Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Staff Sgt. Scott Fry, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, sets up a shot June 27 at the 21st Space Wing's sports and field day. The annual event challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Philip Carter)

Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Volleyball players get in an early practice prior to the sports and field day volleyball tournament June 27. The annual sports and field day challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard)

Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Staff Sgt. Bryan Bleisch, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, fields a goal during a sports and field day soccer match June 27. The annual sports and field day challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard)

Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Leonard Vargas, 21st Space Wing Information Protection office, attempts a 'ringer' during a horseshoe game June 27 at the 21st SW's annual sports and field day. The annual event challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard)

Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Football was another offering June 27 at the 21st Space Wing's annual sports and field day. The annual event challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dennis Howk)

Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The tug-of-war match was hotly contested June 27 during the 21st Space Wing's sports and field day. The annual event challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dennis Howk)

Sports and field day

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Runners and walkers kick off the 5k race June 27 at the 21st Space Wing's sports and field day. The annual event challenges Airmen and civilians to test their skills and stamina while building camaraderie, and of course allow bragging rights. (U.S. Air Force photo/Philip Carter)

Sports, field day promotes team building

Published July 1, 2013
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Under a solid blue sky and sunny weather, Peterson Airmen and civilians took part in the team building, laughter and camaraderie that has become the hallmark of Peterson's Sports and Field Day June 27.

With Pikes Peak as the backdrop, squadrons, units and offices across Peterson battled for bragging rights in a wide array of events ranging from the 50-meter swim to billiards.

"It's a good way to get away from the office and relax, so for the (21st SW) to put something like this together for everyone to come out, compete and have some fun blowing off steam is great," said Staff Sgt. James McAnallen, 76th Space Control Squadron member and participant in the sports and field day activities.

Team Pete participants wasted no time lacing up their running shoes, polishing pool cues and dusting off those dodge ball sweatbands.

Archery was one of the first events to start off the day - an unexpected, but exciting, event for the day.

"I was pretty surprised. You normally don't associate archery as a sports and field activity during a military function," McAnallen said when asked about the lineup for this year's event.

With the afternoon heat exceeding 90 degrees, many competitors were also thankful for selecting an indoors competition.

"Today has been really cool, it's nice outside, you get to meet new people and watching people participate in the events has been great," said 1st Lt. Laureal Jones, 21st Medical Group. "And I get to wear my cool bowling shoes," Jones said as her fellow team members broke into laughter.

Getting to know colleagues was an added bonus.

"You get to see people from your section and what they are really like without the stresses of work, it is a great way to build team players and camaraderie," said Maj. Kurt Kaiser from the 21st MDG and one of Jones' teammates.

The day included free food and music by the Air Force Academy's Wild Blue Country band at Eagle Park, and culminated with an awards' ceremony at 4 p.m. Winners for the day included:

Small Unit:
1st - 4th Manpower Requirements Squadron
2nd - 13th Air Support Operations Squadron
3rd - 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group

Medium Unit:
1st - Air Force Space Command command section
2nd - AFSPC Inspector General Office
3rd - 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron

Large Unit:
1st - 21st Medical Group
2nd - Team Colorado (Space and Missile Systems Center)
3rd - 21st SCS

For more information on special events and recreational opportunities, visit the Peterson Outdoor Recreation Center online at http://www.21fss.com/about/outdoor-recreation/ or call 556-4867.