CES makes fitness a priority by having fun

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ. --  Just as the sun was coming up Sunday morning, over 100 Airmen from the 944th Civil Engineer Squadron were preparing to hike the Mesquite Trail in the White Tank Mountains during the May Unit Training Assembly.

Supporting physical fitness is a priority for the commander of the CES squadron.  His intent is to encourage Airman to get fit and stay fit. 

"The goal here today is to be safe, have fun and assess your personal physical fitness," said Maj. Orren Squires, 944th CES commander.

Being fit is a requirement to be an Airman. The Air Force fitness program is designed to motivate Airmen to participate in a year round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness. 

According to Squires, he thinks hiking can be enjoyable and help individuals evaluate their physical fitness readiness.

"This is the kind of missions that CE members are doing while deployed.  It's not uncommon for an Airman to be in the area of responsibility, with 100 pounds of gear they have to carry.  Fitness doesn't have to be hard, I want them to have fun, but if they are unable to do this hike they will want to reassess their current fitness status," he added.

To further push themselves and ensure they are fully preparing for real world missions members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight put on full combat gear and carried additional equipment adding approximately 100 pounds to their frame. 

"This is business as usual for us; being fit is a must for an EOD troop," said Tech. Sgt. Brandall Selestewa, 944th CES, EOD team leader.   
The commander's intent was met today; the Airman had fun and became actively engaged in a good work out.

"This provided a whole different level of fitness for us; it was fun, very challenging and beneficial," said Senior Airman Jacobi Goodman, 944th CES operations manager.