases, a total of 91 ground mishaps resulting in lost work time were reported through the summer. While Vance Air Force Base did sustain some minor injuries due to various off-duty sporting activities, they were not rate producing reportable incidents resulting in lost work time. Vance AFB leads the command in safely taking care of our people.
While we can celebrate our own victory, a fellow AETC brother at another base did perish in an ATV accident in late August. Reports indicate that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. While one might argue if the lack of a helmet was a contributing factor, one must remember that survival is enhanced when using appropriate personal protective equipment for the activities in which we engage.
We almost got through the 101 Critical Days without a DUI. However, one of our team members chose poorly and got behind the wheel of a car endangering not only himself and his friends in the vehicle, but other motorists and pedestrians along his route of travel. While no accident occurred, law enforcement officials were not happy to find our team member in an impaired condition. He was charged with DUI and one of his partying partners was charged with underage drinking. While he was not physically hurt, our team member's lack of judgment to have a few minutes of fun is going to have detrimental effects upon his Air Force career.
Team Vance's fatality-free summer victory is sweetly savored, but vigilance is the key to our continued success. As summer wanes and fall approaches, changing weather can pose new challenges.
Continue to think before you act. Be a good wingman and protect your fellow warrior when you engage in the tailgate parties at the fall ballgames. Alcohol is not a culprit, but it does impair judgment. If you intend to drink, don't drive. Have a plan to get home, have a designated driver in your group and don't leave anyone in your party out alone on a street corner only to be picked up for public intoxication. We must take care of each other in our peaceful Enid and Vance AFB locale because each of us is needed by our country in fields of battle all around the globe.
Team Vance, we have done a great job of protecting each other, but we can do better. It is a great thing to have achieved a fatality free summer. Let's keep vigilant and stay fatality free until our 101 Critical Days kickoff in May 2005.