Air Force Trials for Wounded Warriors Begins in Nevada

By Richard Salomon Air Force Personnel Center

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018 — More than 125 wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women have trained and practiced for months in their chosen sports in preparation for the Air Force Trials held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

The Air Force Trials start today and conclude March 2.

Promoting Mental, Physical Well-Being

The Air Force Trials is an adaptive and resiliency sports event designed to promote the mental and physical well-being of the participants. The sports events include wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, air pistol and rifle shooting, rowing, archery, cycling and powerlifting.

More than 40 wounded warriors from the U.S. Army, Great Britain and Australia will also be among the competitors at Nellis. The Air Force athletes will be vying for a spot on the Air Force team that will compete at the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games in June at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Many of these courageous men and women have overcome significant hardships to take part in these trials, so we are committed to honoring and supporting them as they strive to achieve their personal best,” said Marsha Gonzales, Air Force’s Personnel Center Warrior Care Support Branch chief. “These adaptive sports events serve as a powerful recovery tool and help the participants build confidence, camaraderie and resiliency as they continue on the road to recovery.”

Workshops

In addition to the sporting events, the athletes will also have access to music and comedy workshops and will be provided massage, chiropractic and physical therapy as well as other holistic healing services.

The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program hosts six CARE events a year in six different U.S. regions. CARE events provide recovering service members, veterans and their caregivers personalized service through caregiver support training, adaptive sports and resiliency programs, a mentorship workshop and employment readiness skills training.

The program is administered by the Air Force’s Personnel Center, and includes recovery care coordinators, nonmedical care managers and other professionals who work with wounded warriors, their families and caregivers to help guide them through various day-to-day challenges.