Eight teams advance to crud tournament finals


***image1***The 435th Services Squadron, the Airlift/Tanker Association and the Order of Daedalians teamed up Aug. 29 to host the first round of the annual KMC Crud Tourn-ament at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.  Fourteen teams competed in group-play format for the chance to advance to the finals to be held Oct. 3, where they will play for the exalted title: “2008 KMC Crud Champions.” 

Only the most daring organizations entered the fight as teams competed from the 86th Airlift Wing Staff, 603rd Air Operations Center, 435th Mission Support Group, 435th Medical Group, 435th Civil Engineer Group, 86th Air and Space Communications Group,  86th Operations Group, 435th Communications Squadron, 76th Airlift Squadron and 37th Airlift Squadron. Special thanks to the 435th Services Squadron and officers’ club staff for donating food and beverages, which added to player, referee and spectator enjoyment.

The evening began with the unveiling of a new wall display inside the Ramstein Officers’ Club “Wings” Lounge. The display is dedicated to the men and women of the Berlin Airlift, with a special tribute to Col. Gail Halvorsen, widely known to the citizens of Berlin as the “Candy Bomber.”

What followed was an intense night of high-spirited and fun competition, fought by players with warlike monikers such as “Hammer,” “Rojo,” and “Flogger.”  The refs kept the games at level which ensured skill and finesse were the most valuable assets.

The eight triumphant teams advancing to the finals are the 603rd AOC, the 435th CEG, the 86th ACOMG, the 86th OG, the 76th AS, the 435th CS, the 37th AS and the 86th OSS.

Teams from the 76th AS and 435th CEG made it through the evening undefeated in three matches, making them the early favorites to make it to the championship match.

The Oct. 3 double-elimination final event will take place at the Ramstein Officers’ Club. The $500 cash award donated by ATA and Daedalians will be shared amongst the top three teams, as well as numerous prizes from the 435th Services Squadron. The club will provide free food and a cash bar. Don’t miss the sporting event of the season, where the area’s most skilled competitors will battle for bragging rights as the “Best Crud Team” in the KMC.

(Courtesy of the 86th Operations Group)