Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Smith | Spouses of paratroopers with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The Spartan Brigade managed to squeeze in a little fun before Summer’s end as paratroopers and families took part in Sparta Week Sept. 3–6, 2013 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
The Spartan Brigade’s inaugural Sparta Week was a celebration of the Paratrooper, Family commitment and the accomplishments of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. The week allowed for some time away from the day-to-day grind to enjoy some friendly competition, fellowship, and family time.
The uniform for Sparta Week was comfortable, Improved Physical Fitness Uniforms coupled with unit T-shirts. Paratroopers represented their battalions as they went head-to-head in 13 scheduled competitions including a bicycle race, ultimate football, volleyball, a squad assault course, best jumpmaster, a foot race, softball, soccer, basketball, spot jump, Army combatives, tire flip, and a commander’s relay race.
Spouse appreciation day challenged spouses in paratrooper tasks including a squad assault course, M4 Carbine familiarization, Humvee rollover and egress training, and leaping out of a 34-foot tower at the Airborne Sustainment Training Area.
Families enjoyed time together Thursday at the barbecue during Family Fun Day. Bouncy houses for the kids, a dunk tank, cushioned pugil sticks and Sumo wrestling rings were some activities available. The food was prepared by the brigade’s culinary team from the 725th Brigade Support Battalion. Treats like caramel apples, popcorn, and candy added to the fun.
Friendly competition, fun, and family were the week’s themes, but the brigade set aside special time on Friday to remember their fallen during a memorial at Spartan headquarters. Other highlights for the week included a volunteer of the quarter award ceremony on Thursday, and a formal occasion on Friday night at the inaugural Spartan Ball.
The commanding officer of the 4-25th, Col. Matthew McFarlane, said it is important for paratroopers, families, and community members to take time to build bonds and establish relationships with each other aside from the busy training schedule.
“Since this brigade’s inception in 2005, it has been awfully busy, and has done some amazing things, not only on the battlefield, but also here in Alaska,” said McFarlane. “You need to take some time to stop from mission-focused training, our field skills, and our airborne training to really ensure we are conscious of how every member of the team is very important.”
Spartan paratroopers across the brigade were highly motivated, and thrived in the competitive atmosphere of Sparta Week according to Command Sgt. Maj. Frank E. Hacker, the 4-25’s command sergeant major.
“Teamwork and competition brings the best out of us,” said Hacker.
“They’re having fun [paratroopers],” said Hacker. “It’s nice to see them relaxed.”
Hundreds of family members joined in on Spara Week events, including Jenna Bonaccorso, from Titusville, Fla. who jumped out of the 34-foot tower at the Airborne Sustainment Training Area.
“It’s like a zipline with a drop!” said Bonaccorso.
Sgt. Vasilios Zimarakos, a Paratrooper with Blackfoot Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment said, “Today was a good time. I got to hang out with my wife a little bit instead of being around work all day. It was good to go do some stuff with her,”
With five event victories, the overall winner for Sparta Week was 1 Geronimo (1-501st). The Centurions, (725th BSB), and the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment followed close behind.
Spartan paratroopers capped off the week with a fiive-mile esprit de corps run through JBER complete with a trophy presentation ceremony at the end on Pershing Field.
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2013 21:12 |
| Story ID: | 113360 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US |
| Hometown: | TITUSVILLE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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