Barksdale to host pit crew challenge for Independence Bowl players

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale will be hosting the Arizona Wildcats and Boston College Eagles football teams before they face-off in the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Dec. 31.

Leading up to the big game, more than 250 players and team personnel will receive a tour of the base Dec. 28, gaining knowledge of the B-52H Stratofortress along with an understanding of the "Mighty Deuce's" expeditionary mission.

The tour will provide insight into various career fields, as well as provide an opportunity for Airmen to meet and interact with the players, said Lt. Col. Nicholas Russo, 2nd Bomb Wing Director of Operations.

In addition to the tour, a pit crew challenge is also scheduled.

"It's the first time Barksdale has hosted this challenge so we're excited to see how it plays out," said Frank Auer, Barksdale Pit Crew Challenge chairman.

The teams will be broken up into three-person crews with seven crews from Arizona, seven crews from Boston and 30 crews from Barksdale.

This challenge is open to Barksdale Airmen from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on the day of the event. The fastest overall time of all the crews will win a trophy.

"We are encouraging our Airmen to come out and enjoy the events with the teams," said Russo.

A pep rally and Battle of the Bands will be held 2 p.m. Dec. 30 involving the bands and cheerleaders representing each school.

The event will be open for all Team Barksdale Airmen and their families to enjoy.

The tour and pit crew challenge will be held near Hoban Hall. The pep rally and Battle of the Bands is scheduled to be held at The Landings, but a modified pep rally will be at an alternate location in the event of inclement weather.