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110th Airlift Wing Hosts Rider Coach Training

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Justin Andras
  • 110th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 110th Airlift Wing was selected to host the first Military Sportbike Rider Coach Training for the entire Air National Guard on September 19-20, 2013. The training course, funded by the National Guard Bureau, is the first instructor training course to be hosted on the base.

"This training provides the Rider Coach participants the opportunity to get qualified to teach the Military Sportbike Rider Course," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Labruzzy, the 110th Airlift Wing Ground Safety Manager. "This also provides an opportunity for current military sportbike riders to receive advanced training."

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has established rigorous guidelines in the selection of Rider Coach Trainers and Rider Coaches to learn and conduct the MSRC. In addition to the heightened guidelines, the MSF is developing quality assurance measures to track and monitor training results. The MSRC was developed in close collaboration with the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy motorcycle safety education and training safety centers. The course, completed on September 21, 2013, consisted of approximately 3 hours of classroom interactive lessons and approximately 4 hours of on-cycle range time.
"This course involves more advanced material designed for individuals who possess several years of riding experience," said Dennis Phillips, a 25-year Rider Coach instructor. Phillips, a Rider Coach Trainer since 2001, was the sole instructor for the MSRCT in addition to one of the instructors for the MSRC. Phillips says students of the MSRC learn several skills drills such as proper cornering, swerving, and braking. Most riders choose to participate in the course in order to improve their comfort and confidence in their riding ability.

Phillips offers some advice to riders, "Perception is key. The sooner you are able to recognize a hazard out on the road the sooner you will be able to respond to that hazard."
The 110th Airlift Wing hopes to improve the skills of its military riders and minimize future accidents.

"Sport bikes are the greatest killer among military members," said Labruzzy.
The wing recently lost a member of the wing family. On June 9, 2013, Master Sgt. William "Billy" Madden was killed while on his motorcycle.

"We can't force our members not to ride their motorcycles," said Col. Ronald Wilson, 110th Airlift Wing Commander. "But through this course if we can save just one life then it was worthwhile."