BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
In a hanger that usually holds the Air Force's cutting edge unmanned aerial reconnaissance aircraft, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, the aircraft went missing for the day.
In its place, a stage was set up to demonstrate the horrific realities of drinking and driving, and how a bad decision can end up costing Airmen here more than just a night in jail and a few thousand dollars in legal fees.
Brig. Gen. Robert Otto, 9th Reconnaissance wing commander, shared his thoughts on the recent surge of DUIs at Beale AFB.
He stated his concern with the recent trend, that each DUI is a life threatening and career ending event. He focused on the courage it takes to be a good Wingman.
"Why is it that down range, in theater, everyone watches out for their wingman -- we don't leave our wingman behind -- but here, at home, where it is easy, and no one is shooting at us, we let our wingmen needlessly risk their lives by drinking and driving?"
Paramedics from Stay Alive From Education or (S.A.F.E) and the California Highway Patrol demonstrated, through graphic pictures and video, a wet-lab sobriety test and a DUI victim testimonial, the sobering reality of driving drunk.
Officer Jeff Larson, public affairs officer with the CHP, started the presentation with the financial costs of getting a DUI and the harsh fact that drinking and driving is the number one cause of fatal traffic collisions in the U.S.
"(DUI) kills 17,000 people each year and it is totally preventable," said Officer Larson. "If you are going to party, have a plan, and stick to that plan!"
Scott Neusch, a paramedic with the Orlando Florida Fire Department, who was flown in courtesy of Anheuser-Busch as part of their Anti Drinking and Driving program, presented a short video which showed the horrific aftermath of collisions where occupants were not wearing their seatbelts.
"It's easier to prevent it (show this presentation) than to actually run patients and treat them after a collision," said Mr. Neusch.
He said S.A.F.E paramedics don't want to lecture Airmen or harass folks for drinking or not wearing their seatbelts.
"This whole (S.A.F.E.) program is about making good choices and the consequences of making bad choices, we are not here to preach or lecture (people to not drink at all)," said Mr. Neusch.
CHP officers had an Airman drink some shots to show how alcohol affects reaction time and performance. Officers performed a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer to show what they look for when pulling over a suspected drunk driver.
The presentation concluded with DUI victim Christine Heninger, spouse of a Beale Airman, telling her story. She was supposed to be a designated driver. Her group didn't stick with their plan.
She went out with some friends to celebrate. Neither she nor her friend had anything to drink that night. She was tired and asked her friend to drive in her place. Instead of staying awake to monitor her friends driving, she fell asleep.
While she was asleep, her friend got lost, and allowed a driver who had been drinking to drive, because "he knew the way home".
The impaired driver wrecked the vehicle at a high rate of speed, ejecting Ms. Heninger. She nearly died from the accident. Sustaining a serious spinal injury, she is now confined to a wheel chair.
She summed up her experience: "Trust yourself, don't trust anyone else. Don't drink and drive. Call a cab or even call your parents, if you need help getting home."
CHP Officer Larson closed the presentation, thanking Beale Airmen for their service.
"I am thankful that the Air Force thinks that this is an important issue and invited us to present this demonstration," he said.
You can go to the S.A.F.E program web site at www.safeprogram.com to learn more about the importance of wearing a seatbelt and making good driving decisions. If you attended the presentation, you can take their online survey.