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AFAF crosses week-two mile marker

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tabitha N. Haynes
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
Joint Base Andrews, Md. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund is in full speed, crossing the week two mile marker with a fun-run on Joint Base Andrews, Md. Airmen from Air Force District of Washington, 11th Wing, 79th Medical Wing and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling joined in the two-mile run to celebrate the campaign of giving.

"We are here to have fun and to support those Airmen, past and present, who have given so much to us," said Col. Jeffery L. Stephenson, AFDW vice commander, as he addressed the crowd before the run. "This campaign is one of two opportunities that we have to give back to those Airmen and their families. In 2008, (AFAF) donated $24.3 million to help those families in need. So folks, my hats off to you, let's open our wallets and give them a run for their money."

Physical training leaders from the security forces squadron led the group in warm-up exercises before the 150 plus participants fell in behind their unit guidons.

Then with the click of the timer and a loud cheer, the run began. Some units shouted cadence, others stayed in formation - all encouraged teamwork and morale.

The first Airman to cross the finish line was Senior Airman Andrew Sawyer, AFDW contracting, who has already donated to all four organizations for the AFAF campaign. Sawyer finished the run in 13 minutes, 14 seconds.

The first female runner to cross the finish line was Airmen 1st Class Lindsey Beadle, 11th Wing Public Affairs, who is the AFAF key worker for her unit. She finished the run in 15 minutes, 34 seconds.