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910th revs up safety for motorcycle season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Juliet Louden
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Youngstown Air Reserve Station offered a Basic RiderCourse 2 to military members on April 12, 2019, here. The course is required every five years for any military member who is riding a motorcycle in military status or on a Department of Defense installation.

“The course makes you safer. It reintroduces curves and quick stops,” said Andy Ford, the 910th Airlift Wing’s occupational safety manager and 15-year instructor of the course. “You lose some of those basic skills if you have not been practicing them.”

Master Sgt. Phil Walsh, aircrew flight supervisor assigned to the 910th Operations Support Squadron and an instructor of the course, also voiced the significance

“The course does a lot of good,” said Walsh. “Maybe it will save their lives in one instance, and if it does, we are doing something good. I always thought I was a safe rider, but after looking at the course manual, I need to tune up my skills and become more vigilant.”

The four course participants also expressed the importance of keeping up with basic motorcycle skills.

“It is good to get back and refresh my skills,” said Matthew Edwards. “Especially at the beginning of the riding season.”

Another participant was thankful YARS offered the course to military members.

“Glad it is available,” said Senior Airman Adam Bodendorfer, a ramp service flight representative, assigned to the 76th Aerial Port Squadron. “It saved me money and headaches trying to do it outside the base.”