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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Niagara offers Free Beginner and Experience Rider Motorcycle Courses

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Marty Viggato
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station --  21 May was the beginning of our motorcycle classes held at the Niagara Falls ARS, New York. 10 Students participated in the 15 hours of instruction to obtain their New York State Motorcycle License. The beginner class has 5 hours of in class instruction and 10 hours of hands on riding training. The training is free and a benefit of being in the military or DoD. Downtown sites cost $275.00.
Students in this class were from the home units of the 914 and 107 Airlift Wings and included Army and Navy personnel from local units. This is the seventh year that the new curriculum from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course has been taught at the Reserve Station. We train all branches of the military, active and retired, dependents, homeland security, customs and other DoD agencies.
Our rider coaches are MSgt Wayne Bridges from the 107th ANG, Capt Dan Stayner, MSgt's James Cooke and Marty Viggato are from 914th AFRC, Mr. Doug Bald (retired) from the USCG and two of our newest coaches come to us from Homeland Security, Mr. Michael Hester and Mr. Jason Heckler. Mr. Al Davidson (Retired USAFR) is the site administrator; the one who every class is there to assists coaches with range setup and brings water out to the range. He updates the MSF Database and makes sure all of our instructional supplies are available.
We are off to a great start this year with one BRC down and three more be offered. Our next class dates will be 25 -27 June , 23-25 July and 24-26 September 2010. Our range is the newest in Western New York, just last year we had it repainted.
Along with teaching new riders we also have two Experience Riders Courses (ERC) being taught. They are scheduled for 10 July and 21 August 2010. Our August class is already filled. A third class may have to be added to support the needs of the military demand from this base. The next closest military installation offering this course is near Syracuse, 174 ANG base.
We have two Honda Nighthawk 250cc loaner motorcycles from Hamburg Honda and last year Hebelers loaned us a 250cc Suzuki. We have great support from the community. That is the only difference from civilian training vs military training is that most members ride their own motorcycles.
Any military of DoD agency member that is interested in taking the course should call the Safety office of the 914th at 716-236-2141 or the 107th Safety office at 716-236-6347.