CAF day encourages physical fitness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
Moody Air Force Base, Ga. --  Before the sun rose and as sprinkles of rain fell, the 23d Wing kicked off Comprehensive Airmen Fitness (CAF) day with a 2.3-mile run here Sept. 30.

CAF is composed of four different pillars: social, spiritual, mental and physical, and this quarter's focus was on the physical pillar.

The focus was on the physical pillar, so an excellent way to start was with a 2.3-mile run, said U.S. Air Force Col. Andra Kniep, 23d Wing vice commander. The next couple of hours were spent in small groups focusing on aerobic innovation efforts of the Airmen, talking about how to do improve life skills and become more physically fit.

Led by Kniep and Chief Master Sgt. David Kelch, 23d Wing command chief, the run began and ended at the President George W. Bush Air Park.

After Airmen completed the run, they were released back to their squadrons for small group discussions on the importance of physical fitness.

"We are defending our nation, and [therefore] maintaining combat readiness is important," said Kelch. "If you don't have a physical fitness plan to maintain your combat readiness, you're wrong."

This quarter's CAF day highlighted the physical pillar and was designed to improve the overall wellbeing of Airmen and their families.

"CAF day was designed to bring our Airmen back to the basics," said Tech. Sgt. Michelle Hnat, CAF day facilitator. "It pulled us away from our jobs into a group setting, to remind us that it's not always about the fight, the war or the mission but the person."

To enrich discussion, Kelch gave his outlook on why CAF day is so important to the Airmen and what it is ultimately designed to do.

"Things really changed a lot on Sept. 11, and none of us knows what tomorrow will bring... but what I do know is that we're going to be ready to take care of business," said Kelch. "The only reason we wear our nation's uniform ... is to defend our country."