GSU receives HAWC equipment Published Dec. 15, 2009 By Senior Airman Clay Murray 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Readiness as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces requires that servicemembers stay physically fit and exercise regularly. In accordance with this concept, the Airmen over at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, have recently installed new fitness equipment at the Health and Wellness Center. The equipment is part of a MicroFit system - physical assessment machinery that evaluates body signals and processes that indicate physical status. It provides quantifiable data that individuals can use to track their progress, said Maj. Marshall Fiscus, Geilenkirchen Wellness Center officer in charge, 470th Air Base Squadron. "This is a great piece of equipment to solidify programs offered at Geilenkirchen; it adds some validation to our small program," Major Fiscus said. "There are different pieces to measure body fat, flexibility, strength, etc. This gives people a better idea of individual areas of focus." Servicemembers at Geilenkirchen AB may find the new equipment a step in the right direction considering they are part of a geographically-separated unit, and resources can prove limited at times. "As a GSU, the 470th has limited access to the exercise physiologist and almost no specialized equipment," Major Fiscus said. "This particular piece of equipment can give an objective measurement to a person's fitness level, which then can be used to develop an exercise program to better meet his or her goals." The changes may seem minimal to those stationed at Spangdahlem; but to a geographically-separated unit, small improvements can make a positive difference. "Sometimes those of us at the main base can be spoiled; when I visit GSUs, I look at opportunities to provide a little extra quality of life," said Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Kenney, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief. "Sometimes those stationed with our NATO partners may not have all we have here. I see this as an opportunity to look at fitness and provide equipment to improve their quality of life with an emphasis on fitness." Providing for health equipment like this is vital and directly corresponds to the direction our current Air Force is heading, Chief Kenney said. "(It benefits Airmen) anytime you provide a system or equipment for fitness and health considering we have a new physical training system and test," he said. "When I entered the service, we had roughly 600,000 personnel; now we're down to about 230,000 and up to three times the mission that we had 30 years ago. Today, we have less time to prepare than in the past. Anytime we can contribute, it's good not only for the mission, but also in the long-term." Funding for the new fitness system and equipment was split between the 52nd Mission Support Group and quality of life funds the 52nd FW command chief works with. "I visit our GSUs frequently. When I do visit them, my job is health, morale and training," the chief said. "I look at each of these when I visit. I ask Airmen what it is that they need, and in this case they asked for better fitness equipment. I decided to pitch in and split the cost with the 52nd MSG." "Research was conducted by (Robert) Kent, our fitness liaison, for the purchase," Major Fiscus said. "We worked with finance to complete the purchase. Once it arrived, setup and installation was completed mainly by Mr. Kent with some assistance from medical systems and communications and computer staff. Use of the recently installed equipment is expected to pick up. The hardware is still new to Airmen, and members are slowly working use of the equipment into their routines. "We just recently received and set up the equipment, so it has not been fully integrated into our assessment for exercise or fitness levels," Major Fiscus said. "We have begun advertising and expect usage to increase after the first year."