Changes to Airfield Driving Program implemented

Published Jan. 11, 2014
By Senior Master Sgt. Burke Baker
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 386th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron's Airfield Management section recently made significant changes to the airfield driving program.

Tech. Sgt. Travis Trussell, deputy airfield manager at the 386th EOSS, said the changes resulted from recommendations made by the Runway Incursion Prevention Working Group, which met on Jan. 3 to identify ways to improve the safety of airfield operations.

"Our airfield has a very non-standard configuration, with dual runways and far more access points to the controlled movement area than any other location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Due to the complexity of driving on and around this airfield, our training program needs to be more stringent to ensure airfield drivers are familiar proper procedures and able to operate safely."

Changes to the program include updates to the airfield diagram provided to all airfield drivers, new tests and testing procedures, and new tracking measures to report statistics of testing results.

Trussell said that the purpose of the changes was to make the program more focused, ensuring personnel are properly trained. He believes the changes to the program will ultimately mitigate the risk of future airfield driving violations.

"We contacted Airfield Management sections throughout the area of responsibility for inputs on how their programs are managed. We incorporated some of their procedures as well as new procedures that were developed in house," he said.

Lt. Col. Jason Priddle, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's chief of safety, is pleased with the update.

"Our newest airfield driving program, as pioneered by the Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, is yet another step toward making this the safest airbase in the theater. The safety community can't be more thrilled with the initiative."