OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --
Team Offutt members participated in the inaugural Warhawks Olympics June 15, 2023, on the Offutt Air Force Base parade grounds.
The Warhawk Olympics is a comprehensive Airman fitness initiative that involves the participation of the entire 55th Wing.
Former community support coordinator Almeda Giles originally spearheaded the event. She handed the reigns to Jimmy Weber, 55th Wing True North program manager, after retiring at the end of March. Chief Master Sgt. Melissa Royster, 55th Wing command chief, selected Senior Airman Briona Jones, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron airborne systems engineer, as an assistant CSC and Jones happily stepped up to the challenge.
“Col. Kristen Thompson and Col. Mark Howard had high interest in this event as the outgoing and incoming 55th Wing commander to be the jump for resiliency in the 55th Wing,” Jones said. “This event had to be a success. It’s awesome that I got to be the one to help make it successful.”
Jones found herself in a unique situation as she began her new role and started planning the Warhawk Olympics.
“I have never planned anything before, not even a birthday party, and I truly jumped into the deep end,” Jones said. “There were several meetings, phone calls and emails trying to not only figure out how to put on an event at such a massive scale, but also make sure wing leadership’s vision was executed.”
Weber witnessed Jones’ hard work and dedication as she coordinated with various organizations and brought each component together to accomplish the goal of wing leadership.
“Jones displayed tremendous team building and leadership skills throughout the entire planning and execution process,” Weber said. “I was especially impressed with her ability to coordinate volunteers from multiple Offutt organizations, such as the Company Grade Officer, First Sergeants, First Four, 5/6, Top Three and African American Heritage Councils. Without their support, the event wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.”
Jones greatly appreciated all the assistance and the positive feedback and compliments she received.
“This has definitely been a highlight of my time in the Air Force,” Jones said. “As a senior airman I pulled off a job that would’ve been assigned to a senior noncommissioned officer or a company grade office. I couldn’t have done it without all the help I received along the way. It’s super awesome to be known for something as awesome as throwing the first ever Warhawk Olympics.”
Weber is proud of all that Jones and the other Airmen accomplished throughout the event.
“Senior Airman Jones and 55th Wing Airmen like her give me confidence that the future of our Air Force is in good hands,” Weber said.