Marine Aircraft Group 31 builds camaraderie during field meet

Photo By Sgt. Gina C. Rindt | During the Marine Aircraft Group 31 field meet, Pfc. Thomas Smith, a powerline mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, carries Cpl. Josenique Rocha, a training non-commissioned officer with VMFA(AW)-533 in the fireman's carry event, April 17.  

UNITED STATES

04.24.2009

Story by Sgt. Gina C. Rindt 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marine Aircraft Group 31 conducted an all hands field meet on April 17, at the Air Station football field.

"Providing this event built the camaraderie among the Marines and sailors of MAG-31 through an atmosphere of friendly competition," said Col. Gregg Brinegar, the MAG-31 commanding officer. "I am looking forward to other events like this, in the near future."

At the beginning of the field meet, all of the participants ran individual formations from the MAG-31 headquarters building, to the Air Station football field.

Five different events were conducted during the field meet, including the fireman's carry, dizzy izzy, stretcher relay, relay race and tug-o-war.

The winner of each event received a trophy for their hard work and dedication to winning as a team, according to Brinegar.

"It was amazing to watch Marines and Sailors cheering, not just for their individual team, but for other teams as well," said Brinegar. "It shows we are here for each other as a whole, not just for our own unit or squadron."

The winners of each event were as follows: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, winner of the tug-o-war, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 winner of the dizzy izzy, MALS-31 Personnel Support Detachment winners of the fireman's carry and relay race, and the stretcher relay winner was Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533.

"The Marines and Sailors were able to rub elbows with each other and get more familiar with who they will be working with while on deployments," said Sgt. Scott Hitchings, the VMFA-122 Embark Chief. "The MAG was able to build unity during the event and it's important because we have a commitment to making our team better."

Everybody had their own favorite event and for most, it was the tug-o-war, which lasted the longest during the field meet and was a close competition between the MALS-31 Stingers and the VMFA-122 Werewolves, but in the end, the stronger team was the Werewolves. They left the match undefeated, according to Brinegar.

"Having the chance to show camaraderie is a huge part of events like these," said Sgt. Maj. Clarence Richardson, the MAG-31 sergeant major. "Showing the love for Corps and country and having the Marines pass on the lessons they learn such as teamwork, leadership and the strength to carry on."

• Date Taken: 04.24.2009
• Date Posted: 04.24.2009 11:14
• Story ID: 32822
• Location: US