Let a wingman drive you home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura Max
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Since January 1 Airmen Against Drunk Driving has provided safe transportation to, and possibly saved the lives of, more than 150 members of Eielson. 

Eielson Airmen sacrifice their personal time every Friday and Saturday night to provide a safe ride home to those who may have had too much to drink, offering them an alternative to drinking and driving. 

AADD is anonymous and free-- the only information given is a brief description of what the caller looks like, where they need to be picked up, and where they want to be dropped off. The AADD dispatcher will also keep track of the information for the driver's safety. The driver must keep verbal contact with Charge of Quarters to keep them informed of the status of the ride and to advise when the driver is safely back on base. 

Airman 1st Class Joshua Powell is the AADD scheduler and has volunteered with AADD since June 2008, working CQ, keeping logs, and finding sponsors for the program. 

"I have lost a loved one and have had friends injured from drunk drivers," said Airman Powell. "I don't want to see anyone hurt." 

The program runs from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights-- as long as there are volunteers to man the phones and drivers to pick up callers. The program also runs extended hours for long weekends and wing events like the Air Force Gala. 

Any government employee or dependents of the Icemen team can volunteer. The names of volunteers are given monthly to the Airman & Family Readiness Center where volunteers' hours are logged and the number of people they've picked up are counted as lives they have saved. 

"The number of hours you log adds up quickly," said Airman Powell. "I originally joined the program because people were leaving and without volunteers, the program does not run."

Tech. Sgt. Jeff Molina, Vice President of AADD, makes it his job to ensure there are enough drivers for the weekend. 

"I take pride in giving back to the community," said Sergeant Molina, "by making sure someone has made the right decision by not drinking and driving." 

He publicizes the program on base with slideshows at Commanders' Calls, as well as briefings at the First Term Airman's Center.
Icemen can be picked up and dropped off between Salcha and the 12 Mile Road House in North Pole. Riders can be dropped off on or off base within these same areas, with no questions asked. 

The answer is simple, call 377-RIDE and let a wingman drive you home.