Airmen Against Drunk Driving relies on large pool of dependable volunteers

Published Feb. 22, 2012
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- As a young child, she watched her dad climb into the driver's seat after drinking heavily, powerless to stop him. When she turned 16 and got her driver's license, she often had to pick him up after bartenders took his keys away.

"Fortunately, he never hurt himself or anyone else, but it could have just as easily turned out otherwise," said Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Longe, who became president of the base's Airmen Against Drunk Driving chapter Feb. 1. She arrived at Keesler a year ago to be an advanced airfield management instructor in the 334th Training Squadron.

Keesler had 57 driving-under-the-influence arrests in 2011, according to Maj. Matthew Pignataro, 81st Security Forces Squadron commander. Fortunately, A2D2 recorded 306 "saves"
during the same period.

However, the success of the program is dependent on a large, dependable pool of volunteer drivers, Longe said. A2D2 currently has 200 volunteers, including military members and civilians.

"Driver volunteers are the very lifeblood of A2D2, even if they can only spare one night every few months," said Senior Airman Ashley Jordan, a bioenvironmental engineering technician in the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron and A2D2's outgoing president.

She joined the Air Force right out of high school and knew many drivers, both underage and legal drinkers, who claimed they were just "buzzed," not drunk.

"In my opinion, buzzed driving is drunk driving," Jordan said.

"The number of calls varies widely," Longe pointed out. "Some weekends are very slow with few calls; others are very busy. It's a 'feast or famine' situation. But if just a few calls mean that people are drinking responsibly and have a plan that works for them, that's a good thing."

Jordan said A2D2's free services are available from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursdays before a non-training Friday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays if Monday is a federal holiday. The boundaries for the program are U.S. Highway 90 in Gulfport on the west, U.S. Highway 57 in Gautier to the east, two miles north of Interstate 10 to the north and the south Mississippi shoreline.

Volunteers work their shifts from home and can pick and choose what days they'd like to work. Before each shift, the dispatcher does a phone check with the volunteers for the night to make sure they're still willing and able to drive.

"Most pickups are for an individual, sometimes two to four people," Longe explained. "Most pickups are from casinos or bars, but once I did a pickup at a McDonald's-- it just depends on where people find themselves without a ride.

"I believe some people may be reluctant to call A2D2 because they think they're going to get in trouble for using the program," she continued. "A2D2 is intended as a backup plan for your backup plan. We're here to help in case your wingman bails, your designated driver starts drinking or you find yourself short of cash for a taxi. It's confidential and we don't report on who has used the service."

"A2D2 is an amazing program for all Defense Department identification cardholders, including dependents and civilians," Jordan said. "It's an alternate and safe mode of transportation instead of getting behind the wheel and driving when impaired."

To request a ride, call 228-377-SAVE (7283). To volunteer or for more information, email 333trs.AADD.Keesler@us.af.mil.