Comment: This article was also on today's Air and Space report -- this is horrific -- a tough read.
Personal Opinion: Sadly, the Air Force is a culture that does not allow for mistakes. Going for mental health counseling is viewed as a weakness / mistake and a career killer. This has got to change. I lost a dear friend to suicide -- none of us knew what he was going through -- none of us had a hint he was going to and did "take control" of his situation the only way he saw as a way to stop it. He hung himself. He was in a job that demanded perfection. He put on a perfect front. We in No Way saw this coming. My biggest regret in my career.
https://theintercept.com/2025/10/27/air-force-suicide-deaths-maintainers/
Austin Campbell
October 27 2025, 6:00 a.m.
Quote:
Data The Intercept obtained via the Freedom of Information Act shows that of the 2,278 active-duty Air Force deaths between 2010 and 2023, 926 — about 41 percent — were suicides, overdoses, or preventable deaths from high-risk behavior in a decade when combat deaths were minimal.
This is the first published detailed breakdown of Air Force suicide data. The dataset obtained by The Intercept, formatted in an Excel spreadsheet, lists airmen’s deaths by unique markers known as Air Force Specialty Code and cause, including medical conditions, accidents, overdoses, and violent incidents. Gunshot wounds to the head and hangings appear frequently.
Quote:
Maintainers face constant exposure to chemicals, irregular schedules, and extreme noise. Fighter jets can reach 195 decibels during takeoff — far above the Air Force’s hearing conservation limits of 85 decibels over eight hours on shift and the 140-decibel threshold for impulsive noise, which are brief bursts of sound powerful enough to cause instant hearing damage. Even with double hearing protection, vibrations can shake internal organs.
Quote:
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24-hour support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or for those close to them, by chat, text, or telephone. Service members can dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Military and Veterans Crisis Line. Support is free and confidential.
