Team Malmstrom members now allowed to ride ATVs on base

  • Published
  • By Airman Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Team Malmstrom members are now allowed to ride all-terrain vehicles and motorcycle side-passenger attachments (side cars) on Malmstrom Air Force Base. Recently, new safety criteria and road rules pertaining to the operation of ATV's and side cars has been written into regulations for Malmstrom, allowing Airmen to operate these vehicles legally on base.

According to base-side security forces personnel, the change has been implemented after many requests to wing leadership from Airmen of all ranks.

"The initial push to have ATVs and side cars came in the form of multiple questions from Airmen as to the possibility of riding on base," said Tech. Sgt. David Ellingson, 341st Security Forces Group NCO in charge of resources and sustainment.

"A lot of Airmen knew that these vehicles were legal to operate off base and wanted to be able to extend that ability to operate them on the installation," he continued. "The belief was that if they could ride legally off base, then on-base authorization made sense."

According to Ellingson, most of the reasoning that was talked about at the time was the savings in fuel consumption Airmen would see from utilizing this mode of transportation.

"At the time, gas prices were high and everyone was looking for a way to cut cost," said Ellingson.

Additionally, a large majority of the Airmen who brought this idea to their leadership were also not comfortable with the thought of only riding motorcycles due to only having two wheels on the ground instead of four.

After routing the requests through shop, wing and group leadership, as well as bringing the idea to attention in commander's calls, annual rider's briefings and motorcycle safety events, the proposal made it to the desk of the wing commander to take everything into consideration and make a final determination.

"This was not a fast, do it now decision," said Ellingson. "A lot of time and thought was put into the proposal and then vetted through command before we got to this point. I believe all of the work and effort put into this will be well worth the effort."

Safety regulations for operation of these vehicles is similar to that of motorcycles and obeying the base's rules of the road is a must, said wing safety personnel.

"Proper training and compliance with the state and base regulations, and vehicle owner's manual will help provide riders with a greater level of safety while riding ATVs or side cars," said Lt. Col. Mark Kasayka, 341st Missile Wing chief of safety.

Per AFI 91-207, "The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program," all ATVs must have headlights turned on at all times when operating on a Department of Defense installation, on or off-road. A certified helmet, personal protective equipment and retro-reflective material or belt must also be worn.

Opening the base up to ATVs and side-by-sides would most likely also allow for a larger population of the installation to utilize a vehicle that they both enjoy and feel safe operating as well, said Ellingson.

For those who do utilize these modes of transportation, the cost of commuting should also drastically decrease.

"Malmstrom has always been Wing One and I believe that this move will set the stage for other installations to follow," said Ellingson. "Many people underestimate the impact on morale this can have, but ask any rider and I am sure the answer you will get from the majority is that riding these vehicles and having this opportunity can be one of the best de-stressors in our tool kit."