100th OSS Airman takes 100th ARW vision to Iowa

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Sweat drips from his forehead as he grits his teeth under the hot sun beating down. “Just thirty more miles,” he says. He turns a corner and stares down his biggest enemies of the day – 13 hills spread over 4.5 miles. The steepest one at 11 percent grade. “You got this,” he tells himself. He pedals harder as the bicycle chain creaks under the pressure. In the near distance he sees one bike go down. Then two, then three. As he skids his bike to stop, he says to the concerned fellow bikers, “don’t worry, the Air Force is here.”

For Tech. Sgt. Joshua Johnson, 100th Operations Support Squadron NCO in charge of Airfield Management training, this is just another day of challenge during the 455 mile, seven day, bike ride across Iowa. RAGBRAI.

“This ride is the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa,” Johnson said. “RAGBRAI was formed in 1973 when a feature writer for the Des Moines Register newspaper challenged his friend to ride across Iowa and write about the experience. The Air Force Cycling Team has been doing this ride for 22 years and I thought, how do I get on that team?”

This team event is not something to be taken lightly. The Air Force core value, ‘service before self’ is proven on this journey when Airmen who are already pushed to their physical limits during the long rides, stop riding to help other cyclists in need.

“There are 8,500 riders who ride all week and each day more people can register for a day or two,” Johnson said. “Our Air Force team rides the whole week though. This year’s route was 455 miles and we rode for seven days starting at 7 a.m. each day. Airmen are out there helping other cyclists who have a blown tire, heat exhaustion, a damaged chain or crashed cyclists, to mention a few examples of our efforts. We carry extra supplies with us, so we can help as many people as possible.”

Johnson’s job at RAF Mildenhall prepared him for this ride of a lifetime.

“Half of my job is actively managing the airfield with a safety mindset, such as inspecting the runway, the taxiways, the parking aprons making sure pavement aircraft operate on is in the best condition possible,” said Johnson. “We keep the five million square yard airfield safe by discovering, documenting, reporting and tracking airfield discrepancies. Also, every light is inspected by our team as well as Airfield Lighting. We work day and night to keep the airfield safe.”

Johnson was able to use his ability to step up to any challenge to help others while cycling.

“While in the ride, if there is a crash we will stop and direct the rest of the cyclists,” Johnson said. “There are thousands of riders, so if someone crashes it’s a real safety hazard. While taking part in the race, we act as first responders until emergency services arrive at the scene.”

During the annual cycling event back in his home state, he saw a very different landscape than that of England. He also saw, and spoke to, those very people he joined up for.

“I really felt proud to be in the Air Force as thousands of civilians and retirees came up to us during the week, congratulating the Air Force and thanking us for our service,” Johnson reflected. “As we ride and camp in the small towns in Iowa they welcome us with open arms. Churches opened their doors, shared their family-favorite cakes and pies, families of military members opened up their yards for us to camp.”

The cycling team, like the Air Force, requires dedication. The days can be long and the training hard, but the dedication is rewarded.

“You are part of something bigger than yourself,” Johnson said. “You have a brotherhood of people going through the same things, the same struggles of being away from family. In the cycling team, I met people from across the world who all have a love for cycling and helping people.”

Johnson sees the importance of staying balanced, and uses cycling as a way to stay ready to serve. He is more effective as a wingman and leader, when staying balanced before helping someone else find their balance in life.

“I love cycling! I love sports, fitness and the friendship through sports mantra,” he exclaimed. “This year I combined my love for cycling with the Air Force’s mission with this opportunity in Iowa. Being overseas you aren’t reminded of the sincerity of the support from your own country as much, but when I go back home and ride in these towns, they welcome us as heroes, it’s really moving.”

From those leading the field during this annual event in Iowa, to the newest member, teamwork makes the event possible.

“This was a great year with great people,” said Larry Gallo, Air Force Cycling Team executive director after the race. “What you did on the roads and in the towns of Iowa will be a set of great memories you can tell your kids and grandkids. It makes me very proud to have been there with you all. Iowa natives who offered up their homes, churches and yards, did so, because they love the fact that you make sacrifices for them abroad and locally as you spent a week in their state and neighborhoods. Once arriving in Iowa, we were able to open the lid to this box and let all the things planned out, fall into place.”