Safety paramount world-wide

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Explosive site plans, weapons programs, hazardous cargo operations and munitions inspections sound like the job make up of explosive ordnance disposal technicians, security forces or munitions personnel. Safety experts are not always credited with the successes of these programs; however, they play a key role in securing the safety of all military weapons.

"It is our job to make sure that weapons are stored and moved correctly," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Williams, 39th Air Base Wing weapons safety manager.

Safety experts are needed world-wide and earlier this year Sergeant Williams was tasked in support of Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations. His destination- Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.

As the weapons safety manager for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Sergeant Williams was responsible for site plans, training and inspections. Most importantly, he advised the wing commander on explosives capabilities and any foreseen hazards to base personnel.

"A lot of the job deals with making sure weapons are placed a safe distance from people and other weapons," said Sergeant Williams. "We have to insure that no one would be injured or killed if something were to happen."

The Manas safety office relied heavily on joint and combined partnerships with five countries to maintain daily operations and worked hand-in-hand to properly plan site locations around the airfield. Sergeant Williams molded 18 safety unit representatives into one team with one vision - allowing them to reach an impressive 93 percent compliance rate for 240 items during munitions inspections.

Manas was not the only deployed location where Sergeant Williams left his footprints. He was forward deployed for two weeks to Kandahar A.B., Afghanistan, where he focused on building and managing safety programs. While in Afghanistan, Sergeant Williams visited the building known as Taliban's Last Stand.

"The site has personal significance due to my munitions background and support to bomber aircraft that were responsible for missions flown over Afghanistan," he said.

As Sergeant Williams prepared to depart Manas, he knew his efforts would pay dividends for years to come. His construction of three hazardous cargo pad explosive site plans allowed for a 50,000 pound increase in the wing's net explosive weight handling capability; enhancing operations long into the future.

Since his return to Incirlik, Sergeant Williams has had a reason to celebrate.

"My family went back to the states during my deployment," he said, "so after my reintegration time I made it back to Washington on my son's first birthday. I got to enjoy a small celebration with my family while I was on leave."

Sergeant Williams also won the 2006 annual U.S. Air Forces in Europe Safety Achievement Award for his accomplishments securing the safety of military weapons. He is now being considered for the same award at the Air Force level, which will be announced after the first of the New Year.

"I think my time spent deployed was key in winning the award, but I take greater joy in knowing I left the base in better shape than it was when I got there" Sergeant Williams said.