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Sport Bike Safety Crucial to Readiness

  • Published
  • By Col. Timothy Zadalis
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Commander
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  I had the pleasure of attending our very first sport bike safety course last week, and I couldn't be prouder of the Safety Office for spearheading this initiative. I appreciate having North Carolina Highway Patrolman Mark Brown teaching this course, and he will make a big impact at Pope by reinforcing risk management and making sure every one of our riders has the skills needed to safely ride their motorcycles. 

Because 33 of our fellow Airmen throughout the Air Force died last year in sport bikes accidents, our leadership wants to make sure our focus is on the increasingly popular fast motorcycles that many of our Airmen own. 

Regrettably, we lost one of our 82nd Airborne brothers in a motorcycle accident in May. Neither Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez nor I want to lose any more good people to motorcycle accidents. 

If you own a sport bike, you must attend this course. It will save your life one day.
Many of us have witnessed unsafe practices in traffic committed by individuals riding sport bikes, including weaving in and out of traffic, wheelies, and excessively dangerous speeds. 

I'm not saying you can't own a motorcycle, but every sport bike rider must complete this course by Oct. 31 or they will not be allowed to ride their motorcycle, on base or off.
I can't stress enough the importance of never operating a motorcycle after drinking alcohol. You can't drink and drive, no matter what kind of vehicle it is. 

We can't continue to make an impact on the Global War on Terror without you. Be smart, and always think about your actions before you act. One mistake could end your career.
In addition, I want to congratulate Capt. Carol Mitchell, 2nd Airlift Squadron, for being selected as Air Mobility Command's nominee for the 2006 Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Award. 

This award recognizes women who have made significant achievements in the aviation community and aerospace industry. Captain Mitchell continues to make a significant impact on the AMC mission in theater and in garrison.