Halloween fitness fun

Halloween and physical fitness came together for the 3rd Combat Communications Group as Airmen and commanders did pre-dawn calisthenics and ran three miles across base for their monthly Stampede. A costume contest started the unusual workout and Halloween music floated over the Herd’s compound through the outdoor sound system. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

Halloween fun

Posing for pictures, applause and a lot of laughter, winners of the 3rd Herd costume contest enjoy the spotlight before the monthly Stampede, a group-wide fitness activity. Staff Sgt. Jerry Harding, left, and Master Sgt. Michael Mujwid earned a day off for their win. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

3rd Herd 'Stampede'

Col. James Appleyard, 3rd Combat Communications Group commander, wore a gorilla suit, carried a banana and cheered on his Airmen during a 3-mile Halloween physical training run. Costumed runners stopped by the Child Development Center West to wave at the children and cheer on the Herd Airmen who ran in traditional PT gear. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

Ghosts, goblins run as Herd hosts ‘Stampede’

Published Nov. 9, 2007
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Anytime, anywhere ... even Halloween.
   The 3rd Combat Communications Group ran its monthly three-mile run Oct. 31. Although it's typically held the last Friday of the month, this month's "3rd Herd Stampede" was postponed due to the recent operational readiness exercise.
   "The importance of physical fitness in today's Air Force is no secret, but there is even more of a necessity in combat communications due to the physicality of the job, the high number of deployments, and the mission capability of being able to deploy anywhere in the world at anytime," said 1st Lt. Andrew Mackenzie, 3rd Herd Public Affairs representative. "The stampede (also) gives us the chance to get together with our fellow squadrons for a period of camaraderie and good-natured competition."
   Lieutenant Mackenzie said the stampede began more than 10 years ago, first as an occasional event, then as a monthly occurrence.
   On Halloween, runners gathered at the 3rd Herd complex at 6:50 a.m. for roll call. Calisthenics and stretching began 10 minutes later and runners started the run after reveille. Nearly 30 minutes later after weaving through base housing, they finished at the 3rd Herd complex.
   Planning for each month's stampede rotates between the 3rd Herd's five squadrons. The 33rd Combat Communications Squadron organized the Halloween run.