Wolfpack Soldiers use sports to stay in shape during Afghanistan deployment

by Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Wright
82nd CAB PAO

	photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Wright/82nd CAB PAO Spc. Andre Comacho, a mechanic with 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment (Task Force Wolfpack) throws a pass during a unit football game in southern Afghanistan.

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Three nights a week a few Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force Wolfpack punch their way through the evening in the corner of a dark tent.

“We’ve been doing this for about a month out here,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Baker, TF Wolfpack’s Apache helicopter maintenance supervisor and boxing coach. “(I wanted) to provide an outlet for stress.”

In the very back corner of an Army tent filled with mattresses and bed frames, a small space has been transformed into a boxing gym. Three black mats pull duty as a boxing ring and since there is no electricity wired in yet, the only light comes from the flashlights Baker hangs inside the tent. It’s hot, it’s dark and the space is small, but Baker and his group of eager would-be boxers don’t seem to mind.

“This is a great, fun way to get some amazing cardio,” said Sgt. Meagan Young, one of Baker’s students. “I have been able to stay fit and the coach really pushes us.”

Right now, the group is using some of Baker’s gear he’s accumulated over the years, but he says they will soon be getting some new stuff from the battalion. Baker boxed competitively at battalion and post-level while stationed in Baumholder, Germany from 1993 to 1995, but has since hung up his competitive boxing gloves. He gets his punches in now by training others.
“I have coached and trained people for over sixteen years,” said Baker, “ranging from aerobic training to preparation for competition.

“Ultimately, my goal is to provide an outlet for stress that develops in a combat environment. Also, it serves as a tool for discipline creating parameters for the Soldiers to work within,” Baker said.

With temperatures resting comfortably in the triple digits, it’s easy to hesitate about exercising outside. The dirt is better described as powder; the dust kicked up from the ground hangs in the air for excruciatingly long periods of time. There’s no beating it, just accepting it. Wolfpack Soldiers seem to have embraced it. They not only work in it all day long, but some days in the evening hours, they play in it.

The aptly named Dust Bowl is a pick up football game with slack rules and a lot of laughs. Pilots, crew chiefs, mechanics, and even the battalion leadership get together and toss the ball around for awhile, creating their own little sandstorm in the process.

“I think this game is pretty good,” said Sgt. Roderick Stallworth, a mechanic with TF Wolfpack. “The camaraderie is way better here than other units I’ve been to,” he said.

“It’s great for morale. Getting dirty is just part of the fun,” said Spc. Andre Comacho, another Wolfpack mechanic.

“Someone once told me you could be as lazy as you want on deployments,” added Young. “To have an outlet that builds self-confidence, self-esteem, and keeps you physically fit is a big plus.”