Area bikers join members of the Green Knight Chapter 103 club to participate in a runway ride as part of the War on Hunger fund raiser held at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Brent J. Davis)
Tech Sgt. Andy Ford, an air reserve technician avionics technician with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, preps his mother, Deb Ford, for the War on Hunger event participant registration duties. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Brent J. Davis)
Senior Master Sgt. Darin Wesoloski, an air reserve technician fabrication flight chief with the 910th Maintenance Squadron, gives a safety breifing to the War on Hunger event volunteers prior to arrival of the participants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Brent J. Davis)
A member of the Green Knights Chapter 103 displays his embroidered club logo. More than 40 Air Force reservists, civilian employees and retirees from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, belong to the club. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Brent J. Davis)
by Maj. Brent J. Davis
910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
10/1/2012 - YOUNGSTOWN-WARREN REGIONAL AIRPORT, Ohio -- Senior Master Sgt. Darin Wesoloski and Tech Sgt. Andy Ford enjoy working on $36 million, 4,500 horsepower C-130H Hercules aircraft here. Their fun meters, however, peak when they ride their motorcycles.
The Citizen Airmen with the 910th Maintenance Squadron have been motorcycle enthusiasts since they were teens. The duo recently helped form a motorcycle club at Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
Not just any club. Riders on the station wear the distinctive green and white patch of the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club, Chapter 103. There are 110 GKMMC chapters around the world, all dedicated to "addressing the needs and concerns of military riders through education, safety and the shared joy of riding," according to the club's website.
"The Green Knights Chapter 103 was formed for mentoring and motorcycle safety," said Ford, a rider coach. He has taught motorcycle safety courses for the last six years.
Chapter 103 held its first meeting at Youngstown ARS in April and planned "War on Hunger," its first fund raiser. The Sept. 29 event was held here, starting with a ride down the airport runway and ending in Sharon, Pa.
"The purpose of the event was to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and the Food Warehouse of Mercer County," said Ford.
Although only 15 non-club members pre-registered, more than 180 bikers participated in the fund raiser runway ride including 93-year-old Fred Kubli, Jr., 910th Airlift Wing honorary commander.
As of Oct. 1, the event raised more than $2,400. Event planners say donations continue to roll in.
