BIDDLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Pa. —Airmen and civilian employees assigned to the 111th Attack Wing participated in a TAG Safety Stand Down at Biddle Air National Guard Base on May 28, 2026, emphasizing risk management, occupational safety and life-saving preparedness across the force.
The annual stand down provided personnel an opportunity to pause day-to-day operations and focus on training designed to strengthen readiness both on and off duty. Sessions throughout the day included CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification, ergonomics, motorcycle safety, mishap prevention and workplace safety awareness.
The event mirrored safety stand downs conducted across the Pennsylvania National Guard and reinforced the importance of creating a culture of safety that extends beyond the workplace and into everyday life. For many Airmen, the CPR and AED training served as a reminder that emergency response skills are valuable regardless of career field.
“Whether you're at the front gate or working in a back office, emergencies can happen anywhere,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Despirito, assigned to the 111th Security Forces Squadron. “It's beneficial regardless of who you are, what rank you are, or what job you have.”
Despirito, who attended the training as a refresher, said the instruction reinforced skills that could save lives both on and off the installation.
“Even as a refresher course, I'm still learning new things each time,” Despirito said. “As someone who instructs first aid and CPR, I'm going to pass this on to my troops as well.”
The training highlighted how emergency preparedness remains a shared responsibility among all Airmen, regardless of specialty.
“This skill is always good to have,” Despirito said. “It provides the possibility of saving someone's life.” Other sessions focused on workplace habits and occupational hazards that can affect long-term health and mission readiness.
Tech. Sgt. Michael Rich, assigned to the 201st RED HORSE Squadron, said the stand down provided an important opportunity for Airmen to step away from normal operations and refocus on safety fundamentals. “In a job like ours, safety is life and death,” Rich said. “We work with heavy equipment, construction, welding and projects that can be super unsafe if you're not paying attention.”
Rich said one of the ergonomics sessions stood out because it addressed injuries and strain caused by everyday workplace habits that often go unnoticed.
“It's a lot of things you don't think about all too often — the way you sit, the way you lift something, your posture, where your screens are,” Rich said. “You don't realize how much it affects you until weeks later when you start feeling that strain.”
According to Rich, the stand down reinforced the importance of deliberate safety practices across all Air Force specialties.
“The TAG Safety Stand Down is a good chance to take a step back, get out from the shops and work sites, and really hammer down on the importance of keeping yourself and others safe,” he said.
Master Sgt. Scott A. Burr, occupational safety manager for the 111th Attack Wing, said the event supports the wing's commitment to maintaining a culture where safety directly contributes to mission success and Airman well-being.
“At the 111th Attack Wing, safety is not a priority, but rather the standard that drives our readiness and resiliency,” Burr said. “It promotes a culture where Airmen can be safe, but also significant.”
The annual stand down reflected the Pennsylvania National Guard's continued commitment to accident prevention, force readiness and ensuring Airmen remain prepared to protect themselves, their teammates and their communities.