Dragons, Mustangs stand together against sexual assault

Published April 10, 2013
By Capt. Edward Ellingson, Spc. Shawn Denham
35th ADA Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE , Republic of Korea -- In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, two senior leaders came together to pledge their organizations' commitment in a show of solidarity that crossed service component lines here April 1.

Army Col. Eric Sanchez, commander of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and Air Force Col. Patrick McKenzie, commander of the 51st Fighter Wing, signed a proclamation in a public ceremony held at the Osan Base Exchange.

"Our most valuable asset is our war fighter, and our war fighters have made great strides in eliminating sexual assault," the declaration reads. "But even as we reflect on the progress we have made, we continue our effort to prevent this crime, care for survivors and build an environment that is free of sexual assault."

The proclamation condemned sexual assault and harassment while charging service members to work and motivate each other to end the trend.

"When we have an assault, it tears at the core of what we're about," said Sanchez. "It breaks up the team, it breaks up the trust that we're committed to have."

Every day is sexual assault and harassment awareness day to him, Sanchez said.

"[The proclamation] is about readiness and our ability to fight tonight," said McKenzie. "Take care of one another, be strong together and we will root out this cancer that lives [among us]."

Nationally, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the observance is intended to raise awareness of the problem and to promote active prevention, according to the Department of Defense's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response website.

"When a Soldier is assaulted or harassed, it affects everyone," said Sgt. 1st Class Matondo Tandu, 35th ADA Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention representative.

The theme for this year's SAAM is, "We own it...We'll solve it...Together," said the SAPR website.

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