Wounded Warrior sports camp, training comes to Eglin

  • Published
  • By Janis El Shabazz
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  More than 100 wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans from around the country will train and compete in two adaptive sports events the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program will host April 13-22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Adaptive sports - athletic activities modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals - are reported to be essential to the recuperation of wounded warriors.

The first event, an adaptive sports training camp scheduled for April 13-16, will introduce the Airmen to such adaptive sports as wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, swimming, air pistol and rifle shooting, archery, cycling and track and field competitions including shot-put, discus and running events.

"Adaptive sports directly and positively impact recovering service members' long term physical and mental health," said Marsha Gonzales, deputy chief, AFPC Warrior and Survivor Care Division.

In the second event, scheduled for April 18-22, members of the newly selected Air Force Warrior Games team will train in preparation for the annual Department of Defense Warrior Games, June 19-28 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

"The games are not necessarily about winning or losing," said Gonzales. "Each athlete competing tells a story of triumph, regardless of whether or not they stand on the podium. These games introduce our wounded, ill and injured recovering service members to adaptive sports and mentorship to aid in their recovery from visible and hidden wounds."

Eglin Fitness Center patrons should please note that certain facilities will not be open for use by regular customers during certain times April 13-22, due to the training requirements for our Warriors. Closures include the following:

·Gym floor and East Gate track: Daily, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
·Hangar 3 movie room: daily
·Postl Point pavilion and portions of the 3-mile course area: Daily, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. for cycling
·Racquetball courts, spin room, and other exercise areas: Minimum closures to support alternative training
·Base pool: April 13-16, 10-11:30 a.m., and April 18-22, 2-4:30 p.m.
Fitness patrons are encouraged to utilize the fitness annex, field house, PT pavilion, Oak Hill and hospital tracks, and East-West jogging path.

For more information on the wounded warrior program, visit www.woundedwarrior.af.mil.