News

Dover's Motorcycle Safety Day 2006

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class James Bolinger
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 170 members from Team Dover were involved in the wing's Motorcycle Safety Day May 3 for a bit of training, a bite of food, some friendly competition and a bit of riding.
The day included a safety briefing in the morning, followed by a burger burn, sport and cruiser bike contest and a group ride down the flightline.

According to Staff Sgt. Harold Joe, 436th AW Safety Office, the safety day was organized to promote the welfare of Dover's members during Motorcycle Safety Month, which coincides with the beginning of riding season.

"The goal of the day was to reach the base populace with a basic refresher safety principles," said Sergeant Joe. "We also needed to get the word out about new training required this year."

The new training is required by Air Mobility Command and is targeting sport bike riders, he said.

Following the briefing, members met up at Dover's Family Camp for a burger burn - which was sponsored by the Chaplains and prepared by the First Sergeants Association - and then a contest for best motorcycle.

Safety day participants browsed the bikes in the competition before Col. Chad Manske, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Reuning, 436th Operations Group superintendent and acting command chief master sergeant, judged bikes and awarded first, second and third place in both the cruiser and sport bike competitions.

"I can appreciate the pride which was shown in the preparation of these bikes," said Colonel Manske.

Joe Moore, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, won the sport bike competition presenting his GSXR 750 Suzuki, and Tech. Sgt. Kevin Schmehl, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, took first in the cruiser competition with his 2005 Honda VTX 1300R.

The first-place winners received a Military Spec Safety Vest, which is a reflective vest worn while riding that has a place to hold an ID card so it is visible.

A group ride across the flightline followed after prizes for the bikes were handed out.

Approximately 80 riders participated in the ride across the flightline and then proceeded to cruise off base and met up at the Blue Hen Mall parking lot.

"I believe we exceeded our goal for the day," said Sergeant Joe. "The base has approximately 200 riders, and we expect to train two classes a month for the remainder of the season. It was important to get this safety information out to those riders. It ensures that our motorcyclists are trained."