Travis hosts Combat Dining-In

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With their Max Infusion Arctic Shock and Secret Strike cannons locked and loaded; pink, blue and orange water grenades armed for battle and their faces covered in black, green and red war paint, more than 500 enlisted members of Team Travis prepared to do battle during the Travis Enlisted Combat Dining-In April 27.

With "Wingman: never leave home without one," as the theme, the event held in Hangar 818, was sponsored by the Rising 6 and designed to increase Travis members' morale, introduce some formal aspect of military social life and familiarize the enlisted corps with Air Force traditions.

More importantly, it was to have a little Friday night fun with friends and co-workers.

"We wanted to give something back to our fellow enlisted Airmen and give them something fun to do," said Staff Sgt. Donald Valentine, Rising 6 vice president.

Attempting to create realistic deployment scenarios, the event began with members standing in line, awaiting inprocessing and formal instructions. After which, members were highly encouraged to mingle and meet other members of Team Travis' enlisted corps.

Making their entrance as the theme to Knight Rider blared from the speakers, Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief and president of the mess, along with members of the head table, made their entrance with all the pomp and circumstance befitting their status.

Following the presentation of the colors, various toasts and the reading of the rules of engagement, Staff Sgt. Maria Testut, 60th Dental Squadron, and Senior Airman Thomas Schlimmer, 615th Contingency Response Wing, in their roles of as madam and mister vice, asked for volunteers to clean and inspect the notorious Grog.

"It was fun being the mister vice and working with Sergeant Testut," Airman Schlimmer said. "It's always fun and exciting when you have a direct influence on making any event a success."

Airman Schlimmer added that one of his duties as mister vice was to prosecute individuals for "breaking the rules of engagements," to which there were many.

"People were being prosecuted for such violations as weapons theft, leaving the weapons unattended and even shooting noncombatants," Sergeant Valentine said.

When found guilty, the "convicted" Airmen were ordered to complete an obstacle course where they were blasted with numerous Max Infusion Artic Shock and Secret Strike cannons, and pelted pink, blue and orange water grenades as they made their way to the infamous "Grog." And since every Airman is taught to never leave home without one, the convicted Airman's wingman endured the same fate.

After dinner and more court cases, guest speaker, Capt. Michael Shirley, 60th Security Forces Squadron spoke about being physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually ready for deployment.

"I had a wonderful time," said Senior Airman Angie Jordan, executive assistant to the 60th AMW command chief. "It was great to see the different enlisted ranks interact with each other outside of work, laughing and taking care of one another."

"Many people said their favorite part was when the president (Chief Williams) allowed a five-minute free for all and everyone started firing at the head table," Sergeant Valentine said.

The Rising 6 wishes to express their appreciation to all involved with making the event a successful one.

"We want to send special thanks to Tech. Sgt. Aaron Redfearn, 570th Global Mobility Squadron and his team for providing the tents and cammo netting. Also thank you to Tech. Sgt Terry Rainey, 60th Medical Support Squadron and his team for setting up the table and cleaning up after the event," Sergeant Valentine said.

"Last but not least, a final 'thank you' to all who took part in the Team Travis Enlisted Combat Dining In. You made the event a resounding success," Airman Schlimmer said.