Barksdale's distinct August safety winners

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2nd Bomb Wing Safety Office announced their August Safety Award of Distinction recipients.

The 2d Security Forces Squadron and Master Sgt. Anthony Kloehr, 2nd Communications Squadron earned recognition for the Unit Safety Award and Ground Safety Award respectively.

Airmen assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing are eligible to compete for seven different safety awards hosted by the Eighth Air Force monthly. Those awards include the Crew Chief Safety, Flight Line Safety, Ground Safety, Pilot Safety, Unit Safety, Weapons Safety and Aircrew Safety Awards.

"These awards highlight the everyday professionalism of our personnel -- active duty, reserve or civilian," said Lt. Col. Jonpaul Mickle, 2 SFS commander.

During the June-July time-frame, units from the 2 SFS performed several outstanding accomplishments. Combat arms training and maintenance along with the armory, performed weapons safety training to more than 400 Civil Air Patrol and Air Force Junior ROTC members. Four hundred fifty-one Airmen from across the base were also trained on six different firearms, expending more than 49,000 live rounds. The K-9 section also conducted 14 military working dog demonstrations both on and off base.

"The squadron was also evaluated on two nuclear operation readiness exercises and an inspection during this time," Colonel Mickle said. "With more than 200 defenders on the job, totaling 33,600 man hours, in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, we were able to ensure the security of weapons and were given the rating of 'Excellent' by the Air Force Global Strike Command Inspector General."

Police units continued to enforce traffic safety standards by issuing more than 230 moving violation tickets, responding to 45 traffic accidents and an average of six calls for service each day.

Even with a high operations tempo, the 2nd SFS took time to train with 38 students graduating the Blue Coach Tactics program after firing more than 21,000 blanks and 111 explosive simulators, all without injury or incident.

"Even with just a 30-day snapshot of normal operations, we continue to strive to keep Barksdale a pillar of safety for its residents," Colonel Mickle said.

Though the 2 SFS performed exceptionally well as a group, Sergeant Kloehr took an individual award, performing a large feat on his own.

After observing a vehicle accident between an 18-wheeler and a passenger car on his way home from work June 24, Sergeant Kloehr took immediate action.

"I was pulling over and dialing 911 before the passenger car had even stopped moving from the impact," he said.

Sergeant Kloehr immediately assessed the scene to make sure it was safe for him to continue any further. He then attended to the three women in the car, asking them about any injury or pain. While still talking to emergency services on his cell phone, he kept the women calm and directed traffic around the scene.

"The front passenger seemed to be in shock, and I knew the other two victims were shook up as well," Sgt. Kloehr said. "I needed to keep them in the vehicle, out of any further harm's way, because we're sitting in the middle of three-lane traffic downtown."

Sergeant Kloehr was able to safely keep the scene calm and direct emergency responders to the scene without incident.

"Without a doubt, my 15 years of military training definitely helped me in this emergency situation," Sergeant Kloehr said. "Everything just clicked. I never hesitated when it came to immediately calling for help, to assessing the scene and then taking control of the situation. We're taught to take action, and I did just that."

After emergency responders and the police arrived, Sergeant Kloehr gave a report identifying the individuals and vehicles involved and the state of the victims. After the scene was taken over by the police, Sergeant Kloehr left, knowing his particular job was done.

"These are just two examples of the awesome work being performed by the 2nd Bomb Wing personnel daily," said Col. Timothy Fay, 2 BW commander. "It is an honor and privilege to serve with each of you, and thank you for what you do every day."

For more information about the monthly safety awards and submitting applicants, contact Debbie Brown via e-mail at deborah.brown.CTR@barksdale.af.mil or DSN 331-1142.