Night out with the Hurricanes event partners base, team

by Maj. Brooke Cortez
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/7/2015 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- The 482nd Fighter Wing Reserve Recruiting Flight partnered with the University of Miami men's basketball team for a "Night out with the Hurricanes" event for military members and their families Jan. 6.

During their visit here, the basketball players ventured to the flight line to check out an F-16 static display and meet members of Team Homestead.

Col. Chris Funk, 482nd FW commander, explained the jet's avionics to the players, describing what it was like to go faster than the speed of sound. Additionally, Col. Douglas Batson, 482nd FW Maintenance Group commander, explained how the aircraft had to be fueled at different levels depending on what weapons were loaded.

The basketball players intently listened as the commanders spoke, one jokingly asked what happens when you have to go to the bathroom, and Colonel Funk explained the jet was not equipped with those services.

After pausing for a photo at the static display, the group then went to the Sam Johnson Fitness Center for an interactive 3-point shooting contest that paired skilled military members with the UM players.

Coach Jim Larrañaga led the practice session, energetically thanking the crowd for their military service and introducing the basketball team.

The practice session then transitioned to 7-foot center Tonye Jekiri assisting children from the base with dunking the ball.

The final portion of the event was a dinner at the Community Activity Center. Players, military members and their families dined together. The room buzzed with laughter as the athletes and military members swapped stories.

As the dinner and event wrapped up, Larrañaga provided insight into his leadership perspectives on how to be successful, which include embracing great attitudes, unconditional commitment and class.

"You have to have great attitude," he said. "We tell our players life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react."

He discussed the importance of making a total and unconditional commitment, saying he tells his players that to be the best you can be means making all the sacrifices necessary to work hand in hand with others, to help your teammates be the best they can be and make necessary sacrifices to be the best.

Behavior was the third element to his concept of success.

"We tell our players all the time that they represent more than just themselves," he said. "We tell them to always be first class in everything they do. Attitude, commitment and class is what we're all about."

Larrañaga then spoke about his experience at Homestead ARB.

"From my experience here today, there's no more first class organization than the Air Force," he said. "From the bottom of my heart and the basketball program and the University of Miami, thank you for a wonderful day, thank you for the experience."