Air Force Blue welcomes Carolina Blue

  • Published
  • By Landy C. Schwiesow
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Young men strolled in with many wearing cargo shorts, each with a different color polo, neat, tidy and very well-mannered. They were followed by other dignitaries, leadership, Airmen and family members. They all had one thing in common - the color blue. 

Carolina blue and Air Force blue came together June 15 as the 55th Wing hosted the University of North Carolina baseball team, from Chapel Hill, N.C., at the Patriot Club for a barbecue luncheon followed by a tour of the base. 

The team, staff and family members who were here rooting for the team in the College World Series ate and mingled with members of Team Offutt many who were Tar Heel fans. 

Offutt has hosted a team from the CWS for more than 20 years. 

When all were seated for this year's event, Col. Robert Maness, 55th Wing vice commander, took center stage and welcomed the Carolina contingent. He then congratulated them on their fourth consecutive trip to the CWS and wished them the best of luck. 

Soon after, the fans in attendance went from table to table, meeting the team and gathering autographs. The team and staff were obliging and everyone, including their family members, appeared to enjoy themselves during the luncheon. 

"This was a great experience, especially for the players," said Beth Miller, a senior associate athletic director for UNC. It was nice to visit and talk with people from the base, she added. "It was very special. The players are loving it." 

The players had nothing but good things to say of their after-luncheon tour of Offutt.
Mike Cavasinni, a Tar Heel junior and outfielder from Charlotte, N.C., said, he had been looking forward to visiting the base and thought the experience was awesome. 

Dining alongside him was another teammate, Levi Michael, a switch-hitting freshman and multi-position player from Welcome, N.C. When asked his thoughts on the day's events, he shot a glance to Mr. Cavasinni and grinned. 

"We appreciate you having us here and for all that you do for us," Michael said. The team members and staff were excited to go on the tour. 

If all players had been asked the same question, chances are many answers would have been the same. The players showed great appreciation for the sacrifices servicemembers make and the jobs they do. They offered up thanks to Team Offutt for a job well done. 

The team's admiration and respect was reciprocated. While they held Team Offutt in high regards, the fans from Offutt did the same. 

"Meeting the [UNC] baseball team was a fantastic experience I enjoyed very much," said Maj. John Morgan, chief of outreach for U.S. Strategic Command public affairs. 

"The Tar Heels were very respectful and friendly and I would like to thank them once again for taking time out of their busy schedule to meet us," said Airman Basic Brandon Lester, a paralegal with the wing's judge advocate office. 

"I was very impressed with how courteous all of the players were," said Airman 1st Class Rachael Niles, internal medicine clinic technician with the 55th Medical Group. "They represent their state well. It was very nice of them to take time out of their busy schedule to support the troops. It's always nice to know our hard work is appreciated." 

After lunch, the players, staff and family members toured an RC-135 aircraft, saw a military working dog demonstration and visited the base armory. Additionally, the three team captains, Adam Warren, pitcher from New Bern, N.C.; Garret Gore, second baseman and outfielder from Wilmington, N.C.; and Mike McKee, catcher from Arden, N.C., got time "flying" the RC-135 flight simulator.