Lakenheath Airmen reach 500-day mark without DUI

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Balutski
  • 48th Communications Squadron chief enlisted manager
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (USAFENS) --  Fifteen senior NCOs bought 30 dozen eggs to make breakfast burritos for the 48th Communications Squadron Feb. 3.

The day celebrates a milestone for the squadron -- 500 days without a drunk driving incident.

At a recent commander’s call, the squadron leadership promised that the senior NCOs would cook breakfast for the unit if the squadron met the goal.

“We kept them advised of the upcoming milestone, and told them they’d receive a well-earned reward for meeting that 500- day goal,” said Maj. Jon Sutherland, 48th CS commander.

“As we got closer, our senior NCOs kept the reminders flowing,” he said.

E-mails were sent out weekly to keep the Airmen focused on the prize and to remind them to drink responsibly. Though the leadership was confident in their squadron, ingredients for the burritos weren’t purchased until the last minute.

“We knew they could do it, but we had to wait until the zero-hour before spending our money,” said Master Sgt. John Petersen, 48th CS breakfast incentive coordinator. “We didn’t want to be stuck with 30 dozen eggs and 15 irritated senior NCOs.”

At 6:30 a.m., the senior NCOs bought the ingredients and prepared the food in the base chapel kitchen. By 9 a.m., more than half the squadron filtered through the serving lines, designated teams delivered food to the squadron’s 24-hour work centers, and wing and group leadership stopped by to congratulate the masses.

“They had come this far because good folks made sound decisions and kept their buddies from doing the wrong thing,” said Sergeant Petersen.

The 48th CS collectively reached a milestone and squadron leadership fulfilled a promise.

With one milestone reached, Major Sutherland focused the squadron to a new challenge.

“If you reach 750 days, the senior NCOs will make you lunch,” he said.

The additional 250 days will take the unit into October.