Warren's wingman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  To keep Airmen, their families and the community safe, the 90th Missile Wing created a new wingman, The Mighty Ninety Safe Ride Program.

The program was created Jan. 20, 2014. Since then, volunteers within the wing have provided 275 rides to their fellow Airmen in the Warren community.

"This program is run by our Airmen for our Airmen," said Master Sgt. Karen Harr, 90th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent. "This embraces the wingman concept by volunteering to get called in the middle of the night to pick up a fellow Airman or dependent, when needed, to keep them safe."

With an average of 25 rides per month, the program is fully dependent on volunteers to keep it successful.

"This is a great program which impacts the lives of our Airmen, their families and the local community," said Master Sgt. Jayce England, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron operations engineering element chief. "It helps reduce the risk of a mishap occurring to one of our Air Force family members and is a true display of Airmen helping Airmen."
Safe Ride runs seven days a week from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., offering rides to Airmen in need.

Harr and England are the Safe Ride coordinators and work to help volunteers with questions or concerns they may have. The coordinators can also fill in as drivers or dispatchers if volunteers are unable to fulfil their shift or there are gaps in the schedule.

The Safe Ride program provides rides for people who need assistance in any situation, regardless if it involves drinking or not.

"The safe ride program was designed to give Airmen who have been drinking a ride home, but it can be used for more," Harr said. "If you are in an unsafe situation, if your car breaks down or for whatever reason, as long as you are a military member or dependent, we're here for you. "

Since the start of 2015, more than three dozen rides have been provided for Airmen.

"It has helped reduce our number of [drunk drivers], giving our Airmen a safe alternative, and best of all, it doesn't cost any of them a dime," England said. "Although it may seem like a small task, giving an Airman a Safe Ride home can have a huge impact on their life."