Thunder on the Bayou

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The sun beats down on a quiet country road as the heat rises off the black top. An alligator basking in the sun's rays lays motionless in the vacant street. Suddenly, the ground begins to rumble, and pebbles from the loose asphalt begin to bounce. The alligator springs to life and waddles toward the swamp, while in the distance a group of lights grow larger as a thunderous roar echoes throughout the bayou. The sound grows louder as a pack of motorcycles blast past the cowering gator.

Team Barksdale members partook in Thunder on the Bayou, a motorcycle ride through Louisiana's Shreveport and Bossier City March 30.

"Thunder on the Bayou is the preseason kick-off for riders at Barksdale," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Signal, Green Knights sergeant-at-arms. "According to Air Force Instructions, we are required to have a preseason safety briefing about the previous year's mishaps and which personal protective equipment items have changed."

Motorcycle enthusiasts met at Chapel 2 on Barksdale for the mandatory preseason briefing which entailed educational safety videos, motorcycle mishap statistics and proper PPE.

"Motorcycle riders need to be covered from head to toe," said Percy Adams, 2nd Bomb Wing Safety Office. "The only thing a rider has to protect his or herself in the event of a mishap is PPE."

After the briefing, team Barksdale members saddled up for a 50-mile ride through the local area.

"It's nice to be able to get on the road, and enjoy the wind and relax," said Signal. "It's always fun to ride with others so you can get the camaraderie of riding with other people and talk about what you've seen on the road.

After the ride, the enthusiasts met up at the 2nd Maintenance Squadron accessories flight hangar for raffles, food, games and a bike show to boost morale and encourage other riders to come out.

"It's all about getting Airmen to come out of their dorm rooms," said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Carter, Green Knights president. "We want to mentor our Airmen and get them riding with the right people so they don't go downtown and get into trouble."

Local venders also attended the rally to promote safety equipment and socialize with participants.

According to Signal, the benefit of Thunder on the Bayou is to meet and mentor other riders, socialize with vendors, find out about new routes and most importantly, promote motorcycle safety.

As the thunderous roar approaches, a mix of cruisers, choppers, trikes, touring and sports bikes make up the colorful herd of metal and chrome charging through the bayou. Though their bikes are different, all the riders have one thing in common, a black vest with a green crest boasting the name Green Knights.