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Some would say communication is the key to success in any team sport. So it is only natural a team made up of communication specialists would dominate the world of flag football in Europe.
Last year, the 86th Communications Squadron put together a flag football team that won the Ramstein tournament to advance to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Flag Football Championships at Camp Darby, Italy. Facing teams from all over Europe, the 86th CS, known as King Comm, battled its way to first place.
Now, they are on a mission to win it all again. Sporting a 7-1 record heading into the playoffs, they are confident, but not content.
“To be honest, our team is not satisfied with the games we have won to this point in the season,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Latimer, the coach of King Comm. “We all want to have the opportunity to defend our title as the USAFE Football Champions. In order to do that, we have to win more than a few games in the regular season. ”
The success of King Comm lies not only in the talent on the field, but also the support system off the field. Family members and team players were all introduced to each other at a team barbecue early in the season. Since then, friendships have formed and trust has been built.
“We look at it more as a football family,” Coach Latimer said. “We feel that we are more than just a team. Our family members and fans are as big a part of our success as the players on the field.”
On any given Monday or Wednesday evening when King Comm is playing, the sidelines are full of family, friends and fans cheering, but none are louder than 86th Communications Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Steven Sweeney.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” Colonel Sweeney said. “Every play, every snap is euphoric or disappointing in some way — mostly euphoric this year. Coach Latimer is a bulldog for perfect execution. Each play that we get right builds trust among our Airmen, just like in our real-world missions.”
And speaking of real-world missions, last season’s starting quarterback and USAFE tournament MVP missed the first two games of this season as he finished his deployment to Iraq.
“I knew the team was in good hands,” said Staff Sgt. Randy McGinnis. “Coach Latimer and the returning members from last year’s championship team all know what it takes to be a winning football team. They kept me well informed while I was gone. ”
And Sergeant McGinnis wasn’t let down. Upon his return, he took over a team that has a multitude of weapons and can put points on the board almost at will. Whether it be through passing the ball or running it, the team is explosive. Every player on the starting offense has scored at least once, and the defense is quick and disciplined.
Although the goal is to get back to Camp Darby, King Comm continues to focus on one game at a time. The first challenge will be the Ramstein playoffs, which begin Monday.
