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Motorcycle Rally on the Flight Line

Motorcycle Rally and Safety Fair participants take advantage of a unique opportunity to have their photo taken on the base flight line with a Global Hawk at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., on May 17, 2013. The 319th Safety Office hosted a safety standdown day that concentrated on the importance of making smart choices on the road, on the water, and on vacation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis)

Motorcycle Rally and Safety Fair

Members of the local chapter of Shriners attended the Motorcycle Rally and Safety Fair in the Fast Eddie’s parking lot as part of a wing safety standdown day May 17, 2013, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The Shriners performed a synchronized motorcycle performance and held their own slow race during the rally. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis)

Motorcycle Rally and Safety Fair

Tech. Sgt. Emily Wilczek, Airman Dormitory Leader, left, competes against Master Sgt. Scott Freed, 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office, in the slow race portion of the Motorcycle Rally and Safety Fair as part of a wing safety standdown day May 17, 2013, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The object of the slow race is for riders to be the first to cross the finish line while riding their bikes as slowly as possible from one end of the parking lot to the other without losing their balance. Wilczek was named the overall winner of this year’s slow race. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis)

Grand Forks AFB kicks off 101 Critical Days of Summer with Safety Day 2013

Published May 22, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Warriors of the North gathered at the 3-Bay Hangar here May 17 for a safety standdown to hear an important message about how to keep themselves, their friends and loved ones out of harm's way as cooler North Dakota temperatures finally give way to summer warmth.

Safety standdowns are part of a continuing effort to reduce the number of accidents and deaths of military members and Department of Defense civilians while on leave or taking part in recreational activities.

"We have a fantastic safety record here at Grand Forks Air Force Base, and it's got very little to do with the safety shop," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Castellanos, 319th Air Base Wing chief of safety. "It has everything to do with leadership, and supervisors that leaders put over their Airmen, and the focus that you put on safety and making good decisions."
Andy Swenson, 319th Safety Office ground safety manager, covered the importance of safety on the road, on the water, and on vacation.

He also emphasized the necessity for military members to wear their personal protective equipment while riding a motorcycle, whether on or off base, regardless of North Dakota's current helmet laws.

"If you're an on-base rider, you have to wear all the required gear," he said. "If you're a military member, you still need to wear the required gear off base. It might be weird seeing people riding downtown with no helmet on, but they're civilians, they're not military members. You can't do that."

Motorcycle safety was highlighted throughout the day with a Motorcycle Rally and Safety Fair held in the Fast Eddie's parking lot, which featured a motorcycle show, slow-ride competition and a unique opportunity for a group ride on the flight line and photo with a Global Hawk.

Col. Paul E. Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, left Warriors of the North with a few thoughts to consider as the weather warms up.

"If there's one thing that keeps commanders awake at night, as I think some of the other commanders here can attest to, it's the safety of their folks," he said. "Your safety is paramount in my eyes and hopefully in the eyes of every Airman in this hangar right now. Consider the impact of your actions, not just on yourself, but on those around you, and make smart decisions."