Aerial porters take trophy at wing Fitness Challenge

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 46th Aerial Port Squadron took home the team trophy from the 512th Airlift Wing's first Fitness Challenge June 12 at the base track.

The event, sponsored by the 512th AW's Company Grade Officers Council, called for each unit to field a team of competitors of varying ages to participate in contests of sit-ups, push-ups, a relay race and a walk-a-thon.

"Winning this challenge is an awesome reward for our unit who has made a lot of improvement in the fitness arena," said Tech. Sgt. Jamie O'Brien, a 46th APS team member who did 34 push-ups in the Women Under 30 category. "While our 11-person team received the honors at the track, this trophy is a reward for all the individuals in the 46th APS who are making the effort towards better fitness."

The event wasn't just for fitness buffs, but for Airmen in all fitness categories. Several who were post maternity or post injury were at the challenge as well as many who were not even competing at all but wanted to cheer on their co-workers.

"It was a phenomenal display of esprit de corps and morale, and I'm very impressed with that," said Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th AW commander. "I'm even more impressed with how the units didn't stack the deck by having only their best athletes on a team, allowing for more participation from their unit."

"We brought out people who do really well on the fitness test as well as some people who struggle in fitness," said Capt. Marylou Cowles, 512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron. "The (512th) AMDS had the only all-female relay team; and, sure they finished last, but they came out to represent, and I was really proud of them."

The team that did bring the baton across the finish line first was the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron which finished the one-mile relay in 4:30.

In all, there were eight squadrons vying for the team trophy as well as an individual competitor, representing the Delaware Army National Guard. Sgt. First Class James White was the only non-Air Force participant; he learned of the event by reading "The Airlifter."

"I was a little intimidated at first," he said. "People thought I was Air Force but had on the wrong PT gear."

He added how amazed he was with the participation at the event, which drew a crowd in the hundreds.

"I was certainly impressed with the camaraderie," he said. "People weren't just cheering for their team, it was all-around support.

"I'll be back next year to recapture my push-up title."

Sergeant White, who actually does have some prior Air Force service time, performed 139 push-ups in two-minutes, claiming the trophy for the Men 40 and Over category.
Another strong push-up contender found out he would be participating just shortly before the event started.

Airman 1st Class Brandon Bermudez, 712th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, competed in the Men Under 30 category and netted 99 push-ups. He also ran the relay and scored 100 sit-ups for his team.

"I just wanted to help out the squadron and do my best," he said. "I'm pretty sure we have the best all-around team."

While most consider 99 push-ups in two-minutes an extraordinary feat, it took more for Tech. Sgt. Lee Herbert, 46th APS, to capture the winning title for his age group.

"Once I heard they were having a push-up contest I knew I had to enter; I'm kind of a 'gym rat,'" he said. "We heard about this event last month, and I've been looking forward to it."
Sergeant Herbert performed 114 push-ups, topping the Men 30 to 39 category and helping push the aerial porters to victory.

"From the moment I got here, I could tell the (512th) CGOC had a hit on their hands," said Colonel Bright. "Hopefully, it's the first of many to come."

512th AW Fitness Challenge Winners List

Overall Team
46th APS
Maj. Ashleigh Gellner
Chief Master Sgt. David Buches
Master Sgt. John Garratt
Master Sgt. Destiny Donigan
Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Bodine
Tech. Sgt. Lee Hebert
Tech. Sgt. Kristen Hite
Tech. Sgt. Gregory Jenkins
Staff Sgt. Coban Goertz
Senior Airman Kurtis Ernst
Senior Airman Samuel Hamilton

Men Push-ups
Men Under 30: 144, Senior Airman Marcus Wesley, 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron
Men 30 to 39: 114, Tech. Sgt. Lee Herbert, 46th APS
Men 40 and Over: 139, SFC James White, Delaware Army National Guard

Women Push-ups
Women Under 30: 53, Senior Airman Carissa Fiore, 512th AMXS
Women 30 to 39: 67, Maj. Ashleigh Gellner, 46th APS
Women 40 and Over: 79, Tech. Sgt. Enid J. Ellis, 512th MAS

Men Sit-ups
Men Under 30: 100, A1C Brandon Bermudez, 712th AMXS
Men 30 to 39: 107, Senior Master Sgt. Scott Manz, 512th AMDS
Men 40 and Over: 90, Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Moore, 512th AMXS

Women Sit-ups
Women Under 30: 121, Senior Airman Dominque Johnson, 512th AMXS
Women 30 to 39: 74, Maj. Ashleigh Gellner, 46th APS
Women 40 and Over: 87, Tech. Sgt. Athena Mercer, 712th AMXS

1-Mile Relay Race
512th AMXS 4:30
Staff Sgt. Jason Jones
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Latimer
Master Sgt. Brian Allen
Staff Sgt. Edward Laurie

ΒΌ Mile Fastest Walkers
Men: 1:57, Chief Master Sgt. David Schmid
Women: 2:08, Senior Master Sgt. Sheila Sharp