Airmen offer rides, save lives

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  After a long week of work, a group of Airmen decides to blow off some steam and head down to the bar. They were smart and planned ahead, having designated a driver before heading to the bar. However, their plan fell through their designated driver ended up drunk, and the group discovers they are short cab fare. Putting their heads together, one of them pulls out his phone, dialing the number that would prevent them from risking not only their lives but the lives of others.

That number is 677-6000, the number for Dover Airmen Against Drunk Driving.

DAADD is a volunteer program that allows Airmen within a twenty-mile radius of the base to call for an anonymous ride to their home. They will pick Airmen up between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, no questions asked.

"It doesn't matter where an Airman is, as long as we can get to them, we will pick them up," said Senior Airman Melanie Griffin, secretary for DAADD. "If you call us, we will come and pick you up, even in the middle of a corn field."

DAADD relies on its drivers for its success, said Airman Robert Maynard, president of DAADD. The drivers volunteer for their shift and are on standby for the entire night, waiting to receive a dispatch to go and pick up someone in need. If they fall asleep or do not answer their phone after two courtesy calls, they are taken off the list, and they do not receive hours for that night. However, this is a rare occurrence, said Maynard.

"Everybody buys into the program and are willing to step up and help out," said Airman 1st Class Aaron Holland, vice president of DAADD.

The goal of DAADD is to keep Airmen safe; each ride is counted as a life saved by the DAADD program, which notates how many rides each driver gives each night. However, some Airmen seem to misunderstand how DAADD works, said Griffin.

"A common misconception we've heard lately is that you need permission from your first sergeant to use DAADD," said Griffin. "DAADD is completely confidential, so the only person who knows you got a ride that night is the driver who picked you up. We aren't going to tell your chain of command you used DAADD to get home; all we want is to get our fellow Airmen home safely."

Those interested in volunteering for DAADD should contact their squadron point of contact to sign the DAADD driver agreement form, as well as be briefed on the rules of the program.

"Volunteers should be ready to answer their phone at any time," said Maynard. "I've gotten calls while I was tucked in under my covers at 2:57 a.m., and I got up and picked them up. It can be difficult sometimes, and it definitely helps to be a bit of a night owl."
Not only is DAADD devoted to keeping fellow Airmen safe, but also keeping them out of trouble. By using DAADD, Airmen avoid driving drunk which can end their Air Force careers.

"If you're out drinking, and your plan A and B both fall through, always remember that DAADD is just a phone call away," said Maynard.