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NEWS | March 30, 2006

‘Here, hold my beer. Watch this!’

By Matthew R. Weir 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

“Here, hold my beer. Watch this!” is not the personal risk management that the commander of Air Combat Command is looking for.

“More than ever, military members are participating in extreme sports and high-risk activities,” said Gen. Ronald Keys. “We need to make sure we know who our risk takers are and continue to remind everyone that we need to prepare for high-risk activities with the same professional preparation we use on-duty.”

The ACC commander isn’t endorsing people to find extreme sports and try them, he is telling those that do to be safe.

Heeding the safety creed, Master Sgt. Matthew Faulkner can boast that in all his years of skiing, he has never been seriously hurt.

“I’ve had my share of spills,” he said, “but nothing that I couldn’t get up from, catch my breath and keep on going.”

Sergeant Faulkner has been an avid skier for more than 17 years. He started as a cross-country skier, but when he learned the thrill of speed in 1991 he decided downhill was the way to go. Some of the best conditions he ever saw were during the six years he was stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany.

“I stayed safe by never skiing above my level,” he said. “I followed the signs and stayed on courses I was qualified for.”

Airman Scott Aldridge, 1st Communications Squadron, is a wing daredevil. On weekends, he takes out his dirt bike to the track and races other riders around hairpin turns, across moguls and over large jumps.

Still, he keeps his safety in mind.

Before every ride, he gives the bike a once-over, makes sure the tires are inflated, checks the shocks, the throttle and the brakes. Then he puts on his gloves, boots, other pads and, most importantly, his helmet.

“I never ride without my helmet, that’s just too risky,” Airman Aldridge said. “I also never ride fast on a course I can’t handle, and I never ride on a course I haven’t checked out.”

These are the kind of safety examples that the 1st Fighter Wing commander is looking for. As a cadet, Brig. Gen. Burt Field took risks playing rugby for the Air Force Academy.

“Rugby can be a dangerous sport,” the general said. “But I assessed my risks prior to the start of each match -- was I in good enough shape to play, was I properly warmed up, did I know how to tackle so that I would not hurt myself or my opponent -- and I no longer play.”

He asks the 1st Fighter Wing Airmen to do the same.

“Think before you act. We are fighting a war and we need YOU, either here or in the AOR,” said General Field. “Wear the proper gear if you participate in an ‘extreme’ activity. Take a wingman with you and both of you take risks prudently.”