V-ball with chiefs builds bonds

Staff Sgt. Johnathan Martin, 56th Medical Operations Squadron, serves the ball in a game against Luke Air Force Base chiefs in the Bryant Fitness Center. The game helped to build a community relationship amongst members from the three enlisted force structure tiers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Clas Pedro Mota)

V-ball with chiefs builds bonds

Published June 7, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Playing a sports game with or against the Air Force's highest enlisted NCOs is always an honor, but the real reason behind these games is to build a strong camaraderie and esprit de corps.

Chief Master Sgt. David Staton, 56th Fighter Wing command chief, together with the Luke Air Force Base Bryant Fitness Center staff hosted a chiefs' challenge May 30. This was the beginning of a recurring event where the selected sport and teams of enlisted tiers vary.

Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Aldridge, 56th Medical Group, teamed with Chief Master Sgt. John Craft, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron, to help Airmen see the Air Force as a community and not just another job.

"It was a great opportunity to promote our base organization and to give Luke Airmen an idea of what they could take part in," Aldridge said.

The chief's goal was to plan a sporting event and invite a combination of junior Airmen, NCOs and senior NCOs to participate. This month a team of junior Airmen and NCOs teamed to take on the chiefs in a few sets of volleyball. Although the team of Airmen and NCOs won 25 to 23 in the first round, and 25 to 13 in the final match, winning the game was not that important.

"Chiefs sometimes get so caught up in their duties that showing Airmen they are people too and not just resources may be difficult at times," Craft said. "Never confuse what you are with who you are -- an Airman."