Are you ready for Critical Days of Summer? Published May 16, 2014 By Gary Ash 60th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- From Memorial Day through Labor Day, many of us will enjoy summer picnics, recreational water activities and long vacation drives. For more than 30 years, the Air Force has recognized these as the "Critical Days of Summer." For many who have been around a few years, we remember it as the 101 Critical Days due to the approximate number of days between the two seasonal holidays. The days are critical because many people, including Airmen and other Department of Defense personnel, lose their lives while enjoying summertime fun. This year, the Wing Safety Office is conducting a kickoff event at 1 p.m., May 21, at the Base Theater. Commanders are encouraged to allow personnel from their area to participate in the one-hour briefing. Historically, private motor vehicle accidents and water-related pastimes have taken their toll on Airmen and their families. To make matters worse, most of the losses suffered over the years were preventable. This year is no exception. Vehicle-related deaths continue to impact our Air Force. Please be careful in any activity you do. Remember the new risk management five-step process: Identify hazards, assess hazards, develop controls and make decisions, implement controls and supervise and evaluate. Prior to doing an activity, think each step through before you "dive" in. Awareness - if you are aware of the hazards, try a little harder to avoid it. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, you are more likely to be exposed to greater outdoor dangers than any other time of year. This shouldn't be news to you. When it's warm out, we go out. So, before you go out on the flightline, crank up the lawn mower or weed eater or head out on that family vacation you've been planning all year, stop and think about the challenges ahead. Keep heat stress in mind and use risk management. Enjoy the upcoming summer months. Just keep in mind the Critical Days of Summer are serious business. Being aware of this is the best way to take them on. Active-duty personnel and DOD civilian employees are encouraged to engage with supervision and leadership about high-interest topics to discuss throughout the summer to maintain awareness. Your unit safety representative and Wing Safety Office also are excellent sources for current information. The Wing Safety SharePoint site has the three disciplines. Look for the ground safety tab and you'll be able to locate any updates provided by Air Mobility Command and the Air Force Safety Center. Your wingman actions can go a long way this summer in saving a life. Have a great summer and as always, be safe.