Barksdale cycling team rolls out recruiting

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BURLINGTON, Iowa. --  Ten members of the Barksdale Air Force Base Cycling Team and three of their support crew made their way across the state of Iowa from July 18 to 26 during the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. 

The RAGBRAI is a seven-day Iowan tradition that began more than 35 years ago when two staff members of the Des Moines Register rode their bicycles across their home state. Starting on Iowa's western edge the RAGBRAI's route changes with each year through plains and rolling hills. During that time the Air Force Cycling Team has participated in 15 RAGBRAIs. 

The AFCT's participation is due in part to the current operations tempo which strives to make Airmen fit to fight. The RAGBRAI ranges an average of 70-90 miles each day with some day's total feet of climb exceeding 5,000 feet. 

"Now that we are an expeditionary force supporting the Army, we have to be fit to fight because of the new task we are expected to perform," said Lt. Col. David Davies, 8th Air Force, 608 Air and Space Operations Center deputy combat plans division and BAFBCT captain. "In order to successfully do RAGBRAI you must train, if you don't it can be a painful experience. Typically people ride anywhere between 1000 and 3000 miles in the year leading up to RAGBRAI -- anyone who can ride 3000 in a few months by definition will be fit to fight."

While fit to fight is a driving factor in AFCT RAGBRAI participation, the primary mission of the AFCT's presence in Iowa is Air Force recruiting as part of the We Are All Recruiters program.

"Our mission here is really important," said Senior Master Sgt. Alex Wilkins, 917th Maintenance Operations Squadron flight chief and three-time RAGBRAI veteran. "A lot of people don't understand what we do in the Air Force, they see planes and many of them think that we're all pilots. People who aren't exposed to the military don't know there are hundreds of jobs that go into making those planes run."

Each day every cyclist fills their jersey with mini footballs and pencils adorned with the Air Force logo to hand out to Iowa children. Their mission is to talk to as many people as they can along the way and tell them about the Air Force and the opportunities it offers. Whether it's a fellow rider along the way or a friendly native Iowan who served them a cold drink, the Air Force is always the chosen topic of discussion.

"Our role is to humanize the Air Force to the general population so they can see we are people just like them and we are doing a service for our country," said Colonel Davies. "We are here to answer any questions they may have, especially in regards to their concerns about their children one day joining the military."

While the team is out pounding the pavement each day and telling the people of Iowa about the Air Force, their support crew work behind the scenes to make the journey across the state as seamless as possible. 

The job of the support crew is to drive the vehicles and trailers from one overnight town to the next. Once they arrive in the next location, the crew busily begins setting up tents, buying groceries, ensuring coolers are stocked with cold drinks, and finding the scoop on where the cheapest showers can be found. 

Colonel Davies says the BAFBCT would be unable to carry out their mission if it wasn't for their support crew.

"We could not do RAGBRAI without our support crew," he said. "When you roll into town after riding 70 to 100 miles it doesn't matter what kind of shape you are in, you will be exhausted. Having a support crew that is there to get our equipment ready is such a treasure -- they are worth their weight in gold."

Through wind, rain, cold and flat tires the BAFBCT rolls on through the countryside of Iowa spreading the word about the Air Force, many of the team will attest that the experience of RAGBRAI is worth any drawbacks. Whether it's the enthusiastic cyclists riding in costume, the hometown hospitality of the locals or simply RAGBRAI's famous pies, the BAFBCT veterans continue to return year after year.

"I love being out here at RAGBRAI because the ride is always different and challenging -- the hills are great because they really separate the men apart from the crowd," said Sergeant Wilkins. "Everyone who comes out year after year always brings a really great attitude and team spirit, which makes the experience that much better."

For more information about RAGBRAI visit www.ragbrai.org. To inquire about signing up for next year's RAGBRAI on the BAFBCT as support or a week-long rider contact Colonel Davies at david.davies@barksdale.af.mil.