50th SCS builds during obstacle course challenge

By admin

Posted on July 1, 2019

By 2nd Lt. Idalí Beltré Acevedo | 50th Space Wing Public Affairs

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Forty two 50th Space Communications Squadron Airmen took a break from their daily routines to participate in the first 50th SCS obstacle course challenge June 21.

The team united at PCR Fitness, located near Schriever AFB.

Maj. Sam McCabe, 50th SCS director of operations, came up with the initiative to facilitate team building and resilience.

“I have been running out here for about a year and a half and I knew the Airmen would love it,” he said.

McCabe wanted the Airmen to get out of their comfort zones and try something different.

“As people go through the Air Force, they get into their own (grooves), their own heads and in their own ways of doing things and they miss out on new opportunities,” he said.

McCabe explained he conducted an informal survey across 50th SCS and three Airmen had done this event.

“This was to get the Airmen out, to get the experience, if they don’t love it that’s fine but I wanted to at least expose them and hopefully find something new and bond,” he said.

McCabe has participated in obstacle course races for a year and a half.

“The reason I participate in races is I just love the culture,” he said. “You will be approaching an obstacle and if you are having difficulty with it you will have random people just come up behind you and help.”

McCabe explained he also admires the sense of patriotism and camaraderie he experienced in obstacle course races before, especially those involving wounded veterans.

“You will see veterans who have lost their legs in combat so they will be running with a crew,” he said. “They will be doing most of the (activities) by themselves but when it comes to running up a mountain you will see about eight massive (men) that will be carrying them up.”

Lt. Col. Anthony Lang, 50th SCS commander, also participated in the Spartan Challenge, motivating his team during the event.

“I believe it’s incredibly important for squadron personnel to get out on duty time and just have some fun,” he said. “I am excited to see a lot of our teammates get together and get to know each other as we move forward in the obstacles.”

Senior Airman Stephen Harrison, 50th SCS client systems technician, said he enjoyed participating side-by-side with teammates.

“I really loved the event. I thought it was really fun and my team motivated me, I would definitely do it again,” he said.

These events are designed to boost morale and build resiliency while meeting the 50th SW vision — one team … mastering space and cyberspace operations … now and into the future.