Team Mildenhall members encouraged to sign-up for Marauder Melee

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  In an effort to bring back some of RAF Mildenhall's fun heritage, the 100th Force Support Squadron is hosting Marauder Melee June 21 here, bringing fun and games for all the family.

The day will contain three events in one, said Matthew Driver, 100th FSS Force Development Flight chief.

It will begin with Wingman Day activities at 7:30 a.m. for all squadrons, followed by a 100th Air Refueling Wing commander's all-call in Hangar 814 at 9:15 a.m. The sports day then kicks off with a unit formation fun run on the taxiway behind Hangar 814, followed by a free "burger burn" at the Hardstand Sports Fields, across from the Hardstand Fitness Center.

"Sports events will be taking place all across base," said Driver. "They range from dodgeball, tennis and volleyball, to rock climbing, a fitness challenge and an obstacle course."

There are a wide variety of events for Team Mildenhall members to participate in, as well as entertainment for children and family members, including a 'kids' olympics', music, games, bouncy castles and food booths. Other events for children include a gladiator joust, inflatable obstacle course, rodeo bull and wiggle kart track.

Additionally, there will be a mascot race between Sparky the Fire Dog, Max the Monkey and others.

"Throughout the 1970s to 1990s, the RAF Mildenhall base mascot was the Marauder pirate," Driver said. "We named this event the 'Marauder Melee' (a melee being a skirmish, relating to the friendly competition of sports day) and redesigned a new Marauder mascot for the 21st century."

The sports day events are open to all Team Mildenhall personnel and their dependants aged 18 and older. Participants in these events will earn points for their unit or squadron, and the one with the highest points at the end of the day will be presented the Marauder Cup trophy, in a ceremony at 4 p.m.

The Marauder Melee family day portion of the event runs from 2 to 5 p.m. and is open to children of all ages. Entertainment and events for this portion will be held both at Heritage Park and the adjacent parking lot.

There will be giveaways throughout the day and demonstrations from the fire department and security forces, as well as much more.

Events are scheduled as follows:

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Unit run - Meet behind Hangar 814 by 10:25 a.m.
Noon to 1 p.m. Tug of War - Team event at the Hardstand sports fields
Noon to 2 p.m. Dodgeball - Team event at the North Side Fitness Center
Noon to 2 p.m. Rock-wall-climbing challenge - Individual event outside bowling alley
Noon to 2:30 p.m. Ping pong tournament - Individual event at the Bob Hope Community Center
Noon to 3 p.m. Volleyball - Team event at the Hardstand Fitness Center
Noon to 3:30 p.m. Tennis tournament - Individual event at tennis courts near Middleton Hall
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bowling - Team event at the bowling alley
1 to 2 p.m. Relay race - Team event at the Heritage Park track
2 to 3 p.m. Mad Marauder fitness challenge - Team event at the Heritage Park track
2 to 3 p.m. Welly toss - Individual event at the Heritage Park track
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Marauder Melee obstacle course - Team event at the Heritage Park track

"This will be a great event and is an opportunity for Team Mildenhall to come together as a community to relax, blow off a little steam and just have a great time," Driver said.

Team Mildenhall members can sign up for any of the events at both the North Side and Hardstand fitness centers. The deadline for sign-up is June 15.

For more information, call DSN 238-5806, or to sign up, call DSNs 238-2349 or 238-3735.

(Information provided by 100th FSS)