Safety: Keep the odds in your favor Published Sept. 3, 2009 By By Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Jr. Commander, 45th Space Wing PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Safety: Keep the odds in your favor By Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Jr. Commander, 45th Space Wing Safety. You are probably wondering how many times you are going to hear that word. Well, I'll tell you right up front so there is no doubt whatsoever in your mind: often. In case you didn't get the news, five Airmen died over the weekend. Five. Two died in automobile accidents, one on a motorcycle, one drowned and one died in a private plane crash. Accidents don't care what race you are, what sex, what age or what rank. Two Airmen, two NCO's and a Lieutenant Colonel are no longer with us. Like I've said before - and will certainly say time and time again - we need to stop and think before we put ourselves - and others - in dangerous situations. No one can prevent accidents from happening, but we do have the ability to put ourselves in the safest positions possible by being smart. And that's by being smart about where you are, what you are doing and when you are doing it. It only takes a split second for something to happen that can change your life - and the lives of your loved ones - forever. Don't take any stupid chances. Don't talk on your cell phone while driving - either on- or off-base. Keep the odds in your favor. Please. On a different note, I want to tell you how impressed I was by the spirit and enthusiasm you showed during the ORI in-brief Monday morning in the theatre. As your commander, it made me proud to see that big a crowd early on a Monday morning be that vocal and that much ready for the inspection process we'll be going through over the next few weeks. I am now even more sure of you than ever that you have the "right stuff." Have a great - and safe - holiday weekend. And look out for one another. That's what Wingmen do.