Airmen, Cadets team up for Warrior Run

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 700 Airmen and family members, including 12 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, participated in the Team Dover's Warrior Run Tuesday.

The Warrior Run's success came directly after Col. Steven Harrison, 436th Airlift Wing commander, announced that Dover Air Force Base is lagging in fitness compared to the rest of Air Mobility Command, which he guaranteed will change.

"Fitness is a serious subject Air Force wide," said Colonel Harrison. "The new officer and enlisted evaluations will incorporate fitness as standard evaluation criteria. Any Airman not meeting fitness standards will generate an automatic referral performance report."

The Airmen under his command heeded the colonel's words and showed in full force, motivated and ready to burn up the asphalt.

"Dover leads AMC in nearly every facet of duty and Airmanship," said the colonel. "For the health of our Airmen and our ability to accomplish the mission, fitness will be no exception."

Some, like Airman 1st Class James Ambenge, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management analysis controller, tackled the Warrior Run with all their power and might. Airman Ambenge ran the 3.1 mile course in 16 minutes, 57 seconds, leading the Team Dover pack in the event.

12 cadets from the Air Force Academy also participated in the run.

The cadets, according to Academy senior J.P. Joyce, are here to shadow and learn from officers and senior non-commissioned officers stationed at Dover.

"We are here for the (Operation) Air Force program," said the cadet. "Additionally, we get this chance to come run with (Team Dover). It's a great experience."

Warrior Runs are not new to the Eagle Wing. Dover has a reputation for its wing runs.

"I've heard great things about the number of participants in Dover's Warrior Runs," said Col. Eric Wydra, 436th AW vice commander, who arrived in June from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Colonel Wydra was near the front of the run, barreling in Airman Ambenge's tail wind.

"I think the boss is mad at me for passing him," joked the colonel.

Moments prior to the Warrior Run's start, the boss, Colonel Harrison, also said jokingly that there is one rule and it is 'no passing O-6s or chief master sergeants.' However, he never speculated on colonels passing other colonels.

In all, 721 Team Dover members participated in this month's run. More will have the opportunity to try to beat Airman Ambenge's mark in the August Warrior Run.