Dyess Motorcycle Rodeo

  • Published
  • By Airman Quay Drawdy
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A motorcycle safety rodeo took place at Dyess Air Force Base July 1, 2015, in the parking lot of the Base Exchange.

The event was a joint effort between Dyess, the Green Knights and officers from the Abilene Police Department to raise awareness on motorcycle safety and safe handling techniques.

The rodeo opened with a short Comprehensive Airman Fitness lesson about physical fitness and staying fit to fight, followed by a speech from Col. Michael B. Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander.

Starr first thanked everyone for coming to the event and then went on to say that safety is important and, when lives hang in the balance like they do with motorcycles, it becomes even more important. The safety rodeo might teach Airmen techniques that could save a few headaches, a few twisted bikes and, most importantly, a few lives.

Starr was also named an honorary member by the Green Knights, an international motorcycle group that specifically addresses the needs of military riders including veterans and DoD civilians, and was presented a member's vest. The Green Knights provide education, safety knowledge and the shared joy and camaraderie of riding on an international scale.

After the opening remarks, the rodeo began with two motorcycle officers representing the Traffic Division of Abilene Police Department demonstrating and supervising multiple events such as defensive riding, emergency braking and maneuvering, brake and throttle control and low-speed handling.

"Everyone left with valuable training skills. Even if they already knew them, they might not have exercised them in a long time," said Chief Master Sgt. Joshua W. Swanger, the Maintenance Group superintendent and organizer of the rodeo. "They are skills that need to be practiced and are not always performed in day-to-day riding. Having a safe and controlled environment to practice emergency riding skills will certainly make us all better riders."

The motorcycle officers and the Green Knights created a track for the riders to practice the skills they had just been shown. Each person who went through the course was given close supervision and feedback.

"As a rider and supervisor of many riders, motorcycle safety is incredibly important to me," said Swanger. "It is equally important to Dyess. We need to give our military riders as much training and education as possible to ensure they ride safely and stay mission ready. We can't afford to lose even one more Airman."