Team Edwards 'Saves A Life'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To deter base personnel from driving under the influence of alcohol, the Air Force Flight Test Center Safety office hosted the National Save A Life Tour at the Base Theater March 20.

The Save A Life Tour is an annual event developed to teach people about the effects of alcohol.

"We want people to know what it's like to drive under the influence while they're sober," Chris Geysbek, Save A Life Tour manager. "Not just so they can think before they drink and drive, but also to prevent their friends from doing it as well."

To provide a better understanding of the risks involved with drinking and driving, a video of real-life tragedies was shown to begin the briefing. Participants also had the opportunity to operate a drunk driving simulator. It allowed them to feel the differences in reaction time one would experience if driving under the influence.

"The (driving) simulator was challenging," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Brejcha, 412th Test Wing command chief. "I felt as if I was in control but the differences in reaction time made it nearly impossible to maneuver the vehicle."

The Save A Life Tour was open to all of Team Edwards. However, attendance was mandatory for Edwards military personnel who are 26 and under.

"Statistically, people ages 26 and under are most likely to get DUIs, so we're focusing this toward them," said Col. Nancy Reeves-Flores, 95th Air Base Wing vice commander. "For those of you here today who don't drink, that's good, but you're a wingman to your fellow Airmen and you should still find this information to be beneficial."

The Save A Life tour visited the base in an attempt to reach out to base personnel prior to the 101 critical days of summer, which begins May 25.

"We wanted to have this event prior to the start of the 101 critical days of summer," Al Lederman, Air Force Flight Test Center Safety Office safety specialist. "This is to emphasize not drinking and driving. We want Airmen to know, when they're out and they've had a few drinks to have a sense of responsibility and not get behind the wheel." 

Mr. Geysbek advised everyone what to do to prevent traffic tickets and "Save A Life."

"Be there for your friends," he said. "Take their keys and save their life."