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Squadron DUI free for 19 years

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  For servicemembers, driving under the influence of alcohol is a quick way to end a career, but for one Travis unit, staying DUI free is a way of life.

The Airmen of the 60th Contracting Squadron take DUIs to heart and have successfully maintained zero instances for 19 years.

As part of the squadron's newcomers briefing Airmen assigned to the unit must sit down with the squadron superintendent and sign a DUI agreement.

The agreement details the squadron and wing policies on DUIs and includes a pledge, which states the Airmen will have a solid plan if they decide to consume alcohol.

"The small unit leadership of our squadron has been extremely prevalent within the work area," said Airman 1st Class Zachary Bowens, 60th CONS contract specialist. "The fact that leadership takes the time to interact and impress upon younger service members the expectations of themselves plays a major role in guiding Airman down the correct career path."

Squadron members don't plan to stay DUI free solely because of military regulations, but also out of respect for the family of a former 60th CONS commander, Lt. Col. Byard Bowers.

In 1991, Colonel Bower was driving home with his wife and three children when tragedy struck.

As Colonel Bower turned left onto Air Base Parkway from Peabody Road in Fairfield, a drunk driver ran a red light and collided with the Bower family's vehicle.

Colonel Bower's oldest son ruptured an intestine; his daughter suffered brain damage; and his seven-year-old son, who was seriously injured in the crash, died a day later.

Lt. Col. Aron Krischel, 60th CONS commander, said the men and women of the 60th CONS have taken on an organizational challenge to remain DUI free.

"We keep the article detailing the unfortunate events of Col. Bower's accident on the squadron bulletin board and have every new squadron member read it," Colonel Krischel said.

In addition, every weekend, holiday or event where drinking may be involved, squadron members are asked about their plans, and if alcohol is involved who their designated driver is.

"This type of environment is in my opinion, the reason we have stayed DUI free for nearly 20 years," said Airman Bowens.

"I am extremely proud of the men and women of the 60th CONS to attain such a tremendous feat," said Colonel Krischel. "Airman 1st Class Alexander Seide, 60th CONS contract specialist, is a perfect example of spirit and attitude that all our Airmen display every day," he said. "Airman Seide has contributed nearly 100 hours to Airmen Against Drunk Driving since October."

Matthew Kernan, 60th Air Mobility Wing deputy chief of safety, challenges all of Team Travis units to follow in the contracting squadron's footsteps.

As one of the first to see DUI statistics as they happen, Mr. Kernan says a DUI can not only put lives in danger and ruin a career, but it can really affect unit morale.

"Having an active unit-level anti-DUI campaign like what the contracting squadron has will keep us moving in the right direction," he said. "We all have to stay involved to win this war on DUIs."