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Show IIVIES Intramural teams play for sick child Basketball players compete for 2014 championship title BY SARAH STOLL Hilltop Times correspondent HILL AIR FORCE BASE — One of the intramural basketball teams on base has had some extra motivation the past few years — it's been playing in support of a player's child with a serious illness. Intramural basketball season has been in full swing for a few weeks — but is now on hold during the Warrior Fitness Center closure. Teams compete weekly throughout January, February and March for the 2014 championship title. One of the participating teams wears matching jerseys proudly displaying "F4N." This team, composed of five men who have been playing together for many years (and a few new additions), plays for fun and to raise awareness about childhood cancer. Team captain Ken Daubney of the AFMC 518 SMXS had his life dramatically shaken in 2011 when his 14-month-old son, Noah, "was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer." During that time, intramural basketball was his "refuge from all the bad things that were happening." The team decided to change its name to "F4N" or "Faith for Noah" — after a Facebook page was created in his son's honor with the same title. In the two years of intramurals leading up to 2011, the team finished in second place. During the 2011 season, when Noah endured his battle with cancer, Ken notes: "Our team dedicated that season to Noah and we had an amazing run through the playoffs, that included an overtime victory in the finals — and we won the base championship." Ken decided "to make the jerseys ... to spread the word about childhood cancer ... The gray in the jerseys represents the color of brain cancer and the gold represents the color of childhood cancer." According to Ken, "Noah is doing great today. He has been cancer free for over two years." Now that Noah has made his See BASKETBALL I Page 10 SARAH STOLL/Hilltop Times correspondent Teams gathered on Feb. 11 for intramural games in the Hill AFB Warrior Fitness Center. SMSgt promotion release rescheduled for March 20 Cross-country cyclist BY DEBBIE GILDEA Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Contributed photo Rob Jones, a decorated Marine who lost both of his legs above the knee when he stepped on an explosive device, is currently making his way through Utah on a journey across the United States. Marine who lost legs in Afghanistan biking across U.S. BY MITCH SHAW Hilltop Times staff H ILL AIR FORCE BASE — Rob Jones, a decorated Marine who lost both of his legs above the knee when he stepped on an explosive device, is currently making his way through Utah on a journey across the United States. Jones lost his legs in Afghanistan in 2010. After multiple surgeries, countless rounds of physical therapy, Jones regained his ability to walk with the aid of prostheses. During his trials, Jones said he was overcome with gratitude by the amount of support he received and wanted to some how repay those that helped him. He decided to bike across a continent. Jones began his cycling journey in October 2013 and is currently biking through the southern portion of Utah. His goal is to raise money and awareness for nationally recognized veterans' organizations. He hopes to raise $1 million for charities such as The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, The Semper Fi Fund, and Ride2Recovery. "It's simple really" Jones said, "I am committed to giving back to the organiSee CYCLIST I Page 10 JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIORANDOLPH, Texas — The 2014 senior master sergeant promotion selection release slated for March 6 has been rescheduled for March 20, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. "Air staff distributes promotion quotas based on fiscal and statutory constraints, and projected grade vacancies," said Col. Joe Atkins, the AFPC operations division chief. "We are working carefully to make final adjustments associated with fiscal year 2015 to ensure we have the correct promotions to meet projected Air Force senior noncommissioned officer requirements." The promotion release procedures will remain the same. Public release will occur at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time and individual score notices will be available at the same time on the Air Force secure site (accessible via myPers). Additionally, this change will not delay the pin-on dates for any Airman selected for senior master sergeant. The first month of promotion increments will be April 2014. For more information about promotions and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https:// mypers.af.mil . CYCLING, SEATED VOLLEYBALL, SWIMMING, TRACK & FIELD, SHOOTING 50 AF Wounded Warriors vie for a spot on annual Warrior Games Team "Adaptive athletic reconditioning helps wounded warriors build strength and endurance while they draw inspiration from teammates who don't just sympathize." — STEVE OTERO Air Force Wounded Warrior Program communications and marketing coordinator BY JANIS EL SHABAZZ Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIORANDOLPH, Texas — Fifty Air Force wounded warriors from around the nation are participating in an introductory adapted sports camp at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the games ran from Feb. 24-28. The camp offered by the Air Force Wounded Warrior Adaptive Sports Program, is the first of two introductory camps being held in 2014, as a qualifying events for the annual Warrior Games team to be held in September at the Air Force Academy and Olympic 'fairing Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Adaptive athletic reconditioning — athletic activities that are modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals - are reported to be essential to the recuperation of wounded warriors. "The adaptive camps introduce the Airmen to adaptive sports, such as cycling; seated volleyball; swimming; track and field; air rifle and pistol shooting and wheelchair basketball, as early in the healing process as possible to get them to focus on their abilities and not their disabilities," said Steve Otero, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program communications and marketing coordinator. Otero said the goal of the introductory adapted sports camps is not to necessarily identify the most skilled athletes, but rather to introduce them to the healing potential that adaptive sports can provide. Adaptive athletic reconditioning has proven to have positive effects on recovering service member's physical and emotional well-being, improve employment opportunities and present fewer secondary medical conditions. "Fitness and teamwork are a way of life in the military," Otero said. "Adaptive athletic reconditioning helps wounded warriors build strength and endurance while they draw inspiration from teammates who don't just sympathize — they can truly empathize because many of them are going through the same recovery and rehabilitation challenges." For more information on the wounded warrior program, visit www.woundedwarrior.af.mil . |