Deployed? Find something to sweat about

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group public affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Categorizing events on the weekly base activities calendar reveals a simple truth about the Airmen deployed here: They love to stay active, even after a 12-hour shift.

“It’s the whole ‘Fit to Fight’ mindset along with the chance for people to enjoy themselves,” said Tech. Sgt. L.J. Kincade, the 407th Expeditionary Services Squadron fitness center director.

“We offer a variety of activities that let people burn their extra energy, join a team or just improve their self-image,” he said.

Sure, there are plenty of non-physical things to do on base. But it’s rare to find more people in the TV room than the aerobics room. One reason might be the physical and mental effects of a good workout.

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Anthony Ghim, the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flight surgeon, points out that exercise clears the mind and reduces stress, increasing both the physical and the mental stamina.

“Reduced stress likely prolongs your life,” he said.

Lt. Col. Jerry Perkins said, “There’s nowhere that it’s more critical to be in top shape than here in the theater of operations.”

Colonel Perkins is the 407th Air Expeditionary Group deputy commander and instructor of three weekly spin classes.

“There’s no greater chance of needing to respond or react to an emergency after continuously working long, hard hours than here. Staying fit gives you the endurance to do it,” he said.

Playing a game of basketball or volleyball, riding a stationary bike to get up a good sweat, or walking a few miles on a treadmill might be the last thing on somebody’s mind at the end of a long shift. But for some Airmen, routine exercise and physical activity is what makes the workday easier and the deployment go faster.

“A good workout rejuvenates me, takes away any stress and makes me feel so much better,” said Capt. Kim M. Arnold, a contracting officer.

Staff Sgt. Edward Weathersby, a metals technician craftsman, said exercise is “making my deployment go faster.” The sergeant works out two hours a day.

“(Working out) helps me get through these long days,” he said. “An increased tempo on different terrain requires different measures -- it requires better fitness.”

One of the keys to fitness while deployed is to stay within your limits, Dr. Ghim said.

“If you aren’t in shape to start with, you can’t become a bodybuilding champion in the short time that you’re here. The base clinic has treated several Airmen who approached the deployment with a resolution to get fit while here, and have injured themselves doing too much too fast,” he said.

Physical fitness isn’t limited to running miles and miles or pumping iron.

“Exercising at least three times a week will go a long way to improving how you feel,” Colonel Perkins said. “Just get out and get active.”

He said there are a lot of activities on base to “get your blood moving and your mind thinking better.”

“Shoot some hoops,” he said. “Take tae kwon do lessons. Whatever you do to get yourself active will make you feel better in the long run.”