RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Team Mildenhall Airmen have the opportunity to test their physical fitness skills with a new Alpha Warrior obstacle course, the ‘battle station,’ at the Northside Fitness Center.
The Alpha Warrior program is an initiative established by the Air Force Services Activity. The program is designed to enhance Airmen’s physical fitness.
Coaches from the program demonstrated to Team Mildenhall Airmen how to use the ‘battle rig’, the larger version of the obstacle course, safely and to its full potential. Airmen were then given the chance to compete for the best overall time.
The course’s ultimate goal is to enhance unit cohesion and improve physical fitness.
“Airman can incorporate this with their squadron/units for physical training. Individuals can add additional equipment to make it a full circuit, along with the rig for a great workout,” said Master Sgt. Shevon McFarland, 100th Force Support Fitness and Sports section chief.
The course consists of using mostly upper body strength, but can be used for different exercises as well.
“Anyone can go through it,” McFarland said. “Some people are very competitive where they like to showcase their strength and you may have and individual who is not physically fit, but they can still do modifications. It’s up to the person using the equipment and what they want to achieve.”
During their visit, the team used the ‘battle rig,’ for demonstration and competition purposes and also left behind a ‘battle station,’ for Airmen to use for future PT sessions.
“Personally, I enjoyed the rig a lot,” exclaimed Airman 1st Class Daniel Rosa, 100th Communications Squadron client systems technician. “I have a large climbing background, so this kind of thing is right up my alley. I don’t get over to RAF Lakenheath often, but plan on using the battle station at the Northside Gym regularly.”
This year Department of Defense members will be given the opportunity to compete against one another at the base level, for the top five female and top five male spot. The top 10 Airmen will then have the opportunity to go to San Antonio, Texas, to compete in the final battle.
“This year the Air Force Services Activity is incorporating all DOD,” McFarland said. “It’s not going to just focus on Air Force in San Antonio, but you’re going to have Army, Marines, Navy, competing against each other. Each branch is going to try to outdo one another. So I think it’s going to be some friendly competition.”
For more information or to reserve the equipment, call DSN 238-2041 or commercial at 06138 542041.