Safety Surveys
Naval Safety Center Supports the Fleet Aviation Topside Survey Team
By Dan Steber
team of aviation and maintenance safety professionals from the Naval Safety Center (NSC) visit more than 90 squadrons every year. They share the knowledge and best practices found at commands around the globe during their one-day aviation safety reviews. This team is tasked to review a unit’s operations, maintenance, training, NATOPS, aeromedical, and safety programs. On recent trips to North Carolina’s MCAS Cherry Point and MCAS New River, I watched the team in action when they looked at a couple of topside programs. The team leader, LtCol. Jon MacCartney, USMC, was joined by Cdr. Don Delorey, LCdr. Jason Domzal, and Maj. Scott Nicholsen, USMC. VMM-162, the Golden Eagles, at MCAS New River, was the first command visited. As I looked around the Gold Eagles ready room, it was clear this squadron takes safety seriously. CNO Safety plaques ran down one complete wall: 1956, ‘71, ‘83, ‘90, ‘96, ‘98, ‘99, ‘00, ‘01, ‘02 and ‘03. LtCol. Karsten Heckl, commanding officer, briefed his personnel about the visit. He addressed the command’s past challenges during group and ADMAT inspections, saying, “We’ve been adamant about doing things the right way. The staff NCOs across the command are good, and they are known across the community.” Then LtCol. MacCartney introduced the team and told the CO and the command, “We’ll give you a good honest look. And when we walk away… we leave with nothing; the results stay with you.” That point has been a cornerstone of the Naval Safety Center’s surveys. The team commonly refers to it as the “white hat” approach, meaning no punitive 4
results come from the survey. The team evaluates the unit’s programs, identifies and offers fixes for problem areas, and outbriefs the squadron’s program managers and skipper. It then is up to the command to take action, fix any discrepancies, and make improvements in all areas. The survey results are not reported to the unit’s or the Center’s HHQ. Capt. Scott Shideler, 1stLt. Robert Wicker, and the DOSS, Maj. Brian Smith, worked with the Safety Center team. LCdr. Domzal led the review of the safety department. His goal was to pass along best-practice information, while conducting a thorough evaluation. He also discussed WESS, saying, “We have to get away from the thought, in reference to naval message hazreps, that ‘this is the way we always have done it.’ WESS is here to stay, and we have to complete hazard reports using WESS.” He also offered some good advice: “If you’re having problems, call your Naval Safety Center analyst. If we can’t help, we’ve got the phone numbers to people who can. Call me.” Following hours of looking at one program after another and discussing current safety objectives, Maj. Smith said, “I’m pleasantly surprised at the survey. This NSC program is a good thing, and they are here to help.” Maj. Smith added, “We’re deploying, and it’s important to get that look… a chance to step back and be objective. The survey team took time to talk with us and share the things they have seen from around the fleet. Another nice thing is that we didn’t have to shut down; we ran a normal day.” Maj. Christopher Browning and Capt. Rachel Mathes of operations worked with Maj. Nicholsen. They walked through the pilot-training process and Approach
