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Green Knights Chapter 58 protect each other like family

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Brewer
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  With wind in their faces and steel under their boots the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club Chapter 58, flies down the road with matching green shirts and leather cuts on their backs, all turning in sync, with their skin covered to protect from the wind.

The Green Knights MMC was originated for all military and Department of Defense riders to safely enjoy the freedom of biking together. The members work in conjunction with the 20th Fighter Wing Safety office and 20th Security Forces Squadron to ensure everyone adheres to federal, state and local base regulations. Members are required to ride safe and have fun.

All military riders are required to go through the Basic Riding Courses on base. Green Knights members keep each other riding safely how they were taught, and end up teaching those who do not know how to ride tips and tricks to be safer and encourage each other to keep up good habits. The first class teaches beginners how to ride, the second is a refresher course which teaches members ways to turn and the third is for those who want to advance their riding skills even further.

A lot of people attached to the motorcycle clubs, such as the Green Knights MMC, are mentors in their squadrons. The 20th Fighter Wing works with motorcycle clubs to set up a platform of safety for their projected rides, said Adaryll Crawford, 20th Fighter Wing safety occupational manager.

Being that the Green Knights MMC is an all military club, they have the same baseline of how to ride safely per Air Force standards, through the classes they have taken and therefore keep each other riding safely.

During the preseason briefing about motorcycle riders’ wing safety gives the Green Knights an opportunity to speak and explain what they do and offer people motorcycle mentorship said Crawford.

Part of the club’s mission statement is, “The more you ride, the better a rider you become. It’s about getting ‘seat time’ and meeting people in the community who also enjoy the lifestyle.”

Although a motto of the club is to be safe, they are not the ‘safety police’, said Master Sgt. Micheal Hill, Air Forces Central Command air traffic control and airspace operations non-commissioned officer in charge. On the contrary, they try to encourage members to keep safety in mind so everyone can have fun without any devastating accidents.
“The comradery is great and all the members have shared experiences,” said Hill. “The members all experience the same things because we are all either active duty or retired.”

Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club Chapter 58 came together for a comradery and poker ride March 30 in Sumter, South Carolina. Approximately 12 members met at a lodge to kick off a nearly 20-mile ride, consisting of five designated stops where riders stopped to draw a card. Once they reached the end of the event, each player showed their hand and the one with the best and worst hand received a prize. Other attendees received door prizes like various restaurant gift cards, helmets, knives and motorcycle t-shirts from local shops.

“I love riding so much,” said Wilma Brinkley, Green Knights MMC rider. “My favorite part is the comradery and the freedom to be able to smell all the flowers blooming and have the wind in my face with my friends right next to me enjoying it too.”

Snapping their helmets on, packing their prizes away and kicking their kick stands up, the bikers fly their American Flags down the roads to go home until the next ride where they can meet up with their family away from home. It will not be until the next ride where they can meet up again.