Airman hits horse on open range section of Airbase Road

"an airman driving a 2000 Lexus L47 SUV "

Wow!! I guess military pay has improved. Gosh, I hope the airman's last name isn't Gilespie. (wink)

Unfortunately financial education is not given or stressed nearly as much as it should be for our young airmen. I am more upset at the supervisor for not educating this individual about financial matters, but who is to say the supervisor is any better...

This is a 9 year old SUV..... most likely valued around $15,000. So whats with the comment about financial matters all about...

Maybe we should be more upset at the Transportation Department for not having more signs on our rural state roads. After all not everybody that drives area roads are locals.....

My supervisor in private sector never gave me the talk on Open Range roads, wow about financial management...... There are work supervisors not parents.....

It's a shame that his car was damage, hopefully it can be repaired..

Airman means ALL Air Force members. Who's to say this isn't an officer? I don't know who was involved - just trying to "see the rest of the story."

("an airman driving a 2000 Lexus L47 SUV "

Wow!! I guess military pay has improved. Gosh, I hope the airman's last name isn't Gilespie. (wink)

-- Posted by Beau on Thu, Mar 26, 2009, at 2:58 AM)

I love seeing unproductive comments like this. It's not that the pay as improved, it's more like the person is smart enough to manage their money to afford such a vehicle. As one other comment stated it's 9 yrs. old. May have been purchased used.

(Unfortunately financial education is not given or stressed nearly as much as it should be for our young airmen. I am more upset at the supervisor for not educating this individual about financial matters, but who is to say the supervisor is any better...

-- Posted by Manshima on Thu, Mar 26, 2009, at 9:12 AM)

Another senseless comment. If the person can afford the vehicle than why would they need financial education? Not everyone has their priorities organized the same way. Everyone's "Needs vs. Wants" are different. Just be glad that no one was killed and that the horse so far is ok. Sickens me that people are more worried about other people's paycheck. As I see it the military isn't paid good enough. 30-40k/yr salary isn't a good price tag for one who sacrifices their life so you can have the right to make cheap comments about them.

First of all, the driver was a Master Sergeant and he can own what ever he thinks he can afford. Second, I came up on the accident right after it happened and it was very dark and 2 Bay horses were all but impossible to see until you were right on top of them, open range or not. Yes, we do need more signage to inform people of that law. There are way to many people on this banter box running there keyboards without a clue as to what the heck is going on or the circumstances around certain events. Lighten up on the opinions. Maybe we should all be a little more inquisitive instead of passing judgement.

I think the most important thing or things is that the Airman and the horse are still alive. I also hope the owner called a Vet and had him/her look over the horse to make sure there is no broken bones that would make it suffer. Just remember about people who live in glass house should not throw stones. You could be the headlines tomorrow. Military pay has improved so all can injoy the better things of Militar life.

First of all "Godfrey" alot of people speed on that road, not everyone does the speed limit on the road, so when someone dies on it, they blame the animals, or the weather or whatever it maybe. Animals may have a small percentage of accidents involved (KEYWORD:MAY HAVE) problem is people seriously speed and dont do the speed limit, and if people cant read a simple sign that say's "Open Range" then dont drive on Air Base Road.

To untouchable2k9, all the accidents I am refering to were caused by stock on the road, noy mabye or might have. I agree that folks do speed on the road but when the news paper comes out and says that someone hit an animal on the road, thats NOT "Might Have". Mabye I should dust of that old note.

Gregory S. Godfrey ( my real name, not some user name to hide behind!)

While we're on the subject, or should I say bouncing all around the subject, let's take this as far as we can, okay. Let's "run it up the flagpole and see who salutes", so to speak, since this is military related. Let's hit (yes, pun intended) "Open Range" first. It's not the counties that determine open range, it's the state. Idaho is an Open Range state. Counties then determine which roads are open range. I am sure that issue is discussed at length in the driving manuals. While not everyone on MHAFB has an Idaho driver's license, everyone on MHAFB is responsible to know, understand, and follow Idaho's Traffic Laws. 'Nuff said!

Let's slide into the second issue, and yes, that was another intended pun for all of you who do not understand satire!!! Gregory, you are an angry person!!! Over a horse and a Lexus of all things. You and untouchable2K9 really need to get together and have a group hug over coffee. Slip some Valium in yours and then go drive Idaho's open range with your gun and your note. By the way, what did the note say??? "Sorry about your cow???" Please be sure if you hit something that goes bump in the night that it's not a person walking on the road before you shoot and stick your note to the carcass.

Okay, we're speeding into the real meat of the blog. Holy cow, that's three, no wait, four puns in one blog. ("Holy Cow was the fourth for those of you who didn't catch it). Airbase Road has long been a deathtrap for people and animals alike. The main avenue for access to the base is Airbase Road. Duh, who'd a thunk? Get it??? You place that many vehicles headed one direction in a short period of time and there are going to be problems IF YOU DON'T DRIVE WITH THE LAWS AND CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS IN MIND!!! Now, why did I capitalize that? Because most of you don't drive that way. You want to get there, do your time, and get home. And you want to do it without concern for others or the rules of the road because after all, this is Mountain Home and we love you MHAFB. What, you're going to give me a ticket for 80 in a 65. Here, let me show you my military ID and maybe you'll see things differently officer. But everybody speeds, officer, and the horse was moving to slow! Here, let me get in the left hand lane in town and skid (sixth pun if you count "thunk" for those who are counting)past all you slow pokes in the right lane and then cross three lanes of traffic at the second (soon to be third) traffic light so I can hurry up and get to Amercian Legion Blvd.

