Edwards Airmen run for fitness, network security

Capt. Jeffrey Scott, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health and Human Performance Flight commander, leads Edwards Airmen on warm-up exercises at the Base Exchange prior to a formation run March 13. More than 700 Airmen participated in the 2.4-mile run to promote fitness and esprit de corps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Edwards Airmen run for fitness, network security

Tech. Sgt. Casey Schoettmer, 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-35 Joint Strike Fighter egress systems noncommissioned officer in charge, with other Airmen, stretches prior to a base formation run March 13 at the Base Exchange parking lot. Edwards Airmen ran more than 2.4 miles to promote fitness and esprit de corps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Edwards Airmen run for fitness, network security

Edwards Airmen run during an installation fitness run along FitzGerald Boulevard March 13. More than 700 Airmen, both military and civilian, participated in the event. The formation run was also used as an avenue for the 95th Communications Group to remind base personnel of network security. FitzGerald Boulevard was lined with boards providing information about what Airmen can do to ensure network security. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Edwards Airmen run for fitness, network security

Published March 17, 2009
By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At a subfreezing 30 degrees, Edwards Airmen braved the cold to show they are fit to fight March 13.

More than 700 Airmen, both military and civilian, ran 2.4 miles along FitzGerald Boulevard for the base's quarterly formation run, but with a twist. Signs were posted along FitzGerald Boulevard providing information about what Airmen can do to assist in the Air Force's cyber war.

"It's Network Security Day," said Col. John Odey, 95th Communications Group commander. "Being fit to fight is more than just running up and down the road. Part of our job is operating the most powerful system in the United States Air Force -- our network. We talked about holding our nation's shield. Part of that shield is the cyber shield. We are nation's defender and each and every one of us is a defender in cyberspace."

Leading the run and the cyberspace war was Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn, Air Force Flight Test Center commander.

"Good run by all," General Eichhorn said after the formation run. "Running up the hill is a little bit more challenging than what we've been doing. That is a good workout. Thank you all for being here this morning to do that."

According to Chief Master Sgt. Mark Brejcha, 412th Test Wing command chief, the formation run is about fit to fight and not "fit to test."

"We have to get better in our fitness," Chief Brejcha said. "Guess what, here at Edwards, we are. We have a pretty good group. It was a lot of fun. The formation run is a validation of what the Airmen have done in the last few months for their fitness."

The base chose March 13 for the formation run to culminate with the Air Force Flight Test Center Annual Awards banquet later that night.

"We thought it would be a great day for the entire base to kick it off with a formation run, where we come together, where we embrace fit to fight and culminate the day with recognizing the best of the best in the entire center," said Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, 95th Air Base Wing command chief.

Through this formation run, Airmen were afforded an opportunity to come out together and run with the base leadership, he said.

"We are going to show the rest of the Air Force that we are the real deal at Edwards and we have embraced the fit-to-fight concept," Chief Jaren said.