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Barksdale celebrates Sports Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman La'Shanette V. Garrett
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale Airmen were up before sunrise May 25. This time, it wasn't for work -- they were out on the water at the Red River South Marina fishing, during the wing' s first event of the day for Sports Day.

This day was designed to improve team work and promote the Air Force's Fit-to-Fight mission, along with increasing fitness awareness, sport programs, and boosting morale.

"Sports Day is the culminating event to May Fitness Month," said Michael Kaplan, 2nd Force Support Squadron fitness and sports director. "It's also a chance for squadrons to obtain points towards the Commander's Cup. It gets Airmen out of the work center and outside participating in sports, which is especially good for those who have sedentary jobs."

More than 1,500 Team Barksdale members and their families, along with various vendors from the base and community, participated or give their support for the competition.

There were 26 squadrons participating in the team-sport scheduled events throughout the day. Some of the events included the fishing tournament, a rucksack relay race, flag football, bowling, racquetball, sandlot volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, tug-of-war, push-up-a-thon and time trial.

"These types of friendly competitions give the squadrons and units a chance to build team work," said Staff Sgt. Johnnie Powell, 2nd Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of intramural sports. "It's also a great opportunity for the different squadrons to get to know one another and increase networking."

At the completion of the event, Team Barksdale gathered at the athletic field outside the fitness center for a hotdog and burger burn before the announcement of the winning squadron.

The day proved to be a success for the 26th Operational Weather Squadron, who walked away with the Sports Day Trophy for their squadron and bragging rights for the next year.

"We won it in 2009 and missed it by two points last year," said Staff Sgt. Tristan Carden, 26 OWS shift supervisor. "We're definitely coming back again for the title next year."

Mr. Kaplan said at the end of the day he hopes Airmen have gained a sense of pride in their squadron and built more espirit d'corps.