Leadership stresses Wingman Concept to prevent future DUI charges

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With an increase in drinking and driving incidents, Edwards leadership held a mandatory enlisted call Jan. 29 in the base theater.
 
Since the start of 2008, four Airmen have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. 

"Four DUIs are four too many," said Col. Bryan Gallagher, 95th Air Base Wing commander. "We are heading down a road that we do not need to be heading down." 

Colonel Gallagher and 412th Test Wing commander, Col. Arnie Bunch, spoke to the Airmen about the Wingman Concept. 

"We cannot complete the mission if we are losing Airmen to DUIs," Colonel Bunch said. "We need to remember the wingman culture." 

Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, 95th Air Base Wing command chief, said that if Airmen decide to drive under the influence and think that it's OK, they are wearing the wrong uniform. 

Airman should use Airman Against Drunk Driving, Chief Lewis said. 

The AADD program provides a free, anonymous ride to all servicemembers, Department of Defense civilians, base contractors and family members. Pick-up areas include Edwards, Rosamond, Lancaster, Tehachapi, Mojave, Palmdale and California City.
 
The Edwards Wingman Concept is not working as well as it should, Chief Lewis said.
 
"Every one of our DUIs this past month could have been prevented if someone would have been a wingman," he said. "We need to start having the courage to take away the keys of those who are drinking."

Currently, getting a DUI in California costs the responsible offender a minimum of $3,000. Those fees can range up to about $8,000.

Cost is the least of our concerns, Chief Lewis said. 

"If Airmen choose to drink and drive, not only are they are putting their life at risk, but the lives of others as well," Chief Lewis said. 

Edwards Airmen also witnessed the Edwards Blue Eagles Honor Guard perform a funeral detail to remind Airmen of the consequences of driving under the influence.

"We do not want to wait for the day that we have to stand if front of this theater with a photo of someone -- who has just died -- because he made a bad choice to drive," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Soltis, 412th Test Wing command chief.

Airmen Against Drunk Driving can be reached 24 hours a day at 275-AADD or 277-AADD.