Vance pilot makes AF rugby team

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Capt. John Lockard, left, an instructor pilot with the 8th Flying Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., avoids an opposing player during the 2012 Armed Forces Rugby championship in Glendale, Colo. Lockard was recently selected, for the eighth time, to play on the Air Force rugby team. (Courtesy photo)
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Vance pilot makes AF rugby team

Posted 5/22/2013

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by Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

5/22/2013 - VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- An instructor pilot with the 8th Flying Training Squadron was selected for the Air Force Rugby team and will compete in the 2013 Collegiate Rugby Championship May 29 through June 3 in Philadelphia.

Capt. John Lockard has been playing rugby since 2002 when he picked up the game during his time at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I played football at the Academy for a year but it just wasn't working out," said Lockard.

He began his pursuit of rugby in 2002 when his friends at the Academy suggested he try it instead of football.

Lockard graduated from the Academy in 2005 and the next year, while attending pilot training with Class 07-12 at Vance AFB, was selected to play on the Air Force Rugby team.

"I like to represent my squadron and the Air Force, and I think it reflects well on commanders to have their people participate in events like this," said Lockard, a native of Phoenix, Ariz.

The last time Lockard played with the Air Force team was in August, but he feels confident in their ability to perform.

"We all know the drill, the game plan is the same," said Lockard.

Last year Lockard claimed he would be passing the torch to the next generation of players. But by playing more this year, and with the attention rugby is getting, his interest was renewed.

"Plus, I really enjoy playing, even though I might have to train a little harder to keep up with the young bucks," he said.

Lockard works out twice a day, six days a week to stay in shape.

The rugby tournament in Philadelphia this year will use seven-man teams as the official format.

Comments

5/28/2013 12:00:44 PM ET
I find it funny to read the negative comments throughout the AF news stories. I've been playing IntramuralVarsityAF level sports since I've been in and it has never negatively impacted the mission. Most games are after duty hours and tournaments are normally during holidays to minimize mission manning loss. It's no different than someone taking leave during these times with exception of the leave status. Mark is right I haven't seen a dime of the AF's money for any of the events we took part in. We always have had to establish private orgs and raise the moeny ourselfs through fund raisers and donations or out of pocket.

SSgt Goodman, Scott AFB

5/28/2013 7:58:13 AM ET
John in KansasMost if not all AF level Sports are permissive TDY with little to no offical funding and 2xday workouts can easily be accomplished if a person is committed to a prgm which the Capt appears to be. T-birds and other cuts have nothing to do with this endeavor

Mark, Germany

5/24/2013 1:25:23 PM ET
Lockard works out twice a day six days a week to stay in shape. Doesn't he have a job This sounds to me like the physical fitness equivalent of translating the T-6 Dash-1 into Klingon. Meanwhile as sequestration has ended the T-birds and most legitimate training TDYs the Air Force continues to have a rugby team

John, Kansas

5/24/2013 12:10:58 PM ET
Congrats Capt

Hooker, In the Scrum

5/23/2013 11:33:25 AM ET
That guy has the quads of a thoroughbred racehorse

Vlad, MacDill

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