Defenders campaign against DUIs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan --  The 22nd Security Forces Squadron partnered with the Kansas DUI Impact Center to raise awareness about the effects of driving under the influence in a campaign running through the end of the year.

Members of the impact center provided magnetic emblems that were distributed onto several of the security forces patrol vehicles.

"Each of the magnets has a [DUI] victim's name," said Porsha Foster, Kansas DUI Impact Center victim advocate. "We want people to look at these magnets and think 'Hey, that's another person that lost their life because of a DUI' and make them think about their decisions."

The large, circular magnets are clearly identifiable on the security forces patrol cars, but McConnell AFB isn't the only place that they can be seen.

The impact center works with various security agencies around Wichita, Kansas, and civilian patrol cars can be seen adorned with the magnets as well, said Foster.

The Defenders of the 22nd SFS are responsible for ensuring everybody who drives through the base gates are capable of entering base safely without presenting any threat to the other personnel and property on base, making them the prime candidate for the anti-DUI campaign.

"I don't want them to forget why we are out on the road looking for those safety issues," said Maj. Robert Clouse, 22nd SFS commander. "We had some DUI victims come out and speak to the flight about how they were impacted and to remind them about the importance of their job."

"Raising awareness" isn't just a buzz-phrase loosely thrown about in the 22nd SFS. Several members of the unit know exactly what can happen if a person chooses to drink and drive.

"When I was 17 years old, I was hit by a drunk driver," said Tech. Sgt. Sean Williams, 22nd SFS installation security. "I was lucky and didn't get any serious injuries, but I know how it could have impacted me."

The first-hand experience drove Williams to coordinate the campaign with the impact center.

"When you're out there, you have to be responsible," he said. "We're just trying to enforce traffic laws, remind people to be safe, and prevent any potential injuries or deaths from happening."

DUIs at McConnell AFB have dropped by nearly 75 percent since 2013, bringing Team McConnell significantly closer to the wing-wide goal of zero DUIs in a year.

One of the tools provided to Airmen to help them make smart decisions is the Airmen Against Drunk Driving program. Volunteers work weekends to pick up fellow Airmen from bars and other locations around the city to provide them with a safe passage home.

AADD operates Friday through Sunday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. each weekend. To take advantage of this service, please call (316) 759-2233.