LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Langley will host its second annual Junior Enlisted Appreciation Day June 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the sports complex across from the enlisted club.
The event, which serves as a token of appreciation for the dedication of Langley Airmen, is a joint effort among the Langley Top 3, ACC Top 3, 480th Top 3, Langley Chiefs' Group, First Sergeants' Association, Langley Civic Leaders Association and R.K. Toyota.
"Every day, on top of their demanding jobs, we ask Airmen to be ready so we are prepared to go anywhere in the world, to support any mission in the world, at any time. And every day, these amazing Airmen step up to the plate and deliver grand slams," said Chief Master Sgt. James MacKinley, 1st Fighter Wing command chief.
The event will begin with a barbecue, where base and community leaders will serve food for the Airmen grades E-1 through E-6.
"We have identified this event as a significant opportunity to say thank you to the members of the Air Force who provide the foundation in support of the Air Force mission, and are the pool from which leaders of tomorrow will rise," said Steve Mallon, vice president of the Langley Civic Leader's Association and Junior Enlisted Appreciation Day volunteer.
Other activities include Velcro wall jumping, sumo wrestling, a bungee challenge, music from "Rhythm in Blue," sneak peeks at the new enlisted club, door prizes and much more.
"It will be an honor to spend face-to-face time with our junior enlisted to let them know how much we truly appreciate them and all they do for this great Air Force, while having a lot of fun at the same time," said Chief MacKinley.
Airmen in grades E-1 to E-6 should see their first sergeant for free meal and door prize tickets. Supervisors in grades E-7 through E-9 are welcome; however, meal tickets cost one dollar.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
--11 a.m. - Welcome; food service and live DJ begin at softball fields
--11:30 a.m. - activities, games and events begin; door prizes every 30 minutes
--Noon - Softball pick-up challenge - junior enlisted vs. chiefs and first sergeants
--1 p.m. - 1st FW leadership welcome
- JEAD Airman presentation
- ACC "Rhythm in Blue" performance
- Volleyball tournament begins
--1:30 - Kickball pick-up challenge - junior enlisted vs. chiefs and first sergeants
--2 p.m. - Enlisted club tour (sneak peek walk through), sandbag horseshoe tournament begins (pairs)
--2:30 p.m. - Tug of war challenge - junior enlisted vs. chiefs and first sergeants
--3 p.m. - Enlisted club tour (sneak peek walk through)
--3:30 p.m. - Volleyball pick-up challenge - tournament winners vs. chiefs and first sergeants
--4:30 p.m. - Final announcements, grand prize drawing
--5 p.m. - End
SHUTTLE SCHEDULE
Buses begin at 10:30 a.m. and will shuttle Airmen to the ball fields across from the enlisted club from the following locations:
-- Dorm 40 (Building 15 side parking lot)
-- 37 Elm St. / Building 25
-- 23 Sweeney Blvd. / Building 330 (commanders' entrance)
-- 65 Sweeney Blvd. / Building 355 (bus stop behind commissary)
-- Dental Clinic
-- 1st Fighter Wing Arches (corner of Danforth Avenue)
-- 200 Danforth Ave. / Hangar 753 (on Danforth Avenue)
204 Dodd Blvd. / Building 602 (across street from Air Combat Command Headquarters)