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AFSOUTH conducts mishap safety seminar in Argentina

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sarah Schwennesen
  • 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Safety Office recently conducted a Regional Mishap Investigation Workshop in Argentina from Aug. 9-13, as part of an annual AFSOUTH safety seminar series. This subject matter exchange between partner nations focused on promoting dialogue and sharing information.

In lieu of a large annual safety symposium with partner nations from South and Central America and the Caribbean, this year's smaller engagement enabled the Airman-to-Airman exchange of experiences and skills with 16 safety representatives from the 'Southern Cone' countries of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, the United States and Uruguay.

Most countries in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility request U.S. Air Force assistance for mishap investigations, due in part to the high cost of training and course availability of the Air Force International Flight Safety Officer course held at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The Regional Mishap Investigation Workshop, which was conducted in Spanish, helped to train safety representatives so that they are able to independently conduct effective mishap investigations.

The seminar was based on materials from the U.S. Air Force Safety Center's International Flight Mishap Course and shared how the U.S. conducts investigations, prepares reports and documents the process. The seminar promoted discussion on how each country handles investigations, the laws, rules and constraints of each, and how techniques from each country might be adapted to other programs.

As a capstone to the seminar, on the final day, participants were given background materials on a simulated helicopter crash and had to prepare initial materials from a mishap investigation, to include timeline, causes and recommendations.

Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, 12th AF (AFSOUTH) commander said, "This type of multi-national workshop improves the performance and safety of all our air forces, which helps to ensure the safety and security of each participating nation. The Airmen of the US Air Force are proud to be part of any collaborative effort with our friends in Argentina."