Who is your wingman?

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas—Tech. Sgt. Joseph Dean, 7th Security forces Squadron, demonstrates a field sobriety test June 15 here. There have been 12 off-base DUIs at Dyess in the first five months of 2010, while there were only 23 for the entire year last year. Drinking and driving isn’t the only alcohol-related incident that can have negative repercussions. Public intoxication, underage drinking, going to work drunk and having hangovers that prevent you from performing your duties are some of the serious incidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airmen 1st Class Brittney Smolinski)

Who is your wingman?

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas--Tech. Sgt. Joseph Dean, 7th Security forces Squadron, simulates the steps taken by a security forces member when pulling over a drunk driver June 15 here. There have been 12 off-base DUIs at Dyess in the first five months of 2010, while there were only 23 for the entire year last year. Drinking and driving isn’t the only alcohol-related incident that can have negative repercussions. Public intoxication, underage drinking, going to work drunk and having hangovers that prevent you from performing your duties are some of the serious incidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airmen 1st Class Brittney Smolinski)

Who is your wingman?

Published June 15, 2010
By Senior Airman Felicia Juenke
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Driving under the influence and other alcohol-related incidents are on the rise and ruining careers for some members of Dyess.

There have been 12 off-base DUIs in the first five months of 2010, while there were only 23 for the entire year last year.

"It's not just the DUIs that can ruin an Airman's career. Alcohol-related incidents can lead to Articles 15, rank demotions and administrative discharges," said Capt. Mark Evans, 7th Bomb Wing JAG office. "Using the wingman concept wisely can easily help an Airman avoid the devastating, punitive consequences of underestimating how much damage irresponsible drinking can cause."

Drinking and driving isn't the only alcohol-related incident that can have negative repercussions. Public intoxication, underage drinking, going to work drunk and having hangovers that prevent you from performing your duties are some of the serious incidents.

Drinking responsibly doesn't mean that you can't drink. In some cases, it just means having a plan. Instead of drinking and driving, take a cab home or have a designated driver.

"Alcohol related incidents carry stiff penalties to include jail time, loss of driving privileges for no less than one year, administrative action and/or non-judicial punishment," added Senior Master Sgt. Theodore Lambremont, 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "They also jeopardize one's career, not to mention tarnish the efforts and reputation of the Air Force members here at Dyess and abroad."

There are those nights when the DD decides to drink and no one has money for a cab, and in that case there is the wingman phone. There are two wingman phones, one for males and one for females, which are free to call when you find yourself needing a wingman.

"Any alcohol-related incident can be a catastrophe. It can end a life or ruin a career," said Col. Robert Gass, 7th Bomb Wing commander. "It's avoidable and our wingmen concept can help. Watch out for your fellow Airmen, in and out of uniform. You may have the chance to make a big difference in a very positive way, don't miss that chance."

For the wingman phones, call (325) 518-0978 Male and (325) 518-0914 Female.

To be a wingman for a wingman phone, call Airman 1st Class Eric Stoner, Airman's Advisory Council president, at (325) 696-8345.