Harley-Davidson will thank some 50,000 U.S. and Coalition Armed Forces serving in the Middle East this November and December, by teaming up with Bikes Over Baghdad for seven adrenaline-packed action sports performances at military bases throughout Iraq and Kuwait.

“Harley-Davidson shares a deep sense of freedom and patriotism with the
U.S. Armed Forces, and we are grateful for their many sacrifices,
dedication and hard work,” said Mike McCann, director of core customer
marketing at Harley-Davidson. "We have a long-standing relationship
with the U.S. Military, and teaming up with Bikes Over Baghdad is a
great way to show our appreciation. We are honored and excited to be
part of this tour.”

Bikes Over Baghdad (BOB) is a BMX exhibition made up of an elite
handful of the world’s best action sports athletes, announcers and ramp
builders. The upcoming tour is the third of its kind, following two
popular visits in 2009. McCann will be joining the team November 28
through December 9 as they travel to Iraq and Kuwait to perform for an
estimated 20,000 U.S. troops, most of whom have little or no access to
entertainment of any kind.

For the athletes who make up the tour – Chad Kagy, Brian Kachinsky,
Mike Escamilla, Anthony Napolitan, Drew Bezanson, Zack Yankush, Mykel
Larrin, Ron Kimler and Nate Wessel – BOB3 means putting their lives at
risk to provide a few hours of escape, excitement, and camaraderie with
those who have given everything to protect America’s freedom.

“Our mission in Iraq is simple. We want to show the troops that we
care, that America hasn’t forgotten about them,” said Brian Kachinsky,
an X Games bronze medalist who participated in the first two BOB tours
and calls the experience “exhilarating, intense and life-changing.”
He’ll never forget performing in 120-degree heat and shaking hands with
soldiers who thanked him for being there. “It’s crazy when the troops
thank us for performing,” said Kachinsky. “We’re the ones who should be
thanking them. They’re the real heroes, not us.”

Kachinsky’s highlights of past BOB tours include flying in a
Blackhawk helicopter, sleeping in Saddam Hussein’s palace, detonating
C4 explosives, and experiencing what daily life is like for the troops
in Iraq. But it was time simply spent hanging out with the troops,
talking about their families, homes, and war zone experiences that
really made an impact on BOB team members. They were told time and
again by service men and women that, for just a few hours, they were
able to forget they were in Iraq.

“The troops love the adrenaline and excitement of the Bikes Over
Baghdad shows,” said McCann. “It’s an incredible feeling for us to get
to participate in something that celebrates and shares the spirit of
youthful adventure for which Harley-Davidson has long been known.”

McCann will give out free Harley-Davidson MotorClothes and other
merchandise and gifts at each performance. One service member will also
win a brand new 2011 Harley-Davidson XR1200X motorcycle.