Fitness organizations to benefit Airmen, community at large

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  There are several ways Barksdale Airmen can improve on both their fitness assessments and help the community at large.

Non-profit groups and organizations such as Team Red, White and Blue, and the Barksdale cycling group encourage Airmen to take charge of their fitness, help each other and their communities.

"Team RWB is a veteran's outreach organization that ties veterans to their communities," said Lt. Col. Bryan Patchen, 11th Bomb Squadron director of academics and chapter captain of Team RWB in Shreveport. "We're made up of veterans, active-duty and civilians and there are no requirements to join. The goal is to enrich lives."

Team RWB-Shreveport hosts running and social events around the local that give Airmen the chance to serve their community.

"We do a lot of social events like serve meals to the homeless, and provide support for the Special Olympics as well," Patchen said. "The [events] also give civilians in the community the chance to interact with veterans and active duty military."

The exercise component ultimately helps Airmen perform better on the physical training tests, Patchen added.

Even with all the events Team RWB leads, they aren't alone in their effort to increase Airmen's fitness and strengthen the local community.

"Our cycling group is an organization that is a starting point for all cycling activities on base," said Lt. Col. John Bleil, 340th Weapons Squadron commander. "We have groups that mountain bike on the weekends or ride during the week. There are trails for mountain bikes and we also have a bike shop set up on base on the East Reservation."

Airmen who participate in the cycling group also volunteer their time to maintain the base biking trails, which include a three-mile and seven-mile loop. However, the club isn't open to just Airmen. Anyone with base access is invited to join.

"Airmen benefit by discovering others who are into cycling, so there's someone to answer any questions they have," Bleil said. "Because bicycling is a low-impact exercise, it can also benefit Airmen who are on a running profile, but still want to stay active."

Sometimes Airmen don't know where or how to find a bicycle that's right for them or how much to spend, and people in the bicycling group can help answer those questions, he added.

The cycling group is also launching an effort with a local bike shop to run a clinic to teach local bike riders proper care and maintenance of their bicycles.

With access to organizations such as Team RWB and the cycling group, Airmen have options to increase fitness, help each other and enrich their lives by enriching the community.