Mildenhall logistics Airmen band together during 'Loggie Days' for fun, camaraderie

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  In an effort to build unit cohesion, the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron planned "Loggie Days" a weeklong event of sports, teamwork exercises and competitive games, culminating in a trophy presentation and squadron picnic June 13. 

Seventeen events ranging from kickball and a dizzy-bat race to a 6-mile relay and litter carry were designed to bring the more than 350-person squadron closer together, according to Master Sgt. Kevin Hawks, 100th LRS first sergeant. 

"Six years ago, four squadrons combined to form LRS," Sergeant Hawks said. "When I got here in December, the squadron was still fractured. I could ask someone, 'Where do you work?', and the reply was always supply or transportation, never LRS. Each element does what they do very well, but it wasn't a tight group. There was no hate, but there was no love either. 

"I wanted to bring folks together as a family. I thought every Airman involved could really benefit, and have a fun time too." 

Each event required a team of three people, and each participant could only participate in three events. With that framework, 80 Airmen had the chance to participate. 

"With such a big squadron, Loggie Days gave everyone a chance to get out and meet other people with a little friendly competition," said Tech. Sgt. Kathryn Perry, 100th LRS Hazmart Pharmacy NCOIC, and Loggie Days event coordinator. "It went very well. There was good participation. You get to see folks you normally wouldn't get the chance to." 

The 100th LRS Fuels Management Flight won the competition and bragging rights to a new traveling trophy. The flight was awarded a trophy during the squadron picnic, but the other flights have an opportunity to reclaim the honors during next year's event. 

"This is great," said Airman 1st Class Bronson Criddle, 100th LRS Hazmart Pharmacy technician. "It definitely builds camaraderie by introducing us to individuals in different shops. It's important since we are soon becoming the new material group. I'm only as good as my team, and we had a good showing. It's great motivation."