WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass -- If you are going out tonight, it is imperative that you have a plan to get home safely. Give Airmen Against Drunk Driving a call to safely get you back to your lodging.
Airmen Against Drunk Driving (AADD) is a free, voluntary program that helps Airmen in need of getting home safely if they have been drinking. It is available to all service members and their dependents and provides a safe and reliable way for Airmen to get back to lodging safely.
Staff Sgt. Kel Corbett leads the program at Westover Air Reserve Base. When he found out that a program like this used to exist, he was eager to reestablish it for a few important reasons.
“Not only do I think as a first responder that it’s important to take proactive measures against the devastating results of driving while intoxicated, but I have also seen too many great supervisors and peers around me stunt their personal and professional military growth due to one bad choice to drive after drinking,” Corbett said. “Anything I can do to help prevent any more of these cases, I am more than willing to do.”
Patriot Wing members and their families that are interested in taking advantage of the program can find the AADD line on the Westover app at the bottom right of the main menu screen. The number is also located at the front desk of the USO near the other informational cards. Be aware that the program can only be used to transport 439 AW personnel to approved lodging locations.
“It’s as simple as calling the number, letting them know where you are located, what you are wearing so they can identify you, and letting them know where you’re lodging at for the night. They will come ASAP to safely transport you to your destination,” Corbett said. “All calls and personnel the program picks up will remain anonymous as they are not allowed to disclose names of personnel who they pick-up.”
Airmen that are interested in assisting at the USO, where Corbett operates the programs during UTA weekends, including Fridays, can reach out to him through his government email at kel.corbett.1@us.af.mil
You can also reach him on his personal cell at any time at (508) 468-6619. He will answer questions about the program and collaborate with newcomers with ideas to make it the best it can be.