Leadership, Ethos and Air Power training pools experience, skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha M. Lee
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Members of the 100th Air Refueling Wing united with their British Royal Air Force counterparts to build cross-service relationships and military skills during Leadership, Ethos and Air Power Day at RAF Marham Dec. 6.

Participants for Station LEAP Day were taken from all sections of RAFs Marham and Mildenhall. They were broken into 16 teams which performed various tasks, competing against each other for points. Activities of the day included paintball, target practice, a low-ropes challenge and a mind-over-matter exercise.

"The goal of Station LEAP is to offer a fun and engaging training day to all personnel to develop station cohesion. A competitive point based scoring system further engenders team spirit," said RAF Sgt Dai Smoldon, RAF Marham. "It helps to encourage team building, leadership, increased integration and personal development for RAF personnel."

Station LEAP Day is only one part of the overall LEAP process, and just one way the RAF force development policy is delivered, according to Sergeant Smoldon. The primary purpose of force development is to prepare all service personnel, regardless of rank, to meet the challenges of operations and warfare through life experiences.

LEAP was achieved in a safe training environment, allowing participants to show individual character, spirit and attitude while facing physical and mental challenges.

"Teams were diverse with members from both the U.S. Air Force and RAF, including both officer and enlisted ranks," said Tech. Sgt. Travis Romesha, 100th ARW Inspections and Readiness office. "All team-members brought strengths to the different events."

Also during LEAP Day, servicemembers learned about the differences and similarities of the two forces.

"It was a great opportunity to work with RAF [airmen] and see the different workings of the air force from another country," said Capt. Alex Waxman, 351st Air Refueling Squadron.

"The RAF airmen were outstanding, and working with them gave me a better understanding of their mission, lifestyle and unit structure," said Sergeant Romesha.

Capt. Lance Ratterman also had positive feedback on the experience.

"I liked almost everything about LEAP Day. Getting away from my computer and work with other Airmen from Mildenhall and our RAF counterparts at RAF Marham was an awesome opportunity," Capt. Ratterman, 100th ARW Inspections and Readiness office.

Sergeant Romesha agreed.

"I had a great time and I would definitely attend this event again," he said. "I believe it will greatly benefit our Airman as well as our relationships with our RAF hosts to continue to send Team Mildenhall folks to these events."