New policy specifies Hurlburt motorcycle safety training requirements Published June 5, 2013 By Ground Safety 1st Special Operations Wing HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The safety of our motorcycle riders remains a top priority for the Department of Defense, the Air Force and Team Hurlburt. Team Hurlburt experienced five reportable motorcycle mishaps in the last year and unfortunately one resulted in a fatality when a car turned in front of the rider and caused a collision. The remaining four mishaps were single vehicle accidents where the operator lost control of the bike and impacted the ground. Riders and motorists must realize one serious injury or death negatively impacts the mission and is a tragic loss for the family, friends and unit of those involved. In an effort to advance safety training efforts Hurlburt Field will begin validating motorcycle training for military motorcycle riders. Rider's without required training face potential traffic penalties. The 1st Special Operations Wing new motorcycle safety training policy affects all active duty motorcycles riders who enter Hurlburt Field. The policy enforces guidance published in Department of Defense Instruction 6055.4, DoD Traffic Safety Program and provided by the United States Special Operations Command for all SOF riders. The table below identifies training requirements. Training reinforces basic skills and helps riders with personal risk assessment using activities designed to improve perception and hazard awareness in a controlled and safe environment. The new wing policy requires rider's entering Hurlburt Field to have current training and to comply with HHQ guidance in an effort to help advance lifelong safe riding habits. To validate rider training the 1 SOW Safety office will issue an AF IMT 483, Certificate of Competency, reflecting a rider's current training data. According to Mr. Joe Freese, 1 SOW Ground Safety, "The rider must obtain an AF IMT 483 from the safety office, ensure accuracy of the training data, and keep the 483 on them as proof of training. With the new wing policy all military riders entering the base are subject to random motorcycle safety check points conducted solely for the purpose of ensuring riders are trained." The 1 SOW safety staff pre-made 483's for all Hurlburt riders based on training information entered in the Air Force Motorcycle Training data base. For the initial distribution, pre-made 483's were delivered to each unit's Motorcycle Safety Representative (MSRs) for issue to the riders they manage. Riders without a 483 must provide proof of training to 1 SOW Ground Safety to receive one; the rider's MSF course completion card is required to verify training. Failure to provide proof of training or completion of the required level of training during random checkpoints or traffic stops may result in a traffic citation for the rider with the potential to have all DOD driving privileges suspended. The Hurlburt Field Motorcycle Training Policy Letter can be viewed on the 1 SOW SharePoint site https://eis.afsoc.af.mil/sites/1SOW/Policy%20Letters/Forms/AllItems.aspx. If you have questions please contact the 1 SOW Ground Safety Office at extension 884-6463.