YOKOTA AIR BASE Japan --
A new force in the Yokota and local community stepped on to
the field in March, 2016. The Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club, chapter
136, is here to support Department of Defense riders as well as to contribute
to the community at large.
The Green Knights are a dedicated group of riders who formed
to address the concerns of military motorcyclists and foster mentorship among
riders of all levels. Their contributions to the community extends to supporting
causes that they believe in.
The club took to the highways in support of the cure for
breast cancer with their inaugural “Bikers for Boobies” ride Oct. 16, 2016. Twenty-five
members, including on-base and local Japanese nationals, accepted the
invitation to ride and donated almost $1,000 towards breast cancer research.
“We just want to give back,” Said Scott “Sparky” Northcutt,
374th Force Support Squadron Aero Club chief of maintenance and
Green Knights Chapter 136 president. “Motorcyclists are one of the most charitable
communities out there.”
The Green Knights are an international organization with 140
chapters at bases across the world, welcoming all DoD personnel, dependents and
retirees. They even have some international allies such as the Royal Air Force,
Irish Defense Force, Belgium military and more. Worldwide, the Knights are
known for supporting charitable causes and developing skills among riders.
According to Northcutt, the Yokota chapter intends to
participate in the Tokyo Toy Run 2016 in December. Participants dress up in
Christmas costumes, decorate their bikes and ride to deliver toys to orphanages.
The event typically draws about 200 riders from across Tokyo.
Chapter 136 has hosted a number of mentorship rides since
its inception. The rides are meant to foster community and build skills with
proven techniques and practice. Road sweeps make sure no one is left behind and
Knights mix with guest riders to make sure everyone is safe.
“Mentorship means riders getting together to learn and grow
from each other,” said Northcutt. “Motorcycle riding is something that you need
to always be getting better at.”
Senior Airman Vance “Shaggy” Fenwick, 730th
Air Mobility Squadron maintenance operations controller and Green Knights
member, said that he enjoys riding with the GKMMC because of the vast wealth of
riding experience and knowledge the members have to offer. He feels a sense of
strength in numbers and confidence in sharing the road with experienced riders.
“Having bikers together in staggered formation hopefully
increase the odds of me being seen as a rider,” Fenwick said.
According to Fenwick, the knights have a lot to offer the
community and their members; being an active duty Airman serving overseas, he remarked
on the familiarity he feels within the GKMMC.
“The club is like a small family, and each member brings
a positive energy to the family,” Fenwick said. “Home is never far away when
you have family trips on the open road.”
The Green Knights are always looking for new members of all
experience levels on all motorcycle types. Applicants must prove their
dedication and values by participating in meetings and events. The vetting
process typically takes about two months. Prospective members receive a sponsor
for mentorship and evaluation. Applicants may also obtain a riding vest and
begin sewing on certain patches. Upon gaining full membership a knight sews on
the Green Knights colors and receives a road name such as Tank, Sparky and Chip.
“What's better then hanging out with a bunch of people
who enjoy riding as much as I do?” Fenwick said.
Northcutt welcomes anyone to attend the monthly meetings
advertised on the Green Knights Chapter 136 Facebook page. Nonmembers are also
welcome to post on the Facebook page to find people to ride with. The club
intends to hold a newcomer’s meeting in April to actively recruit members and more
club information is available on the page.