Friendly competition increases morale

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Footballs are tossed through a tire seven yards away. Softballs are heaved hundreds of feet. An Airman maneuvers a beach ball around nine cones, while others compete in several other activities including volleyball, softball throw and a 5K run. The competition is fierce...may the best team win. 

More than 450 Airmen participated in Offutt's annual Sports Day at the parade grounds here June 5. 

A 5K fun run kicked off the day's festivities as 77 Airmen did their best to outrun one another. Airman 1st Class David B. Brewster, an airborne linguist with the 97th Intelligence Squadron, took first place in the run with a time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds; only 7 seconds ahead of the second place finisher, Senior Airman David J. Smith, with the 55th Force Support Squadron. 

"I've overcome numerous injuries throughout my life so it's a blessing and an honor to compete," Airman Brewster said. It's an awesome thing to win this event. 

Sports Day offered members of Team Offutt an opportunity to uplift morale through competition in various games and athletic events, said Tech. Sgt. Dinesha R. Medina, a fitness supervisor with the 55th FSS. 

The event also fostered unit integrity and promoted physical fitness, Sergeant Medina said. 

According to Airman Brewster, all Airmen should take part in Sports Day. 

"Everyone should participate in events like this because you get to pour your heart into whatever your doing, and when it's all over you can shake the hand of the man next to you," Airman Brewster said. It's about competition, but it's also fun, he added. 

Taking time out for fun is something Staff Sgt. Aaron Molchak, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Offutt honor guard, said is a real benefit to all Airmen. 

"Events like this support team building, unit cohesion and create espirit decorps," Sergeant Molchak said. 

"We make the mission happen and it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind," Sergeant Molchak said. However, with events like these, Airmen have the opportunity to work as a team, have some fun and increase morale. 

"Fun is what it's all about," Sergeant Molchak added. 

During the event, Airmen earned points for their squadrons by performing in various sporting events including football toss, shot-put, softball throw, volleyball and a mini-obstacle course. 

The mini-obstacle course offered a unique challenge to its participants. Competitors started the event by running through 10 tires, then they had to maneuver a bowling ball in between 10 pins, kick a beach ball through nine cones, throw a hula hoop over a cone 18-feet away and then sprint to the finish line. 

Another interesting game, named corn hole toss, involved throwing a small sack through a hole on a platform 25-feet away. For each sack that went through the hole, an Airman earned 3 points for his or her squadron. For every sack that landed and stayed on the platform, 1 point was earned. 

Following the Sports Day contests, an awards ceremony was held at the Base Lake recognizing the first, second and third place finishers. 

The top three organizations are: 

1st Place 55th Operations Group..................... 235 points
2nd Place U.S. Strategic Command.................120 points 
3rd Place 55th Mission Support Group............100 points