Driving while intoxicated: check your Wingman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  With breakup in full swing and the summer months beckoning, Icemen will no doubt get the urge to go out more--but with more activities, comes more vulnerability to first and second-hand safety.

Safety is a concern of everyday life, but with a few drinks those safety concerns are easier to disregard, and personal injury may become more imminent.

That's why it's imperative for the Wingman ethos to be reiterated; being Airmen, we're all responsible for each other, said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Ludwig, 354th Fighter Wing command chief.

"Wingmen are important for so many reasons," said Chief Ludwig. "Everyone needs a partner to help them through good times and bad."

He said that making the decision to drink and drive--or even worse, to plan it while sober--is something a good Wingman would never allow.

"Compared to last year's time frame (January to April 2007) to this year's, we've already had six times as many DUIs," said Master Sgt. Brian Fairchild, 354th Medical Operations Squadron mental health flight chief. "When comparing the first six months of the current fiscal year to the same six-month period of the previous FY, we've have 11 DUIs compared with the two the previous year."

This data captures active duty, guard and reserve component personnel.

The command chief said due to past summer month's history of more DUIs, the base populace should become aware that if one Airman lets another Airman drive while intoxicated, both are at fault.

"In my 24 years of service I have never heard of a DUI that wasn't preventable," said Chief Ludwig. "In too many cases people assume they are OK, but when they get in the driver's seat impaired they put people's lives at risk. One drink should be considered too many; it takes the guesswork out of the equation."

He said it's good to have a plan, to stick to the plan, and if that plan fails, use your safety net.

On the up side, compared to other bases in the Pacific Air Forces, Eielson has fewer DUIs, and compared to local and state statistics some would say that Eielson doesn't have a huge DUI problem.

"But even one DUI, along with its monetary and time costs, is one too many," said Sergeant Fairchild.

Sergeant Fairchild said that even driving with a slight "buzz" is considered by a national campaign as driving drunk.

"Most individuals, once they reach the point of having a 'buzz' from drinking are already well beyond the point of considering whether or not they should drive," he said. "The safest choice, if drinking, is to not drive at all; have a designated driver who agrees ahead of time to abstain from drinking. Many DUIs happen when someone failed to plan, and had no intention of drinking."

The command chief said that he's often times seen one hasty decision become a grave mistake on Airmen, who are usually very good performers.

"I have seen to many lives and careers ruined due to a simple decision," said Chief Ludwig. "No matter how simple it sounds we all need to have a plan and take being sober before we drive seriously. Have a plan, stick together, and have a great time as a team."