Fitness program tests AEDC military personnel physically, mentally

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  AEDC military personnel recently participated in the Air Force Team Cohesion Challenge at Arnold Air Force Base and received a glimpse of what goes into special operations training.

According to a release by Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs, the Team Cohesion Challenge is designed to teach leadership, promote unit cohesion and inspire teams to perform their best.

"This program was developed to provide Airmen the opportunity to participate in a team-based event which incorporates the five Cs of comprehensive Airmen fitness - caring, committing, connecting, communicating and celebrating," said Benjamin Evers, Air Force Personnel Center outdoor recreation specialist.

The challenge at Arnold Air Force Base was organized through the AEDC Fitness Center, with Fitness Center staff Joe Watters and Ron Stephenson serving as coordinators of the event.

As part of the program, the group took part in a rucksack challenge, during which they completed military-inspired challenges and missions, such as basic training calisthenics, swimming, lifting and marching all while wearing a backpack filled with 30 to 40 pounds of equipment.

The Team Cohesion Challenge builds upon the current popularity of adventure and mud races. The AFPC Directorate of Services partnered with GoRuck in providing this physical fitness program to Air Force installations throughout the United States.