PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Safety is the foundation of every successful operation, and few exemplify that principle better than U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony Necker, Space Launch Delta 45 noncommissioned officer in charge of occupational safety. Through leadership, dedication and a steadfast focus on workplace well-being, Necker has earned the title of Air Force Occupational Safety Career Professional of the Year.
For Necker, safety is not about creating obstacles. Instead, it’s about helping personnel accomplish their missions while ensuring they have the tools, training and knowledge needed to do so safely.
“We don't want to stop you guys from working,” Necker said. “We want you guys to be able to continue doing what you're doing, but obviously in a safer mindset.”
While safety professionals often must evaluate risks and identify concerns, Necker believes their true purpose is supporting the workforce and protecting personnel.
“What we do is ensure that they're equipped with the safest means of doing their job, whether that's personal protective equipment or the knowledge and know-how of what they're getting involved with,” he explained.
Throughout his career, Necker has focused on finding practical solutions to challenges facing the workforce.
One of his most notable accomplishments involved revitalizing and modernizing the installation’s range program. After identifying concerns with training processes, communication and equipment availability, Necker worked alongside partners across the base to create significant improvements.
“I look at it as how can I do better, and I take pride in that,” he said.
The range required recertification, equipment was limited and participation opportunities were constrained. Through sustained effort and collaboration, Necker helped transform the program.
“We're saving the base $90,000 a year with contract fees because we have volunteers,” Necker said. “It's grown so much that we've had all branches of the DoD even coming out and reaching out to utilize our range.”
Necker credits much of his success to collaboration and mentorship. He specifically recognized the influence of his predecessor, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Anthony Utreras De Souza, who encouraged him to compete for professional recognition and helped showcase the impact of his work.
“He did everything he could to make sure that package really knocked it out of the park,” he said.
Upon learning he had been selected as the Air Force Occupational Safety Career Professional of the Year, Necker said he was both surprised and humbled. With a career field of 300-plus great safety professionals, it is an esteemed honor to be recognized as the top military safety professional.
Despite the recognition, Necker remains focused on the future of the profession and expanding safety's role across the Air and Space Force.
Looking ahead, he hopes to see safety professionals spend even more time embedded with operational units, building relationships and gaining an understanding of mission requirements firsthand.
He envisions a safety team leaving cubicles and stepping into units to understand more about what they can do to help.
His commitment to mission-focused safety is especially important as operations continue to expand.
“As the launch cadence and the mission really spin up here, safety is going to be paramount,” he said.
For Necker, the award is not simply recognition of past achievements; it is a reflection of a philosophy centered on service, innovation and continuous improvement. Whether modernizing training programs, mentoring future safety professionals or helping Airmen and Guardians accomplish their missions more safely, he remains committed to leaving every program stronger than he found it.