New competition increases fitness and camaraderie Published Oct. 6, 2010 By Bekah Clark 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Squadrons from the 375th Air Mobility Wing competed in the first ever Commander's Challenge hosted by Col. Michael Hornitschek, wing commander, at Scott Parade Field Oct. 1. The event, aimed at fostering fitness and camaraderie, pitted each squadron within the 375th as well as the wing staff agencies against each other to finish a two-mile run and an eight-person relay. After arriving at the parade field, the nearly 400 Airmen participated in organized stretching, and received a safety briefing and instructions for the afternoon's competition. "Today, we are going to do some great team building, and we're going to have fun," said Colonel Hornitschek. The run was organized by squadrons, and only those squadrons who started and finished as a unit were allowed to move on to the eight-person relay phase of the competition. The eight teams that competed were the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron, combined 54th Airlift Squadron and 458th AS, 375th Medical Support Squadron, combined 375th Operations Group staff and 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 375th Communications Support Squadron, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron, wing staff and the 375th Security Forces Squadron. The relay consisted of lunges, push-ups, sit-ups and a run to the finish. Two members from the team were responsible for completing one of the four portions of the test. As an added challenge, the relay teams had to also pack two deployment bags and carry those with them as they completed the challenge. "It's good to see the Airmen of the 375th get in the spirit of keeping ourselves fit to fight and enhance our ability to deploy while having a fun competition in the process," said Colonel Hornitschek. The event came to a close with 375th SFS winning the traveling trophy and bragging rights--at least until next month.