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Team Shaw holds a Rider Coach Preparation Workshop

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Fighter Wing Safety office hosted a Rider Coach Preparation Workshop here April 19 - 25.

The course taught Airmen and Soldiers how to lead the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Riders Courses One and Two. 

"Upon completion, these certified instructors will volunteer time on the weekends to meet Shaw's need to be able to provide required training to active duty motorcycle riders," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Bennett, 20th FW motorcycle safety representative. "The training will be open to all military and civilians at Shaw, but active duty members will have priority to open spots."

Chief Master Sgt. Roger Cromwell, 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, came to Shaw to teach the class.

"We need to make sure that our Airmen and Soldiers are able to ride a motorcycle with safe techniques," said Cromwell.

The students in the course spent one day of classroom instruction followed by four days on the range evaluating each other's riding ability.

"When I found out about this course I was so excited to take it," said 2nd Lt. Brian Cockroft, 20th Force Support Squadron force management chief. "The course has given me the knowledge and ability to be a strategic street rider and I can't wait to be able to teach others the skillset."

The final two days, the students were evaluated on their abilities to teach a basic riders course, where they received their teaching certification upon completion.

"After they are done I want students to take away good, safe habits," said Cromwell. "That's what we build on in this course. Most riders learn by trial and error while young, so we're here to teach them the correct, technical ways of riding."

For any questions on the basic motorcycle safety course contact the 20th Fighter Wing safety office at 803-895-1985.