Fitness and the power of an idea Published June 12, 2009 By Lt. Col. Heather Knight 4th Space Launch Squadron commander VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It all started with a simple e-mail in the 4th Space Launch Squadron here November 2008: "Would anyone be interested in ...?" The subject was a five-mile "Mud Run" in Big Sur, Calif. Little did that master sergeant know that 10 people in the squadron would be interested in forming two teams and participating in the challenge at Big Sur in March. The race, in its fourth year, involved some 1,600 participants mostly civilian, but there were also many military members from all branches of service. Although there were some exceptional athletes, the vast majority of participants were clearly there for a fun challenge and, in most cases, a team-building event. For the members of the 4th SLS who participated, Big Sur was a huge hit! While still dripping in mud from head to toe at the finish, we began talking about competing in other similar Mud Run races we had seen advertised. It didn't take long, however, before we started talking about the feasibility of doing a Mud Run at Vandenberg. After all, there are 99,000 acres on our base! Master Sgt. "Duke" Dutkevitch, the one who rallied the squadron in the first place, began fleshing out ideas and checking initial feasibility. Other members of the base community had also participated at Big Sur and were equally enthusiastic. He made the linkage of using such an event to bolster fitness (Year of Leadership theme for June) and a warrior ethos (Year of Leadership theme for July). It was no surprise that a strong fitness advocate like our current wing commander would eagerly embrace the idea and want to make this challenge a major 30th Space Wing and base event. As momentum has been building for the base's inaugural Mud Run June 30, the response from units around the wing has been inspiring. A planning committee of base volunteers and functional experts from Vandenberg's Fitness Center, the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, safety, public affairs, legal office, etc., has worked hard to pull off an event as large in scope as Big Sur with less than two months of lead time. Units have stepped up their physical training sessions to get everyone ready for what is sure to be a signature event at Vandenberg. Even those who might not be so thrilled with the prospect of running five miles through mud pits and challenge stations can recognize the positive impact an event like this can have on fitness. After completing the run, everyone should also walk away with a strong sense of accomplishment and a little taste of warrior ethos. In addition to these benefits, my biggest take away has been the power of an idea. It began with a master sergeant sending out a routine e-mail in a bid to do something fun and build camaraderie within a squadron. He not only had the motivation to see it through but the leadership to help bring it to all of VAFB as well. From top to bottom, the success of the Air Force hinges upon the ideas of its Airmen. Let the power of your good ideas shape YOUR Air Force!