MWSS-171 fosters camaraderie during field meet

Photo By Cpl. Joseph Karwick | Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Marines climb the ropes of the obstacle course during the MWSS-171 quarterly field meet here at the IronWorks Gym Oct. 5, 2012. The obstacle course was the final event of the meet, pitting all four companies of the squadron against one another in a relay race.  

IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

10.05.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Joseph Karwick 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

IWAKUNI, Japan - Marines and sailors with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 gathered at the Ironworks Gym here, Oct. 5, 2012, to start the weekend off with a day of events during the squadron's quarterly field meet.

For MWSS-171, field meets are a way to bring all four companies of the squadron, headquarters, motor transport, airfield operations and engineers, together for a day of healthy competition.

“About once a quarter, 171 has a field meet, and we let all the companies compete against each other,” said Lt. Col Howard Eyth, MWSS-171 commanding officer. “We start with a basketball tournament. We have relays in the pool and several other relays outside and we like to end it with the obstacle course relay.”

A large squadron, such as MWSS-171, can make it difficult for Marines to get to know others from the different companies.

“One of the key benefits is we get to see all of our companies in one place,” said Eyth. “Typically our companies are tasked out to support several various exercises and operations.”

Eyth adds, it is important to get the Marines together to build strong ties and professional relationships with their command as well as the Marines around them.

The day ended with Airfield Operations Company taking the win, showing numbers do not necessarily determine the victor.

“It feels good to come out with a small unit,” said Maj. Matthew E. Halbert, MWSS-171 Airfield Operations Company commanding officer. “With the bulk of our company (on the Fleet Assistant Program) to the station or deployed in support of various exercises and operations, I definitely feel we brought a high level of competition with us. Having only about 25 competitors today, with many participating in several events, whereas the other companies having more participants to take part in the events, to compete at that level and defeat the other companies, it speaks to their drive, their motivation and fitness. To come out, compete at that level, and beat all the other larger companies says a lot. However, it was not unexpected to us. We came out expecting to win.”

The level of competition could be seen throughout the day as companies wore their designated colors with pride.

“Marines are born to compete,” said Eyth. “They are the truest born competitors by far, always striving to be the best at whatever it is they undertake. The thing that really motivates me is to see the level of competition the Marines bring to the field. I think it's in our blood as Marines to want to get out there and compete, and this is the perfect venue to allow the Marines to not only demonstrate their physical fitness and proficiency but also stay engaged in the squadron.”

• Date Taken: 10.05.2012
• Date Posted: 10.14.2012 02:41
• Story ID: 96141
• Location: IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP