An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

380AEW Article

Sports bring joint, coalition partners together at deployed wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted several athletic competitions Dec. 18, in order to build camaraderie and build partnerships with Soldiers as well as teams from the French air force and military members of the host nation.

The event showcased the skills and talents of several individuals and teams in events like basketball, soccer, swimming, table tennis and others. The winners of each event were awarded a medal by Brig. Gen. Jeff Lofgren, the 380th AEW commander, in a ceremony at the end of the day.

According to the general, occasions like this one make for great opportunities for host nation, French and U.S. military members to talk and have fun outside of a work environment.

"The whole point of this was to get together and build on our relationships," said Lofgren. "An important part of being an American Airman is to understand where you are in the world and learning a bit about that culture to take with you wherever you go."

For Abdula Khaliq Al Mulla, a host nation military member who also won the table tennis tournament, the day was about friends getting together and learning to better relate to one another.

"This was a good idea for us to come and enjoy the day together," he said. "I hope we do this more."

The holiday games were a companion event to earlier this year when the host nation invited American military members to participate in their Ramadan Games in August, a weeklong activity of games, sports and celebrating partnership, Lofgren said.

"Every chance we get we must work to develop relationships that strengthen our understanding of each other," the general said of the Ramadan Games event. "Little events like this go a long way in breaking down barriers to good clear communication. Relationships matter, whether it be between the Air Force and Army or the U.S. and [host nation] or the French. Relationships build trust and trust builds strength."

(Master Sgt. Chance Babin 380th AEW Public Affairs contributed to this story)