An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

ARTICLE SEARCH

Airmen Against Drunk Driving plan even more saves for 2014

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Jordan Pollock
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Airmen Against Drunk Driving program continues to be successful when Airmen face adversity in tight situations.

Finishing 2013 with more than 300 saves, AADD volunteers plan to make 2014 just as strong by providing Airmen a safe and anonymous free ride home if they are confronted with alcohol related situations preventing them from getting home safely.

"It is a great program out there that gives Airmen a safe way to get home," said Senior Airman Jessica Kurtzman, AADD outreach coordinator. "It saves an Airman from calling their supervisor or commander for a ride home when other plans do not work out."

AADD provides service on weekends and certain holidays from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Drivers will pick up members from Team Fairchild anywhere within a 30 mile vicinity of the base.
Calls remain 100 percent anonymous and the names of those who use the service will not be released under any circumstances.

"The easiest way to sum up the AADD program would be to describe it as a program that has no better way to be a wingman to your fellow Airmen," said Master Sgt. Wayne Theunissen, 92nd Medical Group First Sergeant. "It epitomizes what we talk about every day, which is Airmen taking care of Airmen."

Each week an email is sent out to ask for volunteers through the first sergeants and First Four Airmen. Interested volunteers just have to respond to the email in order to be a driver for AADD and volunteers can be any rank, age and even civilians can volunteer.

"I volunteer because it is my way to make a difference," said Senior Airman Charlene Cole, AADD volunteer. "It's free, it's anonymous and if someone is in a bind, it is the best option to prevent a horrible situation."

The important thing to remember is to have a plan, but just in case that plan does not work, AADD is always an option to get home safely. Anyone needing services can call the AADD hotline at (509) 389-2194.