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386th AEW implements fitness testing for select Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Select Airmen deployed to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing are adding fitness testing to their regular routines in connection with a mandate by U.S. Air Forces Central to evaluate Airmen while downrange.

Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, approved a policy Oct. 1 requiring Airmen who are deployed for one year or assigned as permanent party personnel to test while deployed.

The wing worked to implement a local program as expeditiously as possible, said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Flanagan, NCO in charge of the 386th AEW fitness facility, and testing began the first week in October.

"We were able to make that happen with help from agencies across the base, including the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and 386th Expeditionary Medical Group," Sergeant Flanagan said.

"Setting up the program was a lengthy process. The biggest challenge was asking all the right questions. We had to identify a running track and locate a place to do the push-ups, sit ups and abdominal circumference measurements."

Although outside temperatures have now cooled, organizers also needed to take summer weather into account when setting up the program. Ambient temperatures can rise well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, making it a challenge to schedule runs.

"We'll have to test really early in the morning or after the sun goes down," Sergeant Flanagan noted. "Safety is definitely a priority here, and we will try to work around any issues we come across."

One of the biggest obstacles to setting up the fitness program was the fact that the wing doesn't have a dedicated testing cell, Sergeant Flanagan explained.

"At home station, the main base testing cells manage the program," he said. "Here, it's the unit-level Physical Training Leaders who are testing people. But we're being flexible, and it works for us."

According to 1st Lt. Cecil Bells, 386th Operations Group executive commander and a physical training leader, many Airmen actually prefer testing downrange.

"For the most part, I'm hearing good things about testing because people tend to focus on getting in shape when they're deployed," he said. "Now, by testing in theater, there's one less thing to worry about upon returning home."

Testing is optional and requires commander approval for Airmen who are not on 365-day deployments or assigned as permanent party, Sergeant Flanagan said.