Deployed service members get dirty for CFC

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Krystie Martinez
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Fifty-six service members climbed a high wall, slid through a mud pit and low-crawled their way through a strenuous 3.1-mile obstacle course in Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 27, in support of the Air Force-wide Combined Federal Campaign fundraising initiative.

The Transit Center's 5/6 Council hosted the "Filthy 5K," a six-part obstacle course, created with the intention of raising at least a couple hundred dollars for a CFC-supported charity called the United Healthcare Children's Foundation.

The UHCCF provides medical grants to families who have children with medical needs not covered by their commercial health benefit plan. The council was thrilled when the donations were double their expectations.

Staff Sgt. Steven Wittwer, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services crew chief and member of the 5/6 Council, organized the event.

"I am very thankful that I was able to support CFC and raise money for a great cause," said the Clinton, Ark., native, deployed from Hurlburt Field, Fla. "I was expecting to raise around $250, but was very surprised when we were able to raise $455."

In return the council added to the amount raised to total $735, which furthered the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's CFC fundraising goal of $50,000.

Participants, including Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, were excited to be a part of an event which offered a workout and an opportunity to help others. Eighteen teams of two and 20 individuals, competed in the "Filthy 5K." While the individual competitors were aiming for the finish, after the first obstacle the teams of two were taken aback when they had some extra weight added to their load.

Staff Sgt. Ryin Rader, 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator dispatcher, was one-half of a two-person team.

"It's definitely challenging especially when they surprise you after the first obstacle with a 25-pound sandbag," said the Keyser, W.Va., native, deployed from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. "If they're [5/6 council] going to put on an awesome volunteer thing like this, then I'm willing to put down some money."