Being a True Wingman: Warriors of the North set to host relay in support of Wounded Airman Program Published June 18, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez 319th Air Base Wing GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Warriors of the North are preparing to host the 2015 Grand Forks AFB 12-Hour Relay on July 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the outdoor track here. "Our goal with this event is to raise money for the Wounded Airman Program and the local Air Force Sergeants Association chapter while providing service members and their families with the opportunity to come together and take part in a fun fitness challenge," said Staff Sgt. Alexandra Crawley, the relay's coordinator. This is the second year the relay has been held. "Last year we raised just about $3,700 for the Wounded Warrior Project and as always we are doing our part to make this year's relay a bigger and better success," said Crawley, who also serves as the vice president of Chapter 964 for the Air Force Sergeants Association. "This year's relay will benefit the Wounded Airman Program, which like the Wounded Warrior Project deals with helping our fellow brothers- and sisters-in-arms, only this time we're specifically trying to help those who have served in the Air Force." Crawley added that the relay's intention to support the Wounded Airman Program falls perfectly in line with AFSA's mission, which is to advocate for improved quality of life and economic fairness that will support the well-being of the Total Air Force (Air Force active-duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command) enlisted personnel and their families, and it's the main reason why Chapter 964 agreed to once again be the main sponsor for the event." The Wounded Airman Program was brought forward in 2011 when former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Phil Breedlove, visited an Airman at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The general noticed the Airman was not getting the same level of support from the Air Force as the other service members were receiving from their respective branches. Since then the Wounded Airman Program has continued to work with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program by supporting their Adaptive Sports Camps, Warrior Training Camps and the annual Warrior Games, while at the same time providing direct support to wounded Airmen with things such as accessibility items, adapted equipment, financial aid and caregiver support. The relay is open to the entire base community and just as its official name implies, and will consist of team and individual competitions. 12-hour Relay Teams The team competition will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. the same day. Teams must be a minimum of seven people and may not exceed 10; however, each team must have at least one female competitor. A group must have a member of their team on the track at all times during the 12 hours. Teams will receive pledges based on how many total miles are completed. "For example, if someone pledges $1 per mile and the team completes 10 miles, the person who made the pledge will owe the team $10," said Crawley. Each team must provide a means for exchanges such as a baton, a unit guidon or simple hand tag. Each team must also provide racing bibs for their members while competing. "The racing bib can be anything from a color scheme, hats, stickers or hand painted numbers on skin. As long as a volunteer counter can depict your team from everyone else when completing each mile," said Crawley. "Individual runners will be provided with racing bib numbers upon check-in the day of the race." Individual Runners Individual competitors will run the 12-hour portion that begins at 7 a.m., but will be allowed to leave the track whenever they choose. The individual's pledges will be based on laps completed during the 12 hours. "For example if a friend pledges $1 per lap and the individual runs 100 laps, the friend will owe $100," said Crawley. Although the event is being called a relay both teams and individual competing in the event are not restricted to completing their laps and miles by just running. "You can skip, crawl or shimmy around the track," said Crawley. "There are very little rules on how to complete laps." Costume Contest In addition to the team and individual portions, the relay will also feature a costume contest "The costume contest is open to all guests age 16 years and older that are participating in the relay, but those competing in the costume contest do not have to be a runner," said Crawley. Contestants will enter and be judged as individuals or as a group. To enter, those wishing to compete in the contest must register on the day of the relay by checking in at the registration table anytime during the relay. The registration table will be located by at the base outdoor track. Entries will be judged by a panel of event volunteers (non-participating in relay) to determine one winner in the individual category and group category. Individual winners will be selected by the following criteria: originality and quality of construction. In the sole opinion of event volunteers, if costume is deemed inappropriate for viewing by event attendees, the entry will not be included as a contestant. The winners of each category will be announced immediately following the event and winners do not need to be present in order to collect prizes. With the relay just a little more than month away, Crawley is encouraging others not to wait. "Start gathering people and pledges now because July 24 will be here before we know it, so if anyone is ready to register please let me know and I will get you or your team signed up," said the enthusiastic NCO. AFSA is also looking for volunteers to be counters, judges and facilitators to help with other portions of the event. "So as you can see there are plenty of opportunities to take part in this event aside from the competitions," said Crawley. "Creating these other opportunities was very important to us because a greater effort by us now has the potential to generate more funds, which will allow our local AFSA chapter to continue sponsoring wonderful events such as this relay that help enrich the quality of life in our military communities, but more importantly a greater effort and larger participation will allow us to provide more support for the Wounded Airman Program. And in my opinion helping our fellow Airmen in need is what being a true Wingman is all about." For more information about participating in the 2015 Grand Forks AFB 12-Hour Relay, contact Staff Sgt. Alexandra Crawley at 701-747-6162.