KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- In fiscal 2012 the Air Force lost 18 Airmen due to motorcycle mishaps.

Eleven of those 18 operators were found to be at fault. Additionally, we had two Private Motor Vehicle-Motorcycle (PMV-2) mishaps resulting in permanent total disability.

More than 200 motorcycle mishaps (Class A, B, C and D) have been recorded in the Air Force Automated Safety System for fiscal 2012. The difference between a Class C or D mishap and a fatality is a matter of inches or timing.

Sport bikes are the primary type of motorcycle involved in these fatal mishaps. Enlisted members account for 100 percent of the fatalities with an average age of 25. Ten of the 18 were under the age of 25 and all Airmen were wearing a helmet. The majority of the mishaps involved a single vehicle mishap where the rider lost control either due to inattention, speed or misjudging a corner. Whatever the reason, human error is the leading cause of these senseless deaths.

With the fair weather remaining, riders will be trying to get as much seat time as possible before they park their motorcycles. This can lead to poor judgment and mishaps.

Please reach out to all Air Force riders and make one last push to promote safe riding. (Some suggestions on spreading this message and reaching our riders would be through commander calls, informal discussions in units and work centers, roll calls, flyers, unit web sites and through unit motorcycle safety representatives.)

Remind our riders that with changing seasons, the weather is unpredictable and may result in severe environmental hazards.

Working together let's do all we can to find a way to encourage the use of good sound judgment and safe behavior.

I know you're doing your very best to keep our Airmen safe and I sincerely appreciate your efforts toward promoting safety and mishap prevention.

Thank you for all you do.