Maj. Gen. Wendell L. Griffin assumes command of the Air Force Safety Center here Published July 30, 2007 KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Maj. Gen. Wendell L. Griffin became the Air Force chief of Safety, and, in this dual-hatted position, he also assumed command of the Air Force Safety Center here. He develops, executes and evaluates all Air Force aviation, ground, weapons, space and system mishap-prevention and nuclear surety programs to preserve combat readiness. Before assuming his current positions, which report directly to the chief of staff, General Griffin was the director of Global Reach Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. In that position, he was responsible to the Air Force acquisition executive for airlift, air refueling, training and special operations programs. General Griffin entered the Air Force in 1976, through the ROTC program at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. His flying assignments include serving as a B-1 and B-52 aircraft commander, instructor pilot and evaluator aircraft commander. He is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours, including nearly 100 combat hours in Operation Enduring Freedom. In December 2001, General Griffin deployed to command the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing, leading 1,600 people supporting the B-1, KC-135, RC-135 and E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, he became the first general to fly the B-1 into combat. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and the Bronze Star Medal.