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‘CAFinated’ obstacle course energizes Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  More than 70 people from the 375th Air Mobility Wing paired together during a team-building obstacle course here Sept. 1, for the first-ever "Get CAFinated" event. Mental Health personnel organized the event to focus on and enhance skills associated with the Wingman concept and promote suicide prevention.

"We are trying to promote the four pillars of CAF and also to teach you to use your Wingman," said Capt. Jason Forquer, Scott Clinic Mental Health Resiliency Element Chief

Comprehensive Airman Fitness, or CAF, is a methodology created to allow AMC to focus their efforts towards taking care of Airmen and their families by providing for their physical, social, mental, and spiritual fitness. Across the command, many bases are taking part in events focused on promoting Comprehensive Airman Fitness. The goal of Comprehensive Airman Fitness is to help Airmen, Air Force civilians and family members become more resilient and better-equipped to deal with the rigors of military life.

Mental Health provided a scenario to represent each pillar of the CAF: earplugs for social pillars, simulated broken arm for the physical pillar, peer pressure for the spiritual pillar and beer goggles for the mental pillar. Airmen from each team had to pick a scenario out of the hat and then while tied together, maneuver through the obstacle course using their Wingman skills.

"I want Airmen to understand the Wingman concept and the importance of resiliency," said Senior Airman Samantha Mangrich, mental health technician. "I think this event is important because it is getting the suicide prevention awareness out there, but it also allows Airman to realize the importance of taking care of each other."

Staff Sgt. Daneirys Liranzo, 375th Communications Squadron, wore the beer goggles through the obstacle course while tied to her wingman, Tech. Sgt. Arlene Lee.

"It is better to have two people because you support each other," said Lee. "As people we tend to do our own thing most of the time. With this event, it reinforced that you really do need have support of a shop, team or Airmen because you can't do everything by yourself."

For questions about CAF or suicide awareness, contact Mental Health at 256-7386.