CAMP SHELBY, Miss. -- More than 40 motorcycle riders from the 158th Infantry Brigade participated in a motorcycle mentorship ride here and toured Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula June 10.
The ride was part of the 158th motorcycle mentorship program that teaches riders the proper use of safety equipment and how to conduct preventive maintenance on their motorcycles. In addition, rides such as this build a new rider’s confidence in traveling in groups.
158th Command Sgt. Maj. Herlon Stephens has been riding bikes for years and knows how important it is to teach new riders maintenance.
“Before we ride there is a safety inspection,” said Stephens. “It’s easy to get complacent and forget to check something, so having someone else check out your equipment corrects that.”
The 158th staff coordinated with multiple organizations including the Navy, the State of Mississippi, county governments, the city of Pascagoula, and Northrop Grumman to ensure a safe ride. Once coordination was made with these organizations, they had to plan and execute the ride itself from transportation to communication to recovery and medical crews.
Lt. Col. Thomas Case, 158th executive officer, helped to coordinate this year’s ride.
“We probably have more deaths and accidents already this year than what we had last year,” he said on the importance of this annual ride.
When the group reached the shipyard employees of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems held American flags welcoming them with applause. The group was then lead on a bus tour of the shipyard to view the process of building a ship starting with raw material that was brought in.
The bus tour ended at the incredible USS Arlington, which is the eighth ship in the San Antonio amphibious transport dock class and the second of three ships being built to honor the heroes of 9/11. The other two ships are named the USS New York and the USS Somerset.
Diane Ware, a sheet metal mechanic, is proud of the USS Arlington and the heroes the ship’s name represents.
“The attacks of Sept. 11 attempted to bring America down, but it only made us stronger,” said Ware. “I am proud to be an American, building ships that will defend our nation.”
Tim Farrell, vice president of the landing ship transport program, joined the Soldiers for the ride again this year. Last year Farrell rode to Camp Shelby to escort Soldiers to the shipyard and said he will continue to ride with the Soldiers and show them around Northrop Grumman as long as they want to come.
“From our perspective (shipbuilders) there is nothing we would not do to honor and thank our Soldiers,” said Farrell. “To be a part of a program that promotes their safety is important to us.”
-30-
Social Sharing