Photo By James Smith | Two Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 race toward the shore in the...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, the “Condors,” gathered together to physically push themselves to the limit to determine which team was the strongest during their field meet aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Sept. 12, 2014.
The meet involved five teams of Marines that participated in an entire day of competition to include numerous events that tested every muscle in their bodies. The events ranged from a power lifting competition, to single man kayak races, and even a tug-of-war competition.
“Field meets are a way to build a warrior mentality, build on our ethos, and bring forth the spirit of competition,” said Sgt. Maj. David Leikwold, the sergeant major of the squadron. “The Marines knew this was coming, so they put themselves up against the challenge.”
Marines started the meet with an ironman competition. The race began with one Marine from each team having to swim ten laps in the pool. From there, another Marine would bike a route starting at the marina, leading to the back gate and back to the starting point. Once the biker made it back, a third Marine took off on a three-mile run before crossing the finish line.
After Marines completed the first event, Lt. Col. Dennis W. Sampson, the HMH-464 commanding officer, took the time to address the Marines and reflect on the past.
“I just want to remind everyone that yesterday was the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack,” said Sampson. “I know that a lot of [Marines] joined the Marine Corps because of 9/11, so take the time to reflect on that this weekend.”
Sampson then went on to wish Marines luck as they competed for the gold.
“These field meets help bring everyone closer together, gets everyone away from the mundane activities we do every day and puts people in a different light,” said Lance Cpl. Paul Jefferis, a flight line mechanic with the squadron and powerlifting competition participant. “My hobby is to work out, so it’s good to be able to show it outside of the gym.”
Each event was timed, and no one was allowed to run in the same event twice. Upon completion of the obstacle course, Marines progressed back toward the water for a two-man canoe race and a single man paddle board race.
Marines moved from the water back to land for the two final events: A tug-of-war and a dizzy izzy competition.
Marines pulled, spun and ran as fast as they could to gain the last points for the final score.
“The fact is that Marines, no matter who they are, will always step up to the challenge,” said Leikwold. “No matter what challenge, battle or competition, Marines will always shine in the end.”
Once the final scores were added up, the results revealed that the airframes division took first place, winning the field meet for the second year in a row.
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2014 16:01 |
| Story ID: | 142448 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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