AFGSC to kick-off month long "Never Quit" Rowing Challenge April 5

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  • By 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen will learn how much pull it takes to get to the Olympics when the command kicks off its month-long "Never Quit" rowing challenge scheduled here at 7 a.m. April 5.

The American300 Rowing Challenge, part of a command-wide initiative to strengthen and encourage Whiteman Airmen, will begin with Col. Robert Spalding, 509th Operations Group commander, rowing the first 500 meters at the Whiteman AFB gymnasium while leaders at other AFGSC bases kick off the event at their home stations.

"This challenge is designed to promote fitness, teamwork and a spirit of competition," said Col. Gregory Parsons, director of the AFGSC personnel directorate. "We are also encouraging Airmen to work to overcome obstacles in their lives."

As part of the American300 Never Quit tour stopping at the command's bases, Olympic gold medalist and world champion rower Dan Beery will share his story and demonstrate proper rowing technique to Team Whiteman. Sean Colgan, Congressional medal recipient and a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic rowing team, will talk to Airmen about overcoming obstacles and moving forward when faced with disappointment.

"Sean Colgan had to overcome the disappointment of not being able to compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow due to a U.S. boycott of the games," Parsons said. "He could have used that as an excuse to give up his dream, but instead he organized two competitions with the Soviet Union following the Olympic Games, and Team USA won both."

The Rowing Challenge links the American300 "Never Quit" series with the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by challenging Airmen to row a cumulative total of 5,900 kilometers between all the bases - the distance between Washington DC and London.

The AFGSC Airman with the overall farthest distance rowed will travel to London with the American300 team in July. The base with the overall farthest distance rowed will receive $50,000 in quality of life funds.

Additionally, Col. Andrew Gebara, 509th Bomb Wing vice commander, will participate with the American300 tour prior to the month-long competition by demonstrating how to row the machine at the fitness center today.
Any personnel (including dependents) assigned to AFGSC may participate in the rowing, however, only active duty Airmen assigned to AFGSC are eligible to win prizes. Fitness Center Staff are not eligible for the Grand Prize.

Individual Prizes: US Olympic Rowing Team gear
Base Prize: $50K to the AFGSC base that rows the most meters
Grand Prize: A trip to London in July 2012 with American300 to the AFGSC Airman that rows the most meters.

In the next few months, American300 will bring several other tours to AFGSC bases.
For more information, contact Master Sgt. Nathan McCoy at 660-687-6044. Those interested in participating in the row can sign up through a designated group point of contact which will be announced in next week's Whiteman Warrior and via Facebook.

(Carla Pampe contributed to this article)