Bird's Eye View: AADD gets new sign, phone number

  • Published
  • By Col. H. Brent Baker Sr.
  • 95th Air Base Wing commander
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  At the intersection of Lancaster and FitzGerald boulevards, you may have noticed a new sign for Airmen Against Drunk Driving. 

The sign serves several purposes. The most important among them is communicating that every person on this base has an opportunity to avoid a driving under the influence arrest by calling AADD. The number posted on the sign shows how many people have made the right choice before getting in the car after an evening of drinking. 

So far, we have had two saves this year, but this number is disappointingly small in comparison to the number of Team Edwards members who have made the wrong choice and were arrested for a DUI. That total is three. 

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which has been working hard to educate the American public since 1980, more than 13,000 people per year are killed by drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content above the legal limit of .08. 

I'm still amazed that after 27 years of public service announcements and awareness campaigns, there are still people on our base who think they are exempt from tragedy. When you are drunk and get into a car, you are playing Russian roulette with your life and the lives of everyone else on the road. 

I've said it before, but it's worth repeating. Whether you are military, civilian, dependent or just a visitor to the base, drinking and driving is completely incompatible with the Air Force. 

Before going out for a night of drinking, have a plan ready on how you're going to get home. When you aren't able to reach your wingman, give AADD a call. Someone will pick you up and drop you off at home, no questions asked. It's a free service that can save your life and career. 

AADD can be reached at their new numbers: 277-AADD or 275-AADD.

AFAF campaign begins 

The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicked off Monday and runs through April 27. 

The campaign provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute money to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction. 

Contributions can be made to the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund in San Antonio, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. 

Every penny contributed through the AFAF campaign will go to the charities you designate, and they are tax deductible. 

If you haven't contributed to the Air Force Assistance Fund yet, I encourage you to talk to your AFAF unit representative for more details on how you can help your fellow Airmen in need.