AADD; Your genie in the lamp

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon White
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  "The designated driver fell asleep and isn't answering their phone and it is too late to call someone else. I wish I had a ride home from the bar." 

Don't worry. Wishes come true and genies are real. 

The genies are the Airmen Against Drunk Driving volunteers, their magic carpets fly Friday and Saturday nights, and their lamp is the Detour Airman's Center. They can't grant wishes for riches or fame, but they can help people whose plans for a ride home have been caught in the quicksand. 

"Our AADD volunteers personify our Air Force core value of service before self," Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander said. "They invest their time serving and protecting our most valuable asset, our Airmen. I'm grateful for them; they live the Wingman vision we all should aspire to." 

The AADD program has been restructured to operate more effectively and more efficiently, said Master Sgt. Scott Andrews, 40th Helicopter Squadron operations superintendent. The volunteers arrive at the Detour at 8:30 p.m. and stay until approximately 5 a.m. An AADD crew is comprised of two driving teams, with a driver and safety observer in each vehicle. An additional volunteer stays at the Detour to answer calls and act as a dispatcher. 

"[Volunteers] are tired by the end of the shift," Sergeant Andrews said, "but it's rewarding for them the next morning to know they made saves." 

In the past, one volunteer took the AADD cell phone home with them and would field all the calls alone. A lone volunteer could easily be overwhelmed with phone calls or on occasion, fell asleep and not hear the on-call phone ring. The new AADD program addresses these problems, Sergeant Andrews said. 

Airman 1st Class Candes Bennett, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance and analysis technician, volunteered May 8 from 8:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. and helped four Airmen make it home safe, she said. 

"It went really well," Airman Bennett said. "We received a call and got there within 10 minutes. We checked their IDs, and got them back through the gate. It's a great opportunity to help out fellow Airmen on base." 

Airman Bennett said staying at the Detour was fun, and she had plenty of things to do while waiting for a call. 

"I played video games, got on the internet and checked my e-mail," she said. "Some people watched movies. They also had chips, soda and frozen pizzas to eat. It was a pretty good time. I plan to volunteer again, I'll be there as often as possible." 

In addition to having a more organized program in a central location that provides volunteers entertainment, the AADD program also has more volunteers to help out, said Master Sgt. William Schaal, 341st Security Forces Group standardization and evaluations superintendent. 

"We already have about 50 volunteers, so there will not be a small group of people that are over-tasked and working every weekend." 

The AADD program is looking for more volunteers from all ranks, and there is no limit to the amount of volunteers the AADD program can put to work, Sergeant Schaal said. Even if someone can't drive or does not have a vehicle, they can dispatch or ride along as a chaperone. 

Volunteers who drive are reimbursed for gas with AAFES gift cards purchased by the Cascade County DUI Task Force. The Detour sponsor has also raised its monthly contribution to assist the AADD program with any other costs it may incur. 

"Malmstrom's Airmen are charged with extreme responsibility in an extreme environment," Colonel Fortney said. "They secure and maintain the nation's most lethal weapon system with nothing less than perfection every day. Because of this, our entire nation and our Air Force count on each and every Airman to make responsible choices every day." 

To join the AADD program, contact Master Sgt. Scott Andrews at 731-4803. The AADD phone number is 788-HOME.