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NCR Airmen communicate in the field during Warrior Day exercise

  • Published
  • By Maj. Johnnie R. Mason, Jr.
  • 844th Communications Group
Joint Base Andrews, Md. --  The number one goal for Col. Anthony J. Thomas, Air Force District of Washington communications squadron and 844th Communication Group, is taking care of his people, to include professional, physical, spiritual and mental needs.

Recently the AFDW Communication Squadron and 844th Communications Group sponsored a Warrior Day to help meet this goal. After all, it takes a strong body, mind and spirit to become an Air Force Warrior.

Warrior Day started at 6:30 a.m. with six teams of eight - nine participants from Joint Base Andrews, Md., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and the Executive Travel Team formed up on the south side of JBA to receive their mission brief from Maj. David L. Weide, 744th Communications Squadron division officer.

The purpose of Warrior Day was to "get back to basics so we can train as a team and win as a team," said Master Sgt. Shane K. Richardson, 744th Communications Squadron.

Teams were challenged to take on contingency mission tasks we don't get to do every day.

These tasks included:

1. Defensive Posturing
2. CBRNE Exercises
3. Obstacle Courses
4. M-16 Take Down and Assembly
5. UXO Sweep
6. Self Aid Buddy Care
7. Ruck March
8. Land Navigation

The nature of the tasks helped to build camaraderie and cohesiveness within the teams.

Teams were not just built from one work center. They were formed across many work centers and forced out of their comfort zones and encouraged to adapt to each other out in the field.

At the end of the event, team five, Cobra Commanders, led by Master Sgt. Michael T. Johnson, 744th communications squadron, came away the winner. However, all participants came away with more professional knowledge, higher morale and a sense of accomplishment.