Four R’s for our Airmen

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Story by Airman 1st Class Monica Roybal
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The 633rd Air Base Wing launched an initiative aimed at improving squadron fitness at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 1, 2019.

Members from various Langley Air Force Base squadrons gathered to create an incentive program that encourages Airmen to leave their comfort zones, participate in diverse fitness challenges and compete to be named the fittest squadron.

“We realize fitness is different for everybody,” said Tony Arroyo, 633rd Force Support Squadron fitness director. “We want to provide opportunities for people to participate and compete in different fitness-related activities to improve quality-of-life and improve readiness.”

The lead coordinator, U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Larbie, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander, explained the initiative’s focus will allow squadrons to set high standards for their units, while also improving their members’ individual fitness.

“This initiative is going to help us restore Air Force readiness,” Larbie said. “Squadrons can improve integral fitness which, in turn, makes members more lethal and ready to win combat operations in contested environments.”

The new fitness initiative will concentrate on the four R’s.

Revitalization + Recognition + Resiliency = Readiness.

According to Arroyo, not only does the program intend to empower members by appealing to the competitive nature of fitness challenges, but program organizers also want to inspire individuals who don’t typically focus on physical fitness to participate in some friendly squadron competition.

Squadrons can accumulate points each quarter by participating in the following events:

• Monthly fitness challenges
• 5k runs scheduled for the third Friday of each month
• Intramural sports
• Quarterly fitness challenges
• Mandatory fitness assessment tests

Top performing Airmen will be recognized and rewarded in each category. Airmen who score 100% on the fitness assessment tests will have their photos and score details featured on the fitness center’s televisions as well as the 100% Club wall at Shellbank Fitness Center.

Accumulated points are tallied up at the end of each quarter and the top-scoring squadron will be awarded the Fittest Squadron trophy.

“We want to improve physical resilience for our members,” Arroyo said. “Our job is to remove obstacles so people can come in and use these fitness opportunities to improve their individual fitness, which will help improve their squadron’s fitness and overall readiness for our Air Force.”


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