Barksdale Airmen hit the pits

Airmen and family members compete in the pit crew challenge at Hoban Hall on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 28, 2013. The event consisted of three-man teams who had to simulate what actual pit crew members would experience during a race. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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Barksdale Airmen hit the pits

Col. Leland Bohannon, left, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Storms, 2nd BW command chief, and Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd BW commander, prepare to begin the pit crew challenge at Hoban Hall on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 28, 2013. The three-man team simulated removing and replacing lug nuts on all four tires as fast as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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Barksdale Airmen hit the pits

Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, simulates removing a tire during a pit crew challenge at Hoban Hall on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 28, 2013. Gebara used a pneumatic drill to unscrew and tighten five lug nuts on two tires. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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Barksdale Airmen hit the pits

Master Sgt. Moises Martinez, 2nd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment NCO in-charge, looks at an engine inside of a Chevrolet Impala on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 28, 2013. Richard Childress Racing brought the impala to Barksdale as part of the promotion for the Advocare V100 Bowl. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

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Barksdale Airmen hit the pits

(Left to Right) Tech. Sgt. Terry Gatreaks, Tech. Sgt. Robert Hoffman and 2nd Lt. Dayna Grant from the 2nd Munitions Squadron and Mike Vaught, Advocare director of corporate sponsorships, pose with the Airmen pit crew challenge trophy at the Centurylink Center in Bossier City, La., Dec. 30, 2013. The 2nd MUNS team was presented the trophy for besting seven other Barksdale teams, the Arizona Wildcats football team and the Boston College football team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland)

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Barksdale Airmen hit the pits

Published Dec. 30, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Airmen and families participated in an NASCAR pit crew challenge here, Dec. 28.

The challenge, sponsored by Advocare, consisted of three-person teams racing against the clock for best pit stop time.

"Barksdale is such a big part of this overall community," said Brent Watkins, Advocare title sponsor liaison. "We brought the car here for the Barksdale Airmen and their families to have some fun and show how much we appreciate them."

The challenge allowed Airmen to experience what pit crews accomplish during a NASCAR race.

"Teams have to jack up the car, loosen and tighten five lug nuts on each front and rear wheels then switch sides," said Elizabeth Cope, Richard Childerss Racing representative. "Some of the professional teams are able to do this in about 13.5 seconds including fuel and adjustments."

While Airmen got a chance at NASCAR fame and glory, both the Arizona Wildcats and the Boston College football teams experienced the everyday life of a Barksdale Airmen.

"The Advocare bowl is a huge community event and we are happy to participate with both teams coming and seeing what Barksdale does," Col. Leland Bohannon, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander. "It was great competing with our Airmen against the football players in the pit crew challenge."

But out of the seven, three-person Barksdale teams only one was awarded a winner's trophy from Advocare.

"The experience was great; we had so much fun and got a chance to experience something new we normally wouldn't get to do," said the 2nd Munitions Squadron team.