Wing builds camaraderie through competitiveness Published Oct. 4, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the Spangdahlem community came together to cheer on their unit's teams as they fought for the title of Sports Day Champions Oct. 3, 2013. "We've all seen how much of an emphasis physical fitness has been in the Air Force and military in general," said Master Sgt. Steven White, 52nd Security Forces Squadron superintendent of standardizations and evaluations and Sports Day chair. "Sports day is just a way to promote fitness along with squadron unity and wing unity, and getting together to have a good time, and burn some calories while doing it." Activities involved with Sports Day are meant to raise camaraderie and esprit de corps throughout the 52nd Fighter Wing. "Sports day is a great opportunity for all of the squadrons to get together and compete," said Corey Shires, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron military pay technician and Sports Day participant. "Tensions will get high but that is still just a great way for everybody to meet different squadrons. There aren't too many times that we get to integrate like this, and this is a great chance that we need to take advantage of." The day consisted of a jodie run in the morning, six sporting events, a lunch sponsored by the Company Grade Officer Council and Tier Two, base professional organizations, and a leadership obstacle course to finish. More than 40 volunteers came together to ensure the day was a success. The 52nd FW commander, Col. David Julazadeh, presented the winners of each event with a traveling trophy, but for some Airmen, the day was about more than just a trophy. "(Sports Day is about) the competitiveness and how it brings everyone else closer as a team," Shires said. "Because usually when you work in different sections you don't know each other, but when you get out there and you are playing as a team, it brings you all closer."