45th Airlift Squadron wins flight safety award

Published July 15, 2010
By Capt. Jason Eddy
45th Airlift Squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 45th Airlift Squadron, a tenant unit at Keesler that serves as the formal training unit for the C-21A Cougar, is the winner of the Air Force Flight Safety Plaque for the second consecutive year.

The 45th AS is a geographically-separated unit from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

This award recognizes Air Force organizations below numbered Air Force level for outstanding achievement in or contributions to flight safety, unit flight education and mishap prevention programs, bird and wildlife aircraft strike hazard program, midair collision avoidance program, incorporation and integration of operational risk management principles and techniques, higher headquarters inspections and submission of flight manual deficiencies.

"This is the second year in a row we've won at the Air Force level," said Lt. Col. Scott Nishwitz, 45th AS commander. "Last year it was exciting to win, and we're thrilled to have earned this prestigious award again.

"It's not about just being accident-free -- it's a mindset," he said. "We feel this award is the culmination of all our safety-minded actions, on and off the airfield, that represent a total effort to accomplish the mission safely.

We won't take anything for granted and will strive to maintain our excellent safety record well into the future."

With a robust flying hour program, the 45th AS has maintained a perfect record with zero Class A or B incidents in nearly 2,000 training sorties, numerous takeoffs, landings and touch and go's with U.S. and international students from five commands.