Luke 1 cruises on side of safety

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 56th Fighter Wing
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The rumbling of exhaust cuts through the morning air as a pack of eight motorcyclists takes off for their destination. Another eight pulls up to fill their spot in the inspection line, outside club Thunderbolt Nov. 10.

More than 85 Luke Airmen participated in the 56th Fighter Wing ride to promote motorcycle safety.

While the ride is not the first for Luke, Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th FW commander, who also participated in the ride, noted it was one of the coolest things he'd seen at a wing picnic. But one of the reasons the event was organized, was because a recent motorcycle mishap involving a Luke Airman concerned him.

"I am fearless in an aircraft, but that mishap scared the daylights out of me," he said. "I want the experienced folks to teach those who've had less seat time. I want them to have a good time doing it and have personal satisfaction from helping others that share the same interest."

Of the 380,000 service members Air Force wide, 6 percent are motorcycle riders. This small collective group results in 45-percent of Air Force fatalities.

The event was not a free day to ride motorcycles, but to focus on safety, said Ben Bruce, 56th FW Ground Safety manager.

To kick off the event, members were briefed about the 19-motorcycle fatalities this year, 11 of which were sports bike riders, and the cause of death was speeding.

Participants were also briefed on group riding, how to corner in a group and overview on using hand signals while riding was given.

Prior to take off, each motorcycle and rider was inspected for proper safety gear and working equipment before leaving on one of three designated routes.

Event planners organized the ride as a real-world lesson and real-time feedback session. Each group had designated trail captain and tail gunners, who were also the more experienced riders. The less experienced riders rode in the middle of the pack and were given tips and pointers after each break.

"We wanted those with more experience as mentors to the novice riders so they could teach and share their knowledge, and in turn the novice riders could go back to teach others in their groups or units," Mr. Bruce said.

With a big turnout at the event, General Neubauer would like to host similar events every quarter if possible, so both experienced and novice riders can all benefit.

Contact unit motorcycle monitors for more information.