ARLINGTON, Va. - The summer began early this year for many after what seemed higher-than-normal temperatures early on, but the season officially began June 21, thus beginning the summer safety programs of the Air National Guard.
Though the Air Guard traditionally uses the active duty Air Force's safety campaigns for summer, this year Airmen will see a change to focus more on motorcycle safety and awareness.
"This year is the year of motorcycle safety, so they're focusing more specifically on motorcycle safety issues and awareness because that has been trend in the last few years," said Air Force Col. Doug Slocum, director of safety for the Air National Guard.
Slocum said that motorcycle safety emphasis is the biggest change to the summer safety campaign of the Air Guard, which falls under the Air Force 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign.
"The Air Guard, in conjunction with the Air Force, always has its 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign where we focus on many things related to summer activities and people being outside more," Slocum said.
"If you look at the statistics, [summer] is when we see a higher rate of incidents and mishaps … so the focus is on training and programs associated with outdoor activities," he said.
Slocum said motorcycles seemed like the perfect thing to focus on, especially given the fact that they are usually ridden by less experienced riders and after long periods when they are stored for the off season.
He does not want Airmen to forget about the other areas where safety can be an issue, such as sports and recreational activities, fishing – especially at night – and other water activities.
"We want Airmen to keep the wingman ethos in mind," Slocum said.
"Have someone who is going to 'check your six' and make sure you have your stuff, and make sure they have their stuff to stay safe when fishing, for example," he said.
"Check yourself and each other and make sure we're making smart decisions," Slocum said, "because all it takes is one voice to make a difference and stop something that is unsafe from happening."
Slocum said he personally does not feel that there are only 101 days of summer. "I came from Arizona where we go outside in the winter… so I have never been conditioned to only 101 days of summer, to me it's 365.
"How we go about our business in a safe way should not change simply because of the season. Thinking in this manner is a great way for Airmen to incorporate safe practices into their everyday lives as well."