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Sportsmanship equals partnership

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert
  • 321 AEW Public Affairs
NEW AL MUTHANA AB, Iraq --  View slide show

A football or soccer tournament was held here at the air base consisting of three teams from the Iraqi and U.S. Air Force starting May 12. The tournament promoted camaraderie amongst the coalition forces raising morale and friendships.

"We take it for granted that we play soccer on grass back home," said Lt. Col. Thomas Maddock, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, Iraqi Training Advisory Mission-Air Force deployed from Kirtland AFB, N.M., advisor for IqAF A-9 personnel, "here, we didn't even think about quitting when a sand storm kicked up during the middle of the game. We just thought that we were playing really hard."

Despite the lack of grass and a cool night breeze, the three teams competed with all the vigor and spirit of camaraderie regardless of the austere conditions and environment. There were a lot of happy smiling faces, singing and chanting and most of all a feeling of progress. In a war torn country, there is still time to play soccer.

"It's amazing to see the happiness and sportsmanship amongst the units and each other during the tournament. It's a sign that life could be going back to normal," concluded Lt. Col. Maddock.