Teamwork crucial at AFCEA Challenge

***image1***The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association hosted its second annual KMC Communications and Information Sports’ Day Sept. 5 at Ramstein’s Southside Fitness Center.

All of the units who provide communication services on Ramstein were invited to attend. Among the competing units were the 1 ACOS, 1 CBCS, 1 CMXS, 2 AIRPS, 426 IOS, ACC Det 4 NOS, 435 CS, USAFE A6, 3 AF and the 603 ACOMS.

The Communicators’ Sports Day included events such as basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, racquetball, soccer, horseshoes, a rank relay race, kickball and tug-of-war. The event is hosted every year to promote camaraderie among professionals working in the communications field and provide a fun competitive atmosphere to bolster squadron morale.

The defending champions, the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, had its title stripped by the narrowest margin possible by the 435th Communications Squadron, also known as “King Comm.” The heated contest by the two largest communications squadrons came down to the wire, where the ACC Det 4 NOS held 1 CBCS in the final event from taking first place yet again, placing the 435th Communications Squadron one point in front, giving them the coveted “Gold Tron” trophy. 

The other notable winner for the day was the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron who, with unmatched enthusiasm, accepted the “Bit Bucket” trophy. The recipient of this dented trash can is “the squadron who did the most with the least.” The real purpose of the “Bit Bucket” is to offset the advantage that larger communications units have in this contest due to their ability to overwhelm brackets with contestants.

The day started off with a mild temperature and an overcast sky typical of the German summer; however the rain stayed away for the entire day, ensuring the event was a great success. The event itself was a massive undertaking, requiring months of planning and hard work from a list of people far too long to mention. 

AFCEA Chapter 158 is a vital part of the communication and information fields in the KMC and was founded in 1976. Its current president is Col. Tina Harvey, and its vice president is Col. Jim Foley. Having been in the KMC for 32 years, Chapter 158 has a long history of providing a key element both in the community and in the career fields in which it has tapped its resources. The chapter contributes more than $20,000 in scholarships to the community on a yearly basis. 

For details on AFCEA, visit http://kaiserslautern.afceachapter.org/index.asp.