It always seems impossible until it's done: 12th AF Airmen Conquer Hard Charge

by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

4/2/2014 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz.  -- A team comprised of the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Airmen and their civilian counter parts recently boosted morale by participating in the Hard Charge Televised Obstacle Mission held at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, 29 March.

According to the Hard Charge website, the purpose of the event was to raise both money and awareness for the Children's Miracle Network Hospital which has been assisting local children and their families for the past 30 years.

Climbing, crawling and sprinting were a few of the many ways the members from 12th Air Force  (Air Forces Southern) Airmen trekked though the rigorous 37-obstacle course.

"This course was very difficult and often it pushed me to my limits both physically and mentally where I felt like I wanted to give up, but in the back of my mind I just kept telling myself, "I will not falter and I will not fail," and that, with the thought of not letting my co-workers down pushed me to continue on," said Tech Sgt. Linda Hodgson, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Personnel Programs manager.

Before the event, the team figured out what they were getting themselves in to and decided that proper planning is the key to success. They searched for a training regimen that would ensure they were able to successfully take on the obstacle course.

"We often trained twice a day, three times a week, focusing mainly on cardio and strength training while also doing some cross fit. I think one of the important things to our planning was seeing the different obstacles on the Hard Charge website and figuring out where each of us would have challenges and then focusing on those areas," said John Viray, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Contingency Plans and Operations chief  .

Though training as a team proved to be very helpful, it also let the members evaluate each other's abilities.

"Training as a team is very important because it not only lets my team members know my strengths and what I bring to the team, but it also lets me know what theirs are as well, while also keying me in on areas where I may have to be there to help motivate my team mates," said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Beaudoin, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Contingency Plans and Operations superintendent.

Despite all of the rigorous training, at certain portions of the course, team members wanted to give up, but persevered and all completed the course as a team.

"Once the race was over and done with, it was all worth it to go through such adverse times and stick together as a team to reach our goal, which was an amazing feeling. I think that this will definitely roll over in the work environment where we may face obstacles and need to attack them as one cohesive unit," said Capt. Yvonne Nollmann, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) section commander.

According to the Hard Charge website, they have raised a total of $4.7 billion dollars.

Editor's note: This is part two of a series on athletes in 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern).