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AADD saves careers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adarius Petty
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Andersen's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program is an organization devoted to saving lives by being available when Airmen need them most. The AADD mission is to reduce the occurrence of alcohol-related driving incidents by providing military members a safe form of transportation without fear of repercussion if their plans to get home safe fall through. "AADD applies the whole wingman concept and, for me, it's a chance to give back to the Wing," said Staff Sgt. Gary Davis, 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron and AADD program director The AADD program covers every valid military ID card holder on base, regardless of unit affiliation. The program is also open to retiree and family members. All they have to do is call 366-RIDE (7433.) Airmen that volunteer for AADD arrive at the Hot Spot at 11 p.m. and wait until they are requested to make a pickup by a dispatcher. The drivers work in pairs and are never alone with a member of the opposite gender during a pickup. "All people that use AADD do not have to come back to base, (they) are taken directly to (their) home," Davis said. AADD potentially saved 409 lives last year and has saved 46 in 2014. Normally there are six to eight people who call for rides each night. The program coordinators consider each person provided with a safe ride home as a potential "save" to measure the program's effectiveness. Normally, the AADD hotline is open from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. But for the four-day Memorial Day weekend, hours will be expanded to include Sunday as well. To reach the AADD hotline, call 366-RIDE (7433). For more information about AADD, visit the Andersen Air Force Base SharePoint site and click on "Community Sites." To volunteer as a driver for AADD, e-mail Andersen.AADD@Andersen.af.mil.