JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
A straightforward uncomplicated exercise, the push-up; simple, precise and pretty easy if you only do a few. It is a component of the Air Force's Physical Fitness Assessment for Airmen serving at home and deployed throughout the globe. At first glance it's hardly subject matter worthy of an article in the base paper. But what if, upon further inspection, there's more to it?
The Lions of the 16th Airlift Squadron are finishing our third month deployed as an Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. We're stationed throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in three separate locations operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We're busy, but in a good way. We're busy in a way that our friends and families sacrificing so much at home to support us can understand. We're moving the mission, transporting essential supplies, conducting vital passenger movements, executing aerial resupply, and providing critical medical evacuations in support of on-going contingency operations.
During our deployment the squadron has chosen a different charity or cause to support each month. We started with cancer research and transitioned to supporting "Toys-for-Tots" for the holidays. For January, in line with many Americans making fitness related New Year's resolutions, we decided to dedicate ourselves to improved fitness while simultaneously supporting our nation's wounded warriors. The squadron initiated a "Pennies for Pushups" competition and fundraiser with all proceeds being donated to an organization devoted to supporting service members injured in combat.
The individual commitment and perseverance required to do thousands of pushups in a single month served as a reminder that our deployed service isn't about any single individual, aircrew or detachment. Our shared undertaking enabled us to reflect on what service before self is all about. Our efforts proved that by enduring temporary pain, we can help alleviate the suffering of others. Knocking out a couple of sets of push-ups as a crew before, during or after critical resupply flights to support Soldiers, Airmen and Marines at bases throughout Afghanistan called to mind the vital importance of our missions.
The push-up evolved into more than just an exercise during the last 31 days; it served as a near-constant reminder on the necessity of putting the sustainment of others before one's self. What started out as a fitness challenge and an effort to maintain camaraderie across the squadron's three locations ended up providing much more than the promise of improved PT scores when we return. Our fund raiser fostered healthy competition, acted as a means to bond with friends and loved ones back home, gave us a sense of mission accomplishment, and permitted us to reflect on and connect with members of our sister services. Most importantly, it gave us an opportunity to give back to those who have sacrificed and endured so much more for America.
In the end, the final scores were tallied, the Ibuprofen taken and the winners were declared. The resulting improvements in mental discipline, physical toughness and unit esprit de corps are evident. Regardless of the final individual totals, the real winners were our nation's wounded warriors. The result: good-natured rivalry, improved fitness, shared sacrifice and an opportunity to support those who have given so much in our nation's defense. Thank you to all that participated, all that sponsored us, and all that continue to support us during our deployment.
The simple pus-hup ... not much to it really. Unless you "dig a little deeper", knock out just a few more and dedicate yourself to something greater than yourself.