Tinker first sergeants develop program to help motorcyclists Published Dec. 17, 2008 By Danielle Gregory 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- First sergeants here have formed a program entitled "Operation We Care" which allows them to identify motorcycle riders who may be at a higher risk of an accident. According to Master Sgt. Ronda White, whenever a first sergeant notices that a motorcycle has bad tires or that the paint of the motorcycle is scraped off from previously laying down the bike, the first sergeant will leave an "Operation We Care" card on the motorcycle with the potential safety issue identified on the back. "The card instructs the motorcycle rider to go see the rider's first sergeant," Sergeant White said. The face-to-face communication between motorcyclists and their first sergeants demonstrates that the first sergeants care about riders and the condition of their bikes. If the motorcycle needs to be fixed, first sergeants can recommend that the operator not ride the bike until the motorcycle is in proper working order. "The bottom line is that our people are our business," Sergeant White said. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and we need our people to complete the mission." Across the Air Force there has been a growing rate of motorcycle deaths and accidents. Officials are actively working to figure out what they can do to address the problem and solve it. "We can't complete the mission without our people," Sergeant White said. "People are our most important resource. The Air Force spends a lot of money training our people. Tinker's first sergeants are investing time and resources in an effort to make a difference and possibly save a life." Riders who receive a card on their motorcycle are responsible for bringing the card to their first sergeant within 24 hours or the next duty day. All the first sergeants track what motorcycle they leave cards on and communicate with other first sergeants so they know when to expect a visit. "The first sergeants want their military members to know 'we care' if you live or die," Sergeant White said. "If a trip to the shirt's office prompts you to put up your motorcycle until you get your new tires, then we have reached our goal and possibly saved your life."