Cross-country training pools experience, skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha M. Lee
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MARHAM, England (AFNS) --  Members of the 100th Air Refueling Wing united with their Royal Air Force counterparts to build cross-service relationships and military skills during Leadership, Ethos and Air Power Day here Dec. 6.

Participants in station LEAP Day were taken from all sections of Royal Air Force Marham and RAF Mildenhall, England. They were broken into 16 teams, which performed various tasks, competing against each other for points.

Activities of the day included paintball capture the flag, target practice, a low-ropes challenge and a mind-over-matter exercise.

"The goal of station LEAP is to offer a fun and engaging training day to all personnel to develop station cohesion," said RAF Sgt. Dai Smoldon, from RAF Marham. "A competitive point-based scoring system further engenders team spirit; it helps to encourage team building, leadership, increased integration and personal development for RAF personnel."

Station LEAP Day is only one part of the overall LEAP process, and just one way the RAF force-development policy is delivered, Sergeant Smoldon said.

The primary purpose of force development is to prepare all service personnel, regardless of rank, to meet the challenges of operations and warfare through life experiences.

LEAP was conducted in a safe training environment, allowing participants to show individual character, spirit and attitude while facing physical and mental challenges.

"Teams were diverse with members from both the U.S. Air Force and RAF, including both officer and enlisted ranks," said Tech. Sgt. Travis Romesha, from the 100th ARW Inspections and Readiness Office. "All team members brought strengths to the different events."

Also during LEAP Day, servicemembers learned about the differences and similarities of the two forces.

"It was a great opportunity to work with RAF (Airmen) and see the different workings of the air force from another country," said Capt. Alex Waxman, of the 351st Air Refueling Squadron.

"The RAF airmen were outstanding, and working with them gave me a better understanding of their mission, lifestyle and unit structure," Sergeant Romesha said.

Capt. Lance Ratterman, of the 100th ARW Inspections and Readiness office, also had positive feedback on the experience.

"I liked almost everything about LEAP Day," he said. "Getting away from my computer (to) work with other Airmen from (RAF) Mildenhall and our RAF counterparts at RAF Marham was an awesome opportunity."