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With a little help from friends

Margie Gallegos gets a boost from teammates Jeff Castleberry and Debra Wilson-Strong as she does a pull up during an Easter Egg fun run held at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., April 17, 2014. Teams of runners ran along the 5K course stopping to perform a variety of unity-building exercises in the name of fun and fitness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays)

Flag bearer

Erin Strickland, 434th Air Refueling Wing accounting liaison officer, runs with the American Flag during an Easter Egg run held April 17, 2014 at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. The run was held along a 5K course and designed to develop unity through exercise and fun. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays)

Easter Egg fun run promotes unity

Published April 17, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Nearly 30 people hit the 'bunny trail' April 17 for Grissom's second annual Easter egg run.

Participants paired up in teams and began the run by pulling an egg out of bucket. Inside the eggs were tasks that had to be performed until the next station.

"We had to run through the base exchange giving 'high-fives' to people said Debra Wilson-Strong, 434th Force Support Squadron education and training office noncommissioned officer in charge.

"There were a lot of people in there," added teammate William Gonzalez, 434th Maintenance Squadron ordnance equipment mechanic.

After the quick detour it was back on the track where others were seen doing burpees and lunges, or circling back to the next station to start again.

Upon arriving to one station, participants were greeted by Scott Fleek, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight superintendent, with some friendly trash talk. He had drawn the 'taunting egg' and been directed to taunt the next team that arrived.

"It was all about unity," said Zac Holmes, 434th FSS fitness instructor and the run's coordinator. "It is part of our team unity series and not with just people you know as you could have been teamed up with folks you may not know that well."

The feedback we have received from these events is positive, Holmes added.

"Oh my gosh, we had so much fun," said Erin Strickland, 434th Air Refueling Wing accounting liaison officer.

Her team drew an egg that required them to drink a root beer past the midpoint section.

"It was delicious," said Strickland. "I don't usually drink pop, but it was quite a treat - not to mention the burst of energy from sugar."

The next such fitness event is scheduled is a Memorial Day guidon fun-run on May 22 at 11 a.m. People can sign up for the event by contacting the fitness center at 688-2000.

Grissom is the KC-135 unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer