AFMC-level safety awards captured Published Nov. 29, 2016 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Air Force Materiel Command officials announced earlier this month that the 66th Air Base Group Safety Office and 66th Force Support Squadron Aero Club here have captured command-level safety awards. Master Sgt. Ryan M. Dillingham is the command's Safety Career Professional of the Year Award recipient; the Hanscom safety office reaped the Outstanding Achievement Award for Occupational Safety, also known as the best safety office (small category) in the command; and the 66th Force Support Squadron’s Aero Club garnered an Aero Club Safety Certificate. Safety Career Professional of the Year This award recognizes a safety individual for “outstanding contributions to the Air Force safety program.” “Sergeant Dillingham effectively managed several base safety programs that resulted in the reduction of overall mishaps at Hanscom Air Force Base,” said Galen Williams, Hanscom’s safety director. “Throughout the year, he conducted more than 80 workplace inspections across the installation that resulted in the identification of more than 70 critical hazards, many of which were resolved quickly.” Additionally, Dillingham led more than 45 mishap investigations on the installation. “He was able to determine the root cause of these mishaps and provide senior leaders in that organization critical feedback to prevent future mishaps,” Williams said. Dillingham is the NCO in charge of occupational safety. He will now represent AFMC at the Air Force level. Outstanding Achievement Award for Occupational Safety This award recognizes effective installation-level occupational safety programs, which includes safety performance and achievements. “The safety office managed a highly-successful SharePoint site that saw its use increase by more than 150 percent,” Williams said. “The site was an Air Force best practice and promoted by the safety career field manager.” Other accomplishments noted in the write up for the award include an office safety education program that resulted in a “sustained five percent mishap reduction goal.” “The award highlights the work of everyone in the office,” Williams said. “And we will continue to cultivate a ‘safety always’ mindset for the entire Hanscom community and geographically separated units.” Hanscom’s safety office will now compete at the Air Force level. Aero Club Safety Certificate Award The Hanscom Air Force Base Aero Club fostered an assertive and proactive flight safety program that resulted in zero incidents during 900 sorties totaling more than 1,200 hours of flight time. “The Hanscom Aero Club’s safety theme for the year was ‘Be Prepared,’” said Frederick Thomas, 66 FSS director. “This mindset is what sets the Hanscom Aero Club apart from all the others.” The Aero Club will now compete with other major command Aero Clubs for best in the Air Force, an award the club captured last year.