LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
A skydiving Santa dropped into Lackland AFB Dec. 4 to help launch the state's annual drunken driving prevention campaign.
The Air Force's commitment to safety and taking care of its Airmen made Lackland a perfect backdrop for the start of the Texas Department of Transportation's four-week awareness rally, according to Brig. Gen. Darrell Jones, 37th Training Wing commander.
"In the Air Force, we have a concept we practice every day -- the wingman concept," the general said. "We look out for one another."
The wingman philosophy, with its roots in the aviation field, challenges all military and civilian members to take care of one another and ensure they are always doing the right thing.
In 2006, Texas had 1,677 people die in alcohol-related accidents, according to the Department of Public Safety. So officials hope that the Air Force's wingman philosophy not only pays dividends in the military, but rubs off on the civilian community as well.
"Our intention is to ... encourage drivers to be sober," said Travis Hall, senior trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to Col. John W. Blumentritt, Air Education and Training Command director of safety, that goal makes their partnership a natural fit.
"Air Force installations already have some of the most sober roads in Texas via a powerful safety culture," the colonel said. "We need to help take that attitude to the streets off-base, as well."