Superheroes descend at dining out
By Tech. Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
/ Published April 19, 2016
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Having been in the Air Force for approximately one-and-a-half years, Airman 1st Class Adrian Jacob Ordonez has only participated in a few military traditions. The 50th Comptroller Squadron Airman's expectation for the 2016 50th Mission Support Group Combat Dining Out included food, rules and grog.
He dressed up in a combination of Marvel character Deadpool and his Airman Battle Uniform. However, he forgot to bring his water guns. Big mistake. Big.
"I got shot during the water gun fight. Good thing I brought my parka," Ordonez said. "As a first timer, the event was pretty good. It was a fun night."
More than 140 50 MSG, Wing Staff Agency, Colorado Springs Regional Command Post, civic and family members attended the dining out at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, April 15.
With a superhero theme, attendees dressed up in a combination of military uniforms of any era and superheroes, such as Batman, Superman, Spiderman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They also brought their water guns, foam dart guns and water balloons for some water fight action.
"Could not be more pleased with the event -- it was just the right blend of esprit de corps, good-natured humor, and competitive spirit all done in a safe, respectful, and exceptionally messy environment. Simply put, it was controlled chaos at its finest," said Col. Jason Janaros, 50 MSG commander and the mess president.
Janaros thanked the MSG ambassadors who led the event including Senior Airman Oceana Goodsell, Senior Airman Alexandrea Maxey, 2nd Lt. Sarah D'Alessandro, Tech. Sgt. Jeremey Hazelwonder, Airman Michael Gibson and Chief Master Sgt. Tamara Olson. He also gave his appreciation to Chief Master Sgt. Jared Klingaman, 50th Security Forces Squadron, for being the keynote speaker.
"It was difficult to plan this type of event. I have never been to a combat dining out or seen one, so planning one was a challenge," Goodsell said.
However, together with volunteers from various MSG squadrons, they made the event happen. Specifically, the coordinators wanted to highlight the 50th Logistics Readiness Flight for opening its doors for the indoor event and helping with the setup and teardown.
"The volunteers we have were extremely vital to the success of the event," Goodsell said.
Senior Airman Derek Guedes, 50th Contracting Squadron, has only appreciation and good words for the event coordinators. Since he has attended a dining out at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, before, he already had some expectations about the event here.
"I think they did a great job. I don't think I could have done it any better. It was really on point," he said. "It lived up to my expectations."
Guedes brought his girlfriend to the event. She was not entirely familiar with the military tradition.
"First thing through the door, she wore a chem gear and did low crawl. She had a fun time with that," he said. "The water gun fight all came out. We had a great time. It was my kind of thing."
Goodsell said if given the opportunity, they would host another combat dining out next year, but should plan for an outdoor event during a warmer weather and may include the whole wing.
"Our intent is for the combat dining out to be a morale event and bring various squadrons together. You work with these people every day but you don't really spend that much time together. This was a great way to get to know each other better," she said.