Yokota earns four AF-level safety awards for 2011 Published May 11, 2012 By Senior Airman Katrina R. Menchaca 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Congratulations to Team Yokota for earning four 2011 Air Force-level safety awards. "Safety awards differ from a lot of the other awards out there because they require a full team effort to win. Capturing these particularly coveted Air Force and Pacific Air Forces-level awards spotlights how Yokota has imbued daily operations with General Schwartz's vision of an Air Force culture of safety," said Lt. Col. Jeff Kingsley, 374th Airlift Wing chief of safety. He went on to say, "From the wing commander making safety a priority, to the commander of the 459th Airlift Squadron, Lt. Col. Eugene Capone, stressing the importance of operating safely as a mission multiplier, Team Yokota's efforts ensure the preservation of our people and equipment, ensuring the 374th AW stays true to our motto: Celeriter Pugnare (Swiftly to Fight)." The 374th AW has won both the PACAF Flight Safety trophy and the Explosive Safety Plaque awarded for zero Class A/B/C/D weapons-related explosive mishaps/accidents for more than 30 years. The Yokota Aero Club was awarded an Aero Club Safety Certificate. This award promotes aviation safety and is awarded to Air Force Aero Clubs for flight safety achievements. Due to Yokota's outstanding programs and zero mishaps during 2011, the Yokota Aero Club has been recognized as one of the best Air Force aero clubs in the world. The 459th AS earned the System of Cooperation Among the Air Force of the Americas Flight Safety Award. This award promotes safety in the Air Force by recognizing worldwide flight safety accomplishments. This award (trophy) travels all over the world, year to year, to include Europe, the continental U.S., and the Pacific region. The SICOFAA was first awarded in 1976 and this is the second time, ever, it was awarded to a unit in PACAF.