Militaries compete during international Sports Day

Photo By Master Sgt. Daryl Knee | Children from the local community watch a basketball game during the Shared Resilience 2012 Sports Day here June 2. The Bosnian-Herzegovinian military opened the base to the local community to let the populace share in the sportsmanship and camaraderie event. The sports day included three-on-three half-court basketball, soccer and volleyball. More than 200 SR12 attendees participated in the event. More than 500 military members from nine nations are participating in the annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sponsored exercise May 28 - June 8. The goals of the exercise are to strengthen interoperability, facilitate training in crisis response and disaster management, and validate the readiness of deployable military medical and humanitarian assistance teams. The exercise, in the spirit of partnership for peace, directly supports U.S. European Command's theater cooperation efforts and strategy for active security with European countries.  

CAPLJINA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

06.02.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee 

52nd Fighter Wing

CAPLJINA, Bosnia and Herzegovina - More than 200 multinational attendees from Shared Resilience 2012 participated in a sports day here June 2.

The events included three-on-three half-court basketball, soccer and volleyball.

"We're getting together with some of the locals and showing some sportsmanship," said sports day director Tech. Sgt. Demetrius Long, 48th Force Support Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England. "We've been working together for the exercise, but here on the court, we are building a different kind of partnership."

There were six basketball teams, nine volleyball teams and 10 soccer teams. Participants were able to create the teams beforehand to practice so they could show their best during the tournaments.

The competitive aspect is still important, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Dan Zablotsky, U.S. Air Forces in Europe surgeon general and SR12 Operations Center deputy. However, if a team wins or loses, it doesn't matter. The nations are still friends and may have gained a new respect for each other.

"And that's what it's all about," he continued. "Respect for each others' cultures and capabilities. We learn that out on the court and in the partnership-building exercise that's going on right now."

SR12 continues until June 8, and the participating nations will strive to build and strengthen international relationships based on trust and common goals.

• Date Taken: 06.02.2012
• Date Posted: 06.02.2012 10:03
• Story ID: 89331
• Location: CAPLJINA, BA