Page 8 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt April 7, 2017

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Don’t be an ‘Airman Z’
April 2017 NEWS www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
Thunderbolt http://www.luke.af.mil
Afghanistan
Advisors with Train, Advise and Assist Command-Air traveled to Shindand Air Wing, Herat, to meet with Afghan air force wing leaders to gain their per- spective on current operations in the area.
latvia
The Air Force Reserve’s 433rd Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy delivered 207,000 pounds of cargo comprised of three Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, four Army vehicles, and 39 10th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers to Latvia in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Southwest Asia
Air National Guardsmen from the 120th and 182nd airlift wings recently returned from a four-month deployment in South- west Asia. The Airmen were assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, where they delivered cargo downrange at a record-breaking pace in support of Opera- tion Inherent Resolve.
Romania
History was made when the U.S. and Romanian air forces made their first air refueling contact over Romania. With the help of the 100th Air Refuel- ing Wing and one of Romania’s KC- 135 Stratotankers, the Romanians were certified to refuel from U.S. KC- 135s, strengthening partnerships and regional stability.
by Senior Airman JORDAN ASHLOCK
56th Medical Operations Squadron
It started when he got his first rum and coke at a party in 9th grade. Airman Z had always been curious about alcohol, and his brother, a senior and one of the “cool guys” in high school, always talked about drink- ing whenever he hung out with the other cool kids in school.
To Airman Z, drinking looked fun. His first rum and coke relaxed him and took the edge-off. He wasn’t afraid to talk to others. He didn’t feel shy or out of place. By his senior year, Airman Z was having a few beers or drinks a couple times a month.
As time passed, he began to sneak drinks whenever his parents were not home. When he drank with friends, he stayed at their house so his parents wouldn’t know.
As graduation approached, he contem- plated college, but felt he might not be ready. He wanted to travel and see the world and remembered an Air Force re- cruiter talking about opportunities at high school career day. Airman Z decided to con- tribute to his country and get an education by joining the Air Force. Family members
agreed the military would give Airman Z much-needed discipline and focus.
Four months after graduating high school, Airman Z went to basic training and on to tech school. While at tech school, he had liberty to hang out and go to parties. Remembering how good alcohol made him feel, Airman Z decided to return to drink- ing, even though he was underage and drinking with other underage members.
Over time on active-duty, he drank on the weekends and at times would binge. Airman Z developed an inability to get a good night’s sleep, and if he went too long without a drink, he couldn’t fall asleep at all – until the next day when he was unable to stay awake at work.
Airman Z could stay sober for a while, especially when he was working 12s. He was convinced he did not have an alcohol problem since he drank only to wind down after work or on weekends. He got better at performing tasks under the influence that he used to have trouble with. He built up a tolerance for alcohol and managed to avoid suspicion, which fed his confidence.
After years of underage drinking, he became over confident. One night, after heavy drinking, he drove back to the base
speeding and swerving. He was pulled over and failed a sobriety test and breathalyzer. He was arrested for driving under the influence and faced additional charges of resisting arrest and drunk and disorderly conduct.
As a result, Airman Z’s license was suspended for 24 months, he received an Article 15, and was given a reduction in pay. He was placed on a control roster and mobility restriction and remained there until cleared of an unfavorable informa- tion file.
Sound familiar?
Airman Z is not alone in his drinking problem. According to the National In- stitute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the number of Americans 18 and older who fall into substance abuse category rose from 13.8 million in 1991-1992 to 17.6 million in 2001-2002. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2014 about
21.5 million Americans, ages 12 and older were classified with a substance use dis- order. Of those, approximately 2.6 million had problems with both alcohol and drugs, 4.5 million had problems with drugs but not alcohol, and 14.4 million had problems with alcohol only.
Based on a survey conducted by NIAAA in 2013, young adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely to be heavy drinkers. The rea- sons include a culture and environment that glamorize, support and encourage alcohol use and heavy drinking.
If you or someone you know fits Airman Z storyline, get help or offer assistance. You or your wingman can either self-refer to ADAPT in the 56th Medical Group or set-up an appointment by calling 623-856- 7579. You can also speak to a member of the chain-of-command or a friend to get help. You are not alone. The Air Force needs you and has many resources to help you succeed.