Risk Management Magazine

Safety is paramount in the military, especially when operating in extreme environments. As Soldiers, we train rigorously to ensure that we can handle anything nature throws at us. But sometimes, even the best training can’t prevent unexpected emergencies.

If you took your eyes off the aircraft in front of you, it was very difficult to reacquire it. The ground was covered with snow with little contrast, and the sky was overcast. It was snowing heavily, which produced a dangerous whiteout condition.

So, there I was with my head sticking out of the top of a Stryker. I was new to the unit and had never commanded a Stryker before — let alone in the middle of winter with ice covering everything. What could go wrong?