Whiteman, local communities combat underage drinking

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Missouri has been selected to receive close to $950,000 over the next three years in federal grant for a joint effort to increase readiness and reduce drinking by Whiteman underage Airmen.

Brig. Gen. Robert Wheeler, 509th Bomb Wing commander, invited members of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, University of Central Missouri and several Johnson County law enforcement agencies here Jan. 4 to publicly announce the program and speak on the importance of the grant.

The Air Force has a zero tolerance approach to underage drinking and offers alternatives to drinking alcohol. This grant will support that strategy for Whiteman AFB and will benefit surrounding communities to ensure underage drinking and drunk driving are addressed.

"The quality of life for our Airmen has always been a top priority," General Wheeler said. "While underage drinking rates among our Airmen are lower than the average population, any underage drinking is incompatible with our mission."

Underage drinking degrades Team Whiteman's ability to complete its critical mission, General Wheeler said.

"I look at this community endeavor as something extremely important to this part of the nation," the general continued. "I think it has opportunity that goes well beyond here to combat this problem within our nation."

According to statistics received from the 509th Security Forces Squadron, three underage alcohol incidents were reported in the past quarter and 10 were reported for 2009.

"It's 15.22 times more likely for (underage Airmen) to be killed in an off duty scenario involving alcohol and a personal motor vehicle or ATV than it is in Iraq and Afghanistan," General Wheeler said. "That is a sobering statistic to consider."

Surveys have been conducted at the base to help officials determine how best to use the money to serve Airmen, prevent underage drinking and offer alternatives to drinking alcohol.

"A key factor in this award is the collaborative efforts between Whiteman AFB, UCM, the cities of Warrensburg and Knob Noster, and Johnson County," said John Britt, director of Missouri DPS. "We try to get out and work with law enforcement and the local community and stress how this can impact lives and how this can impact these young folks."

The initiative will provide additional education for underage Airmen as well as increase the amount of alternate, non-alcohol related activities.

"There is no doubt about it, this is America's future," General Wheeler said. "Investing in them today to prevent those alcohol-related incidents and make them understand they are not bulletproof is a critical part of the Air Force mission. We defend our nation and we produce good Americans, and that's part we are doing today."