Whiteman AFB begins rowing to victory

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Danielle Quilla
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The row to victory has begun at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

From Feb. 1 – 28, 2018, the Fitness Center encourages members of Team Whiteman to put their endurance to the test and compete in the first Base vs. Base Rowing Challenge.

“This is an annual event that we have here at Whiteman AFB, but this year we have reached out to other bases within the Air Force Global Strike Command,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Amy Tordera, a fitness program manager with the 509th Force Support Squadron.

Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and Minot AFB, North Dakota, all have agreed and are excited to participate in the 2018 challenge.

“The base that rows the most average meters by the end of the competition will be the winner of the first Rowing Challenge Traveling Trophy,” said Tordera.

In addition to the base vs. base competition, Whiteman AFB participant scores will also go toward the squadron trophy for furthest distance rowed and individual prizes.

The competition takes place during normal operating hours Monday-Thursday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To ensure meters are tracked, participants must check-in and out with the Fitness Center after rowing.

The 2017 male winner, Senior Airman Jared Gerlach, from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, kicked off the rowing challenge opening ceremony on Feb. 1 at 5 a.m., and since then the steady sound of air rowers have filled the fitness center.

With February being a short month, be sure to check in and help Whiteman row to victory.

For more information, contact the Fitness Center at 660-687-5496.