ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Airman Against Drunk Driving is there when your plans fall through.
Since October 2006, AADD, a volunteer-based, Airmen-operated service at Robins, has been providing a back-up option for active-duty, Reserve, Guard, Department of Defense civilians, and their dependents, as well as those who are on temporary duty at Robins, to get home when too much alcohol prevents them from doing so on their own.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Dobey, 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of Logistic Plans, who has been the president of AADD since October 2018, said the group’s focus is to prevent members from getting DUIs or causing a casualty due to drunk driving.
“In order to use AADD, members must exhaust all other efforts first,” he said. “These efforts should be a pre-designated driver, a cab or UBER, or just simply staying the night. If those plans fail, members can call (478) 222-0013, and let the dispatcher know where they are, how many people need to be picked up, where they need to be taken, and if their car needs to be driven to the same location, too.”
Per AADD rules, individuals can only be driven to their home or hotel they may be staying at if on temporary duty.
Dobey said a dispatcher will send a team of two to check the individuals’ DoD identification cards, verify information, and drive them home.
Most weekends, AADD has six volunteers to cover a 30-mile radius of Robins, in order to reach the busy spots in downtown Macon.
The AADD president said people can rest easy knowing their leadership will not be notified of any calls made to the group.
AADD operating hours are Thursdays through Sundays 10 p.m.-3 a.m.
There’s even a downloadable app to reach the program’s volunteer drivers.
“The app can be downloaded through the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store; search ‘AF AADD,’” Dobey said.
Once downloaded, members will have to input:
- The Robins AADD Information
- A Wingman’s information
- Their First Sergeant’s information
-OPTIONAL: Rideshare information to be used for taxis, as well
The app allows Airmen to now choose which option they would like to use to get home or simply gives them an easy way to contact their resources for help.
In addition to using the app to receive help, it also allows members to request to be an AADD volunteer by hitting the volunteer button.
Members will input:
- The AADD email: 78ABW.RobinsAFB.AADD@us.af.mil
- The member’s name
- The member’s squadron or organization
- The member’s phone number
- The member’s work email
Then all they have to do is select “volunteer.”
Airmen can also volunteer by contacting their first sergeant or e-mailing AADD’s organization box at 78ABW.RobinsAFB.AADD@us.af.mil.
AADD is also available for special events where they can be on standby where organizations are serving alcohol. A one month notice is required for event requests.
Dobey said the free, confidential program is an important asset to keep Robins’ Airmen safe.
“AADD is an important program because it helps prevent our ‘Big-A’ Airmen from possibly committing a career or life-ending offense,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Irons, a Deployable Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems instructor in the 53rd Air Traffic Control Squadron, who serves as the AADD vice president, said people should consider AADD when all else fails.
“It’s a free and confidential program with non-retribution, and it sure beats a jail cell,” he said.
To contact AADD, call (478) 222-0013, or for more information on volunteering with AADD, e-mail 78ABW.RobinsAFB.AADD@us.af.mil.