Airman named "Best Legs in a Kilt"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda
  • 379th AEW Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Senior Master Sgt. Todd Flickinger, 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, recently defended his stateside title of “Best Legs in a Kilt” right here in the desert.

For the past two years, an annual contest held in Bethlehem, Pa., as part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, resulted in Sergeant Flickinger being named the winner. When it came time for this year’s competition March 18, the reservist and reigning champion from Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa., was deployed to Southwest Asia.

But, that didn’t stop the Scotsman from entering the event.

Sergeant Flickinger, who beat out 30 contestants last year, came to the desert prepared. Along with his body armor and Kevlar helmet, he deployed with his utility kilt.

After Sergeant Flickinger secured the help of a photographer and videographer, he began his leg-prepping regime.

“It takes a couple of weeks for toning and tanning,” said the flight engineer.

“Normally in the states, you wear your kilt and parade around in front of hundreds of people,” said the two-time champion. “So, I did just that, as best as I could on video and sent it to them along with a couple of pictures.”

Impressed with his overseas efforts, “Todd was awarded an honorary winner prize,” said Neville Gardner, event organizer. “So technically, he’s the co-champion for this year.”

That extends Sergeant Flickinger’s title of “Best Legs in a Kilt” for one more year.
As for how Sergeant Flickinger learned his legs had that “extra something,” he simply said, “My wife told me.”

In light of his recent victory, the interest in kilts and kilt competitions has seemingly increased on base here. When asked if there were any future plans to incorporate a kilt contest here for next year, Brig. Gen. Ted Kresge, 379th AEW commander responded with, “Let me think about that … no!”