Being a good wingman

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Chadwick
  • Acting 436 AW command chief
Dover Air Force Base, Del. --  The term wingman comes from fighter pilots. When a pilot has an enemy locked in his sights and is ready to take down that enemy plane he can't see what's going on around him and he has to rely on his wingman to keep him safe from danger while he takes the shot.

As an Air Force we have adopted wingman to apply to every Airman and in every situation. We are each other's wingmen. Wingman is now symbolized by anyone who is looking out for you. You should always know who your wingman is, so you know who to turn to in any situation. We most often mention being a good wingman in conjunction with reducing the occurrence of Airmen driving under the influence of alcohol, but being a good wingman means much more than that. Being a good wingman means recognizing when other Airmen are in distress and having the courage to do something about it.

We will have many chances to learn how to be a good wingman at this year's Wingman Day Nov. 21. Each unit on base will be participating in Wingman Day in some form or another. The objective of Wingman Day is to strengthen the morale of each unit by devoting time to building relationships between co-workers, examining organizational strengths and vulnerabilities, and planning for the coming year. Wingman Day is designed to focus on the Air Force's most important asset; it's people. While this day is devoted to recommitting ourselves to the wingman culture, it is important to remember that we should all strive to be good wingmen every day.

I think it is particularly fitting that we are holding Wingman Day during the Fall Safety Campaign. By being good wingmen, we can work to ensure that our fellow Airmen continue to remain safe in these fall months. The Fall Safety Campaign was initiated because more motor vehicle fatalities have occurred in the last three years during the months of September, October and November than during the 101 Critical Days of Summer. And unfortunately, the rate of fatalities this year is keeping pace with
last year's number.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and gas prices are falling, so more people will be on the roads heading for home and family to enjoy the holidays. The weather is also turning, so road conditions can start to worsen. Planning ahead before you travel, making sure you have sufficient rest before driving and wearing the proper protective equipment while riding a motorcycle are just some of the safety precautions you can take to ensure that this is a safe and happy holiday season.

And of course the most important safety tip of all: always have a wingman and be a good wingman for others.