Airmen celebrate return with golf tourney

  • Published
  • By Dean Siemon
  • Northwest Guardian
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Ten days after their unit returned from Afghanistan, members of JBLM's 10th Airlift Squadron joined other units for a "Welcome Home" golf tournament June 13 at Eagles Pride Golf Course.

The more than 50 Airmen who returned were invited to play in the unit's annual golf tournament; last year's tournament took place just as the unit left for another deployment.

"They went out and performed exceptionally well out there, helping meet our nation's objectives, moving cargo into and out of the theater," said Lt. Col. Nathan Campbell, 10th AS's director of operations. "Now we're welcoming them home, getting them reconstituted and preparing them to continue to support operations."

Sixteen teams with four golfers each played a scramble format, where all golfers play the best shot of each foursome for 18 holes. The event also included straightest-drive and closest-to-the-pin contests, and a post-tournament luncheon held at the American Lake Conference Center on Lewis North.

What made the 10th AS' tournament unique was the wide range of skill levels seen playing on the course, which is why unit leadership chose golf as the outing for their returning Airmen.

"It allows more people to get involved," said Lt. Col. David Fazenbaker, 10th AS commander. "You'll have those who are out here to win and be super competitive, then you'll have those who have never played golf."

For participants like Capt. Aarron Henderson, it was the first time hitting the links in almost three years. Having a chance to play a round of golf has been difficult for Henderson -- having just returned from his fourth deployment.

In fact, Henderson worked a 12-hour day June 12. He was thankful for the chance to escape the office, despite the rain.

"It's very nice to know there are people at home who have something planned for when you get back," Henderson said.

Leaders from 10th AS also invited Airmen from units such as the 4th and 7th Airlift squadrons, and other maintenance groups from throughout McChord Field.

"It shows the teamwork and effort that we have over there within the 62nd Airlift Wing as a whole, and the great relationships we have with everybody," Henderson said.

The 62nd Maintenance Group took first place with its team consisting of Col. Craig Gaddis, Maj. Jeffrey Darden, Tech. Sgt. Joshua Taylor and Tech. Sgt. Erik Bush.