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AAF gym gains new equipment

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jamie Humphries
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  The Afghan air force gym here recently received a "makeover" with the arrival of new equipment that will help keep AAF members "fit to fight."

Capt. Billy Boland, an adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, noticed some time ago a majority of the equipment in the AAF gym was old and unserviceable. He, along with officer in charge of the gym, 2nd Lt. Daud Natif, began the process of ordering new workout equipment.

Within a few months, various equipment including multi-gym machines, bench presses, dumb bells, sports balls, lockers and scales arrived.

"My hopes are that the AAF is able to utilize the equipment in an efficient manner. I know that they were excited to get the new items because their old stuff was getting pretty beat up," said Boland. "During each delivery of new equipment, there would always be a crowd that gathered to see what new stuff they would be getting and you could see the excitement on their face grow with each delivery."

Marking the occasion with a visit was AAF Commander Maj. Gen. Abdul Wahab Wardak who was on hand to stress the importance of fitness within the ranks. Wahab was accompanied by several athletes who serve on various base soccer and volleyball teams.

"This was a big deal to them. I also think that allowing them to have such an active role in selecting the equipment they needed also increased the excitement for the equipment," said Boland.

Currently, coalition advisers are working to create a weight lifting instruction course as well as a female fitness class that will help encourage women to visit the gym as well said officials.

Hopefully all this effort pays off as members prepare for their mandatory fitness test given annually reiterated Boland.

"I think it was really a good event and I think having both high ranking U.S. and Afghan officers in attendance really showed the Afghans how significant proper fitness is," explained Boland. "We are hoping that this event and the new equipment in general will encourage more AAF members to utilize the gym."