A Holiday Message Published Nov. 23, 2011 By Gen. William L. Shelton Commander, Air Force Space Command PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Linda and I send our warmest wishes to you and your families for this holiday season. We hope you'll take advantage of the long weekends, maybe take some leave and use the time to relax and recharge. That said, as members of the AFSPC family, our well wishes come with words of caution. As you make your holiday plans, please ensure risk management is a priority. Historically, 15-20 of our AFSPC teammates are injured in November and December and that's 15-20 too many. I know we can do better - proper preparation and a good wingman can help keep us all safe. The holiday season means holiday parties. Have fun, but do not drink and drive. If you do, you are a danger to yourself and others and I have no tolerance for this behavior. As you travel, the rapidly changing winter weather in your local area can present challenges even for the most veteran drivers. Every year, automobile accidents take more Air Force lives than any other activity. Make sure you have the basics in your vehicle in case of emergency. Ensure you keep your full attention focused on the road as you drive. You know you should buck up. There is no excuse not to. The summer, Air Force Space Command reduced accidents by 25 percent. That trend is the beat I've seen and the best in a decade for the Command. Let's put the same effort into the 2011 Holiday Season and enjoy the activities cooler weather brings, but be safe and take care of each other! Have a happy and safe holiday Season.