RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The 86th Airlift Wing is scheduled to host its third Commander’s Challenge from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sept. 9, at the Southside Fitness Center here, as a part of the 86th AW Resilience Day.
The purpose of the Resilience Day is to create an atmosphere where Airmen can utilize and sustain the four domains of the Comprehensive Airmen Fitness program, also known in U.S. Air Forces in Europe as the RUFit program. These domains include physical, social, spiritual and mental wellness.
“There is tremendous emphasis on resilience programs to bolster the ability of our Airmen and families to withstand the challenges of military life,” said Jan Devitt, 86th AW community support coordinator. “The Air Force understands we can only be successful when the Air Force community, as a whole, takes care of each other.”
The Resilience Day features the physical portion of the CAF program through multiple games and activities provided throughout the day. Activities during the challenge include a three-on-three basketball tournament, six-on-six volleyball game, soccer match, a pitch softball and kickball game, seven-on-seven flag football tournament, hula hoop contest, three-legged race, 400-meter tricycle team relay, a Humvee pull and push, and tug-of-war.
Additional activities include bowling at the Ramstein Bowling Center and a golf skills challenge at the Woodlawn Golf Course.
These activities also serve as a setting for camaraderie and socializing, another domain of the CAF program.
“The Resilience Day is about getting out of the office, having fun, meeting new friends and cheering on Team Ramstein,” said Devitt. “Many people are away from their genetic families, so we are their family here.”
For the spiritual side of the program, the 86th AW chaplains plan to host a barbecue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the event.
When physical, social and spiritual resilience are strong, it can lead to a healthy mental attitude, the final domain of the CAF program.
“Everyone should take advantage of these Resilience Days,” said Command Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 86th AW command chief. “The 86th AW supports all Airmen’s personal and professional growth. These days are set aside as an alternate duty location so that we can come together as a community and stay fit to fight.”
Anyone interested in creating a team for an event can register by emailing the event for which they want to register, their squadron or unit and a list of team members to 86.aw.cc.challenge@us.af.mil.
For more information about the Commander’s Challenge, call DSN 478-8630 or commercial 06371-405-8630.