Altus AFB engages in SAPR stand-down day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Klynne Pearl Serrano
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Altus AFB held a sexual assault prevention and response stand-down day June 21 to stress the importance of dignity, trust and respect for fellow Airmen.

The stand-down day, mandated by the Secretary of Defense, consisted of a Wing-wide commander's call, a motivational run on the flightline and individual unit training sessions.

As Col. Anthony Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, addressed the wing, he focused on the importance of a culture of respect which enables Airmen to safely and effectively accomplish the mission.

"There is zero tolerance for sexual assault, sexual harassment or reprisal," Krawietz said. "There is no way we can do what we do every day on this base without each and every one of you being at one hundred percent, ready to go, full up, a part of the team."

Krawietz emphasized the stand-down day was not to point fingers, but to inspire awareness, camaraderie and mutual respect. "This isn't a witch hunt--it's about making the right decisions, because we all know what right looks like," he said.

Following the wing all-call, squadrons met individually for brief group discussions before being marshaled down the flightline by Krawietz, running past C-17 Globemaster III's and KC-135 Stratotankers, the heart of the 97th AMW mission.

The goal for the SAPR stand-down day was to directly engage in the promotion of awareness and prevention of sexual assault, and to stress the importance of mutual respect and dignity among the ranks.

Military leaders from every level encourage Airmen to not be part of the problem, but to be part of the solution. "Every Airman, every single one of you, deserves to be treated with respect," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "All of us are responsible for creating a climate where that's the expectation."

For information about the SAPR program, contact the 97th AMW Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at 481-7428.