RED HORSE rides to promote motorcycle safety

  • Published
  • By Jamie Haig
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 823rd RED HORSE Squadron held its first motorcycle safety poker run March 30 to educate the less experienced cyclists on riding safely, no matter what the terrain.

Col. Steve Hammock, 823rd RED HORSE commander, opened the session with a few words to his Airmen.

"This is a great opportunity for everyone to ensure that you get safety tips while riding," Colonel Hammock said. "You know how risky it is sharing the road with other drivers. Share these safety tips with other riders out there."

Staff Sgt. Ed Lecuyer, 1st Special Operations Wing ground safety office, reviewed some of the items that bikers learned during their prerequisite motorcycle safety course.

Other speakers included Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Reynolds, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, Master Sgt. Carl Cupp from Hurlburt Field's motorcycle club, Sentinels of Freedom, and Lt. J.D. Peacock, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Master Sgt. Stephen Zajac, 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, conceived and coordinated the idea for the run while deployed.

"There were quite a few folks talking about the new bikes they purchased," Sergeant Zajac said. "With the amount of new riders in our squadron, our risk factor has seriously increased. I wanted to do something to mitigate this risk, get the facts out and dispel rumors about riding."

After the briefings, riders and bikes were inspected for proper safety gear and equipment before the start of the 118 mile run.

The course captured five different riding scenarios from heavy traffic conditions to winding country back roads - all venues offer a different challenge for the motorcyclist.

"We had riders with a wide range of riding experience," Sergeant Zajac said. "They ranged from zero experience, to several months to decades. The one-to-one contact of new riders with knowledgeable riders allowed for better mentoring."

Lt. Col. Anthony Davit, 823rd RED HORSE Squadron deputy commander, and a motorcyclist since 1991, was an active participant in the run.

"There is no better way to teach guys how to ride well other than to ride with them and point out areas in which they can improve," Colonel Davit said. "We covered many areas that aren't covered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses such as group riding and riding in traffic."

The squadron received good reviews from all of the riders, and it is planning a base-wide, all squadron motorcycle safety poker run later this year.

"All-in-all, this event met all of its training objectives," Colonel Davit said. "The next time we do this, we'll open it up to the entire base so we can promote more than just proper wear of personal protective equipment."