LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
On a cool Friday morning, the sound of more than 20 motorcycles starting their engines fill the air around the Langley Air Force Base Community Center parking lot.
This is not merely a day off for these bikers. Some have daughters they want to protect, while some may have a painful history with the issue. Others simply respect their fellow Airmen and want to show they care.
This ride of solidarity is one to promote sexual assault awareness.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and motorcycle enthusiast Angie Woods, a Langley AFB Sexual Assault Prevention Readiness trainer, planned an event April 6 for those who have a yearning for the wind on their face.
"I love riding motorcycles," said Woods. "I wanted to bring awareness to a diverse group of people."
While the thrill of the ride is fun, the message is most important, said Woods.
"(Sexual assault is) not just happening on base," said Woods. "So be a good wingman. We can't afford to lose an Airman."
To accentuate the importance of sexual assault awareness, U.S. Army Col. Reggie Austin, 633rd Air Base Wing vice commander, made an appearance and shared his insight at the event.
"I want to reiterate that we all need to be cognizant of the impact to the individual families and community when someone is sexually assaulted," Austin said.
An advocate for sexual assault awareness, Austin said he plans participate in a variety of the base's SAAM events, including in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes later this month, where men don ladies' shoes for a walk to impart the significance of battling sexual assault and abuse.
Prior to the ride-out, a few riders shared their insight on why they chose to join the event.
"I get to ride for something," said Staff Sgt. Toron Hines, a 1st Maintenance Squadron fuel systems technician. "I do it for the esprit de corps as well."
"I'm doing it to promote awareness," said Master Sgt. Nakisha Turner-Brown, an Air Combat Command Communication Support Squadron section chief. "Sexual assault affects all."
The bikers took a scenic route to the James River ferry and back, totaling 80 miles.
"The ride-out itself went better than expected," said Master Sgt. Robert Mediavilla, the 633rd Medical Group first sergeant and lead road captain for the event. "Overall, it was a big success."
Mediavilla said he was motivated to participate by the thought of his 3-year-old daughter and how detrimental sexual assault is to the mission.
Just as important to the promoting the message of protecting others from sexual assault was the emphasis on motorcycle safety. Senior Airman Andrew Hill, an ACC CSS support technician ensured riders wore appropriate protective gear, practiced safe riding techniques and made corrections when appropriate.
Woods said she plans on making the ride-out an annual event. She thinks if the chilly weather didn't deter riders, it is very probable to get even more riders out next year.