834th shows sports pride

The love of sports is one trait that is not left behind on deployment for many Soldiers of the 834th Aviation Support Battalion.  Soldiers enjoy being actively involved in sports and cheering on home sports teams while on deployment.  For many it brings a little piece of home to them.  Activities such as softball and floor hockey help to keep morale high in the Battalion and give Soldiers something to look forward to.  Taking pride in home sports teams is seen in many ways by the Soldiers.  Team flags and other memorabilia are proudly displayed in the work areas as well as the chow hall and housing areas.  Many fun rivalries between states and teams give Soldiers a chance to cheer on and support their favorite sports and teams. 

Much of the 834th ASB works out of a double Hardened Aircraft Shelter (HAS).  Hanging proudly from its ceiling for everyone and surrounding units to see are state, professional and college team flags which represent Soldiers and unit backgrounds.  Outside the HAS are many flagpoles with even more sports flags to emphasize where many of us are from and who we root for. The most predominant teams cheered for are from the four main states that make up the Battalion; Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.  Teams like the MN Wild and Vikings, Iowa Hawkeyes, OU Sooners, and WV Mountaineers are just a few examples. 

As well as cheering for home teams many Soldiers want to participate in some of their favorite activities.  Sports leagues are formed here at Joint Base Balad, Iraq for Soldiers to give them something fun to do and create team cohesion and morale building activities.  Softball leagues have welcomed many Soldiers and most recently floor hockey.  Weekend tournaments offer a fun alternative for Soldiers to get out and enjoy themselves with friends, other units, Air Force personnel and other civilian workers stationed at JBB. 

Recently a 3-on-3 floor hockey tournament took place in which many Soldiers participated.  At the event, Soldiers interacted with surrounding units, Air Force and civilians.  The tournament was such a success that the next one is in the works and is scheduled to take place within a few months.   

By Spc Nolan Kohlrusch,
B Co., 834th ASB Unit Public Affairs Representative
15 Jan., 2009