Warriors battle it out at Winter Bash

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack and Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Warriors of the North went to battle Feb. 23, 2012, in an annual Winter Bash, pitting unit teams against each other in events such as the Glacier Speed Climb, Inferno Combat Swim and the Frosty Sailor Boat Race.

When the final points were tallied, the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron came out on top, barely slipping past the second-place 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Hundreds of Airmen and civilians packed the base's 135,000-square-foot, state of the art fitness center starting at 7:30 a.m. for the event. Teams also fought for top scores in the bowling alley, and in a snow-covered field outside the fitness center. The falling snow made for one slippery tug-of-war competition, earning a lot of laughter as contestants struggled for footing.

Tech. Sgt. Breezy Pruitt, 319th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of the fitness center, called the event a "huge success." She also thanked co-worker Staff Sgt. Amanda Bennett for helping coordinate the base.

Although fitness and sports were a dominant part of Winter Bash, Pruitt said there other reasons why the event is so important.

"Events like Winter Bash are great opportunity to bring people together," Pruitt said. "Everywhere I looked I saw Airmen and teams being cheered on by their families, and significant others."

She said teams were comprised of civilians, military enlisted members and officers. Some even had commanders competing. She said that's a "great way to boost morale, build camaraderie and promote esprit de corps."

Senior Airman Betsy Mills, an equipment manager with the 319th LRS, said she enjoyed Winter Bash - especially competing in the Frosty Sailor boat race. People packed the base indoor pool to watch two-member teams attempt to cruise their hand-made cardboard creations - some more seaworthy than others - across the water.

"It was awesome," she said of the boat race. "This even was a lot of fun because it gives people the opportunity to work as a team." She said she planned and worked on the boat for two weeks. When her partner got sick at the last second, Airman 1st Class Jennifer Harvey stepped in like a true wingman.

"It all turned out OK because of her," Mills said of Harvey.

Both Harvey and Mills dressed up as pirates to paddle their ship, The Tub of Death, which failed to complete its maiden voyage. The shipwreck didn't keep the boat mates from enjoying the experience, and they weren't the only ones who failed to master the treacherous waters of the heated pool.

Earning this year's Titanic Award for the boat that sank quickest was the 319th Air Base Wing leadership team, comprised of Col. Scott Rizer, vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. David Carlson, command chief master sergeant.