Fort Bliss Monitor

Wilson A. Rivera

Fort Bliss Deputy Commander Col. Heidi V. Brown and Chief-of-Staff Col. David Mann, check out the
detail and accessories on the U.S. Army Chopper.

Bliss bikers hit the road

Wilson A. Rivera
Monitor Staff

More than 300 Soldiers and civilians arrived early Sept. 27 at the Fort Bliss Air Defense Artillery Museum for a motorcycle run.

The 50-mile route took riders out Bliss gates and onto the Patriot Freeway toward New Mexico, around the Franklin Mountains, past farmland off Doniphan Road and back to post over Transmountain Road.

The focus of the ride was to offer inexperienced riders a way to familiarize themselves with motorcycle safety.
“We are not invincible,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, U.S. Army Accessions commander, Initial Military Training deputy commander.

Van Antwerp led the beginning of the run riding the Army’s custom built military themed chopper. With 46 years of riding experience, Van Antwerp offered his knowledge of safety and awareness to the crowd and also explained that the road can be shared by both automobiles and motorcycles.

The Army commissioned the construction of a one-of-a-kind theme bike in June 2005. The Army Chopper features an OD green coating, Army combat uniform digital pattern seating and an inscription of the Warrior Ethos on top of the fuel tank.

Everyone who participated in the run had to register and conduct a motorcycle safety inspection check.
Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers provided coffee, refreshments and snacks, while music was performed as participants talked with established riders and looked at new models of cruisers and sports bikes offered by local retailers.

According to Master Sgt. Terry L. Smith, NCOIC, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security, other Army installations are also starting pilot motorcycle mentorship programs and holding events such as this one.

“I heard a lot of positive things about the run,” said Smith. “Some have never seen outside El Paso and its scenery.”

The Fort Bliss Military Police helped with the safety of the riders by directing traffic at intersections.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Oct. 5, 2006

	Wilson A. Rivera Fort Bliss Deputy Commander Col. Heidi V. Brown and Chief-of-Staff Col. David Mann, check out the detail and accessories on the U.S. Army Chopper. Bliss bikers hit the road Wilson A. Rivera Monitor Staff More than 300 Soldiers and civilians arrived early Sept. 27 at the Fort Bliss Air Defense Artillery Museum for a motorcycle run. The 50-mile route took riders out Bliss gates and onto the Patriot Freeway toward New Mexico, around the Franklin Mountains, past farmland off Doniphan Road and back to post over Transmountain Road. The focus of the ride was to offer inexperienced riders a way to familiarize themselves with motorcycle safety. “We are not invincible,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, U.S. Army Accessions commander, Initial Military Training deputy commander. Van Antwerp led the beginning of the run riding the Army’s custom built military themed chopper. With 46 years of riding experience, Van Antwerp offered his knowledge of safety and awareness to the crowd and also explained that the road can be shared by both automobiles and motorcycles. The Army commissioned the construction of a one-of-a-kind theme bike in June 2005. The Army Chopper features an OD green coating, Army combat uniform digital pattern seating and an inscription of the Warrior Ethos on top of the fuel tank. Everyone who participated in the run had to register and conduct a motorcycle safety inspection check. Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers provided coffee, refreshments and snacks, while music was performed as participants talked with established riders and looked at new models of cruisers and sports bikes offered by local retailers. According to Master Sgt. Terry L. Smith, NCOIC, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security, other Army installations are also starting pilot motorcycle mentorship programs and holding events such as this one. “I heard a lot of positive things about the run,” said Smith. “Some have never seen outside El Paso and its scenery.” The Fort Bliss Military Police helped with the safety of the riders by directing traffic at intersections.