MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- A group of Marines cheer from the sidelines for Marines rushing across an open field with a violent energy aimed at doing one thing: win the race for their team.
Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, hosted a semi-annual field meet at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, May 26, 2017. During the field meet, MAG-29 also conducted its “101 Days of Summer” operational pause to increase the Marines’ awareness of additional risks during the summer months ahead.
“In conjunction with our 101 Days of Summer OpPause, we can get the Marines out here to have a good time, some free chow and some good PT at the same time,” said Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Stockman, the MAG-29 personnel support detachment first sergeant.
Some of the events Marines competed in included: a water jug relay race, dizzy izzy, team push-ups, Humvee push and rifle cleaning relay race.
Some of the MAG-29 units present were Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, HMLA-269, HMH-366, HMH-461, HMH-464, Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29.
By conducting the field meet and operational pause at the same time, MAG-29 was able to focus on common injuries and risks associated with the summer months through outdoor challenges and competitions ensuring safety, unit cohesion and readiness.
Stockman said the event was held to give Marines a break from the office or off of the flight line, and also prepare for the long Memorial Day weekend.
“As the weather improves, more Marines and Sailors are going to be outside participating in outdoor recreational activities,” said Sgt. Lisa Poulson, the ground training non-commissioned officer-in-charge assigned to MAG-29. “So we came out here to assess the risks associated with those activities to reduce [the chance of injury] as much as possible.”
Poulson said they conduct an operational pause semi-annually to give the Marines a much needed break and to identify risks associated with everyday life in the military. The field meet was followed by a barbecue; to conclude their afternoon workout with some good food and camaraderie.