Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors traded their military vehicles and weapons for homemade boats and paddles to take part in the first-ever Camp Bucca Raft Race.

The Air Force-sponsored race, held Nov. 13 on a small pond here, matched the talents and ingenuity of 17 teams vying for the top prize and camp bragging rights.

Master Sgt. John Oblinger, of the 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, said the objective was for a two-person team to build a raft -- from any material they could get their hands on -- navigate it around a small island and return to the finish line.

“Camp leaders wanted a different way to build morale -- and give people a different outlet to release energy instead of going to the gym,” Sergeant Oblinger said.

Of the 17 teams, only two all-Air Force teams competed in an Army dominated event. Unfortunately, the outcome wasn’t in the cards for the teams in blue.

Finishing first -- way ahead of the competition -- was “Team Wilson,” made up of Army Staff Sergeant Fawn Armstrong and Mark Khoury. She works at the Theater Internment Facility supply squadron; he is a camp interpreter. They won more than $100 worth of Army and Air Force Exchange Service merchandise.

The best Air Force finish was by Airman 1st Class Micah Spicer and Senior Airman Cameron Riely, security forces troops. They finished sixth overall.

The second team -- Staff Sgt. Ashanti Charles and Airman 1st Class Christie Swehle, also security forces troops -- didn’t fare too well. The team didn’t make it more than 10 yards before their troubles began.

“Our technique didn’t work as well as we had hoped,” Sergeant Charles said. “We just kept going around in circles.”

Part of the problem could have come from pre-race nerves. Airman Swehle was quite amazed at her competition’s rafts before the race.

“I was scared [seeing the rafts],” she said. “We tried our best, but just couldn’t get [our rowing] coordinated.”

After struggling for what must have seemed like a lifetime, they decided to hang it up, jump off the raft and kick their way back to shore. For their efforts, the team was awarded a prize for not finishing the race and coming in last.

Both Langley Air Force Base troops said they would do it again in a heart beat.

“It was a blast,” Sergeant Charles said. “It was great fun and a great boost in morale.”

Sergeant Oblinger said this type of event builds camaraderie between the services.

“These events give (Camp Bucca troops) a chance to meet their fellow comrades outside the normal work environment,” he said. “We hope the race becomes a tradition at Camp Bucca.”