Okay, I'm done and before you bash (pun 7)me (cause this is all about smacking (8) Gregory and Untouchable isn't it)I appreciate the base and what it does for the community. And for those who went or go in harm's way, thank you. For the rest of you, your rank is not a license to steal, speed, or kill horses.

Your thoughts?

I remember back in '85, during our new personnel briefing, being told about OPEN RANGE. I don't know if the same briefing is being told, it should be if it isn't. Basically, they said, "you hit it, you buy it." Simple enough to understand, I think.

OH and heaven forbid if any of you, (untouchable, sinister, gregory...)ever get the opportunity to live in the UK or any other European country. Sheep, goats, cattle, pigs...ABOUND on the roads over there. It's like they KNOW you're in a hurry and the laugh is on you. HA!

You can do everything possible to keep a horse in but it does not mean the horse will stay in. They can jump over fence and also go through fence. I am sure the horse owner could think of 100 places he/she would have rather had their family pet than AB Road IN THE DARK! Feel sorry for the poor horse that will never be the same and the guy in the car that will swerve now over a tumbleweed that he does not see well in the dark from here on out. Feel bad for the little kid that may have had his/her horse hurt.

And BY ALL MEANS...slow the heck down on AB Road---it is not the Indy 500 folks and it is OPEN RANGE where anything could be on the road. Believe me that the VERY LAST place a pet owner wants their pet to turn up is on a busy highway. I am sure it was all well thought out on the part of the owner to have those horses parked on that road to make someone's day. Ignorant comments get really ignorant responses.

I lost a horse to someone driving under the influence on AB Road. Well, I should be honest. I had sold the horse to someone who lived along AB Road, and they lost the horse, but I still cared, as did he. He was responsible, but someone else's dogs harassed that horse and one other, til they broke down the panels in panic, and the horse I sold was hit and killed in the dark in her panic. The Driver, under the influence, LEFT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, and went home. I forget how, but the police knew about him, and went to his home. Now, get this, though he was

1. DUI

2. Left the scene

He sued the owner of the horse for damage to his pickup. Hmmmmmmmm.....

I'm glad that driver was not hurt, that is always of utmost importance, but where was his compassion for God's creature? Where was his morality?

I'm glad the person in this new incident was not hurt or worse, and I hope the horse will be OK. But bashing without knowing the facts is wrong.

Jessie

I just had a horse hit on Bruneau highway, the vehicle was damaged and our horse was too, but recovery looks good. It is open range where we are too, however, I feel very lucky that the driver and her passengers were o.k. and that we made it through so far with our horse after a vet stay and alot of money, but still feel very lucky. I could have tried to get the person to pay for my horse, but I feel like my horses were out there, we have good fences, but I will tell you that there is some really nice brand new gates that contain our whole property and they are closed all of the time now. I just feel like we were all fortunate. I also try to think about how scary it was for the driver to hit that horse, and they actually only had one way to go because we had a few horses out together. We had to take responsibility for our animals and we did. It is just such a scary and emotional situation for all involved I am very grateful that everyone made it out alive, it rarely happens that way. I hope in this accident it works out the same.

WOW. I have read all your comments. Not many about the condition of the driver or the horse.

So let me jump in here. I am the spouse of an "airman" however his rank does not have "airman" in it. All AF guys are AIRMAN. Used to be fly boys but guess we have to be politically correct nowadays. If I wanted to drive a 9 year old SUV it would surely be in the budget for us. If I wanted to drive a 2009 SUV that too would fit our budget. What we choose to drive is our business, as long as we can afford to put gas in it, insure it and maintain it. Now if we want to compare apples to onions, how is that 16 year olds at the highschool can drive brand new Ford F350s when mom and dad have NO job? When you figure that one out let me know, because it is a true story. Perhaps, there is a "good pay load" out there for something that does not involve working.

Second the "airman" that hit the horse was an NCO, Master Sergeant if you will. To have a 9 year old vehicle show excellent financial responsibility! Not showy, not over expensive. He stopped and reported accident. Again responsible. And I am sure he is concerned about horse. Again responsible. Now again comparison: would one of Mtn Home's finest drug dealers have done any of those things, if their 16 year old had hit the horse with a brand new Ford F350 (notice the link there).

Now on to the horses being in the road. I own horses, not one, not two but MANY. I know that no matter what precautions I have taken they have gotten away from me, gotten out of the fences, gone thru gates, and went where they wanted to go. I am sure these owners are devestated by the injuries to their horse, and the "airman's" vehicle. Lay off them! Either offer help or shut up!

And for my final rant: Military pay SUCKS! We get paid less than the civilians doing the same job, however we do it for longer hours with no overtime, we do it far from home, we don't see our families for months at a time and we keep the bad guys from knocking on your door in the middle of the night. Next time you see a spouse, child or an airman try thanking them as you rip the money out of their hands that support your town!

kabrown, I am glad your horse will be okay. Very scary for driver and horse. I hope your horse will make a full recovery. Gates and fence can be tricky no matter what you do. If they want to get to the other side...they will. Good luck, I will hope for the best.