Slippery Weasel: gaining confidence to drive this winter

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  It's the peak of the winter season, with snow and ice at its worst and road conditions making it extremely hard to drive.

For this reason, the 35th Fighter Wing Safety Office is offering their yearly winter driving class called the Slippery Weasel Course, which prepares drivers for situations that happen while driving in winter weather conditions. There are two more classes left for interested parties on Feb. 15 and March 1, from 9 to 11 a.m.

"The Slippery Weasel course is designed to help individuals who are not used to driving in the snowy or icy conditions," said Tech Sgt. Kevin Dotson, 35 FW ground safety technician. "It lets them gain more confidence in different emergency situations."

According to first time winter drivers, the course proved effective in boosting self-confidence and helping them gain experience under these conditions in a controlled environment.

"Before the course I was scared," said Karla Arnold, Slippery Weasel student. "I thought I was going to panic and be all over the road. Now, I am a lot more comfortable and confident; I can handle my car."

Although this course is designed to help drivers who are new to snowy and icy conditions, experienced drivers are still welcome to attend the class. In fact, even if you are used to driving in these wintery conditions, you may find the class useful.

"I was pretty confident in driving in the snow, but I knew there was a lot more to learn," said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Wilcher, Navy Information Operations Command and Slippery Weasel student. "Misawa is constantly under a blanket of snow. I wanted to learn more techniques toward driving safely."

At the Slippery Weasel road course, there are two parts of the hands-on training. One area focuses on accelerating and testing your car's braking capabilities and the other tests your car's ability to make turns with ice or snow under the wheels.

"I liked the course," said Wilcher. "I learned a lot about my car and I was able to learn my limits. The best way to learn your limits is to break them and the course gave me the opportunity to do that."

The 35 FW Safety Office received straight tens on their student surveys, which meant every student was more than satisfied with the course and what was taught to them throughout the morning.

"I recommend this course to everyone," said Wilcher. "It was very helpful, even if you have been driving in snow for awhile. There is always something new to learn."

To sign-up for this hands-on snow and ice driving course, have your 4EJ license ready and call the 35 FW Safety Office at 226-2702 or email them at 35fw.se@misawa.af.mil.