Page 9 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, July 2021.

8 Thunderbolt Photo Feature July 2021 9
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LEFT: Retired U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Beth Grau-
Luke AFB hosts Track and Field Training Camp May 25, at Luke
er throws a discus during the Desert Challenge
Air Force Base.

Desert ChALLenge

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Michael
Gallardo throws a javelin dur-
ing the Desert Challenge Track
and Field Training Camp May
26, at Luke Air Force Base.

LEFT: Gallardo throws a jav-
elin during the Desert Chal-
lenge Track and Field Training
Camp May 26, at Luke Air
Force Base. The Bryant Fit-
ness Center, selected by the
U.S. Paralympic division of
the U.S. Olympics, has hosