Rocking and Running: Blue Steel serenades Wing War Fit

  • Published
  • By Dave Smith
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Wing War Fit on March 21, 2017, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, was an eclectic mix of fitness, nutrition and motivating music as Team Pete participants were regaled by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band’s Blue Steel ensemble and treated to fresh fruit from the Peterson AFB Commissary.

Chaplain (Capt.) Joshua Flynn, 21st Space Wing chaplain, took on the March Wing War Fit several months ago, serving as project officer. He decided to combine a few things to make the activity more appealing.

“I absolutely love fitness and through some research found out that March was military nutrition month,” he said. “I wanted to merge those two together because nutrition and fitness go hand in hand.”

Flynn said he wanted to involve as many of the base’s helping agencies as possible in setting up the event. He worked with the Health and Wellness Center, commissary, the Retirees Activities Office and of course, the chapel, to name a few. Various squadrons, including the 21st Force Support Squadron, 21st Medical Group and the 21st Wing Staff Agency, are part of the group as well.

“This is a total base effort for this wing war fit,” said Flynn.

For Blue Steel’s part, the band debuted their original song “Fly Higher,” during the event.

“The idea of the song is to inspire people to service,” said Senior Airman Craig Larimer, operations manager for Blue Steel, as well as keyboardist and vocalist for the band. “We want to recruit for the Air Force, but we want to encourage people to all kinds of service, whether it’s as a member of any branch of the military, a fire fighter, teacher or any public service. That’s the kind of message we promote.”

The band recorded video footage during wing war fit for later use in a music video for “Fly Higher.” Larimer said some footage will be incorporated into the video which will be used for various purposes like motivation and recruiting.

Since the Wing War Fit is all about health, it only seemed right to tie in National Nutrition Month, since it happens in March. A representative from the HAWC will provide a short briefing about the importance of healthy eating and the free resources the center offers.

Further incorporating nutrition, Flynn reached out to Andrew Brookes, Peterson AFB Commissary manager and Dolores Stanley, produce manager, because they donated items to an event the chapel was involved with last year.

“I approached them to see if they would like to be involved in the Wing War Fit especially since it is national nutrition month,” said Flynn. “They went above and beyond and donated several items like apples, oranges, and bananas.”

Wing War Fit is a monthly event when units form up, stretch and then embark on a group 5-K run around Peterson AFB.

 

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