SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Over a dozen motorcycle riders from within the 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, participated in the brigade's annual motorcycle safety ride May 15, here.
With the forecast calling for clear skies after four days of rain, Watchdog motorcyclists were happy as they gathered under the brigade's gazebo for the safety brief.
Leading the event, Sgt. 1st Class Michael VanHise, a motorcycle mentor with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th MP Brigade, gave an in-depth brief about the route and destination.
This year, VanHise explained that the riders would be going to Diamond Head State Monument where they will tour the Hawaii State Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center.
VanHise warned the riders and said that the brigade was lucky to be allowed into the park with their motorcycles.
"Do not rev your engines in that tunnel," VanHise said. "The noise is incredibly loud and most of those tourists aren't familiar with American motorcycles or the noise they make. It can scare them."
VanHise recalled a previous incident and added, "It has happened before and HPD (Honolulu Police Department) was called."
Despite the warnings, VanHise encouraged the group to have fun and enjoy ride.
Before releasing the riders, VanHise made certain every rider was confident with the route; understood the riding rules and ensured all safety checks were complete by the mentors.
As a motorcycle mentor in the 39th MP Detachment, 728th MP Battalion, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Walker said that the rides were meant to mentor and educate the younger Soldiers.
"It's about having eyes on them and teaching these riding skills to the junior riders," Walker said. "So that when they're out there, they can ride their motorcycles safely."
"It's also about having fun too," he added.
Finally, the riders mounted up onto their bikes, and strapped into their helmets. After donning the rest of their safety gear, engines revved and the group roared out of the brigade's parking lot.
Arriving safely at their destination, the riders were greeted by staff members of Hawaii's State Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center.
Leading the tour through the center, the earthquake and tsunami program planner, Kevin Richards, was more than happy to educate the group about the center's capabilities and history.
As Richards led the group inside, he informed them about what they were actually entering.
"This is a bunker," Richards said. "To give you an idea about how deep this actually goes, there's a tunnel underneath that is filled with water and the water is so clear that you can shine a light straight through it."
After learning about the bunker's history, past visitors and Hawaii's many emergency plans, the hour-long tour ended.
"There's a lot of history in that place," Sgt. Dustin Trail, team leader, 57th MP Company, 728th MP Bn., said about the tour. "It was awesome to see."
"I loved it," said Staff Sgt. Ernie Reese, motorcycle mentor for 57th MP Co. "It's all about fellowship and it's great when riders can get together like this."
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