Hurlburt Airmen bring home gold, silver from armed forces tournament

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Whitney
  • 1st SPecial Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Two Hurlburt Airmen recently returned to work with silver and gold medals for the Air Force after participating in the Armed Forces Indoor and Beach Volleyball Tournament that took place May 3-11 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Krooner, 342nd Training Squadron Detachment 3 Tactical Air Control Party instructor, and Senior Airman T.J. Read, 1st Special Operations Dental Squadron oral hygiene technician, both participated in the tournament, which pitted teams from each service of the Armed Forces against each other.

"The level of competition and talent was better than I've ever played with or against and I learned a ton," said Sergeant Krooner. "The inter-service rivalry created an intensity level that was fun to be a part of and it was great to feel like I was representing the Air Force."

Both Airmen participated on separate beach volleyball teams, in which Airman Read's team won a silver medal for a second place finish, with a record of 4-1. During the indoor volleyball tournament, the Hurlburt Airmen worked together with others from across the Air Force to bring home the gold, with a final record of 5-1.

Both losses came from the U.S. Navy team, who won gold in beach volleyball and silver during indoor volleyball.

Beach volleyball consists of 2 vs. 2 on a smaller sand court, compared to the hardwood floors of the 6 vs. 6 matches of indoor volleyball.

"It was a challenge competing in both sports," said Airman Read. "Practicing beach volleyball in the morning and then turning around and practicing indoor volleyball in the afternoon, in my opinion, was like the difference between a boxer and mixed martial artists; the objective is similar, but the training, the surface, and playing style is very different."

Sergeant Krooner, who has been playing volleyball recreationally since high school, relied on much of the physical conditioning and training he encounters day-to-day while instructing TACP candidates. Airman Read trained by implementing a daily workout routine, as well as playing beach volleyball along the beaches of Florida.

After the Air Force won the gold and silver medals, service members were selected from the team to represent the Armed Forces in the USA Volleyball National Championships, and to represent the United States Armed Forces in the 5th World Military Games, taking place in 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Although the tournament was a good experience, both Sergeant Krooner and Airman Read opted to return to Hurlburt Field, but said they look forward to trying out for next year's competition, mission permitting.

"So much hard work, pain and stress went in to creating a successful team this year, and it paid off," said Airman Read. "I wish we would have had more time to develop as a team [during the 29-day tournament], but I can't wait to see how the team comes together next year."