Scott Airmen come down with the Blues

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rhina Portillochacon
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  For many professional sports teams, summer training camp includes grueling exercises, early wake-up calls and countless hours of practice. Before their season kickoff, St. Louis Blues hockey players didn't expect to be low-crawling at Scott Air Force Base. 

The Blues visited Scott AFB Sept. 25 and 26 and participated in a series of challenges against the students from the First Term Airman Center and Airman Leadership School. 

"They are going to show you the American spirit. They'll demonstrate the courage and the spirit that the Air Force displays every day," said Col. Al Hunt, 375th Airlift Wing commander, before the events kicked off.

"This is a great opportunity. It's all about teamwork. Whether you are wearing the Blues uniform or the Air Force PT gear, get ready to rumble," he said.

The Blues were divided into four teams -- Accountability, Tension, Heart and Passion -- and faced the FTAC students in the first event, a tire race and low crawl relay. 

The Blues seemed like naturals in the events, improving their time as the competition went along, but the FTAC students began their relay strong, tying in second place with Tension, while Accountability took first. 

The second challenge proved to be a disadvantage for the Airmen who were not so adept at carrying a 165-pound dummy. The Blues smoked the litter carry and dummy drag events, tossing the heavy dummy like a feather between players. 

The Air Force teams came back and showed their skills in an area the Blues weren't  familiar with -- rock climbing. 

"Competing against each other makes it even more fun (to earn the bragging rights). I want to see what happens on the rock climbing wall. Let's see how many of our guys fall," said Blues goaltender Jason Bacashihua. 

The competition seemed close until ALS students, Senior Airmen Steven Kingsbury and Benjamin Peterson, climbed up the wall in a matter of seconds. 

Team Accountability won the challenges, taking first place in all of the events.

"I think the Air Force put their money where their mouth was and it was a great illustration of teambuilding, camaraderie and leadership among both teams," Colonel Hunt said.

Colonel Hunt presented his coin to the winning team to conclude the morning's events. 

"We had a great time. We learned a great deal about what you do and for that, we respect you," said Blues captain Dallas Drake. 

Their visit also included a tour of the base and its facilities, a wing mission briefing and a demonstration by the base honor guard. 

"We feel lucky and privileged to come here and see firsthand what you do and go through for us," Mr. Bacashihua said. "We really appreciate you and this was our way of showing it."