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Each April, the Department of Defense recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, or SAAPM. For the Steel Airmen of the 911th Airlift Wing, this month serves as more than just a campaign—it reinforces the Air Force Core Values and the Warrior Ethos that drive mission success.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) is recognized in April by both civilian and military communities. The 911th AW observes SAAPM by focusing on creating the appropriate culture to eliminate sexual assault and requiring a personal commitment from all service members.
The 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month theme is “STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate.” The STEP FORWARD campaign is a call to action for all individuals to use their personal and collective strength to advance meaningful change in preventing and responding to sexual violence. All members are asked to take a "Step Forward" to highlight the power of acts that can bolster prevention, increase reporting, and promote advocacy for a safer military community. The people, values, and mission readiness of 911th AW, the Air Force and its sister branches are all intertwined. By tackling the shared factors contributing to harmful behaviors, healthier command climates are fostered, readiness and mission execution are enhanced, and teammates are protected from harm.
Sexual assault is a crime that not only harms the individual but also undermines the strength of a unit. The Air Force Reserve's commitment to building a culture of dignity and respect starts with recognizing that every Airman deserves to feel safe, valued, and protected—both on and off duty.
“The strength of our team lies in trust,” said Nora Patterson, 911th Airlift Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and SAPR Program Manager. “That trust is built when we stand together against sexual assault and hold ourselves accountable for the culture we create.”
SAAPM is an opportunity to educate and empower Airmen at every level. Through unit engagements, prevention training, and base-wide awareness events, the 911th AW reaffirms its zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault and continues to foster a climate where all members can thrive.
This initiative aligns directly with the Warrior Ethos, a cornerstone of military identity that emphasizes integrity, resilience, and commitment. Preventing sexual assault also reinforces unit cohesion, preserves readiness, and ensures all Steel Airmen can serve without fear. Trust, mutual respect, and holding one another to high standards form the bedrock of unit strength and operational success.
The “Three D’s” of Sexual Assault Prevention—Direct, Distract, and Delegate—serve as practical strategies Steel Airmen can use to intervene safely and effectively when witnessing situations that could lead to sexual assault. Being direct means addressing the behavior head-on; distraction involves creating a diversion to diffuse a situation; and delegation calls on others—such as leadership or authorities—for help. These simple, everyday actions help build a climate where dignity and respect are the norm.
The fight to eliminate sexual assault is also part of a broader effort to rebuild the military into a more disciplined and resilient force. By embodying the Air Force Core Values—Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do—Airmen strengthen not only themselves but the entire force. A disciplined culture of respect and accountability builds a team capable of executing missions with precision and pride.
“Caring for each other is a combat multiplier,” said Patterson. “When our people feel secure and respected, they perform at their highest level. That’s how we stay mission ready.”
Reestablishing deterrence on a global scale begins with credibility at home. Safeguarding the nation starts with ensuring the safety of those in uniform. A force that protects its own demonstrates a culture of strength and accountability that reflects positively on the military’s reputation and resolve.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month challenges every Steel Airman to lead by example. Whether by intervening when something seems wrong, supporting a survivor, or starting a conversation, each action reinforces a culture where every Airman can serve with honor.
For those in need of support, the 911th AW Sexual Assault Response Office is available 24/7 and can be reached at (412) 389-1963.
The 911th Airlift Wing remains committed to building a force defined not only by strength and readiness, but by mutual respect and unwavering resolve.
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2025 10:17 |
| Story ID: | 495667 |
| Location: | PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Steel Airmen recognize SAAPM as part of the Warrior Ethos, by Jeffrey Grossi, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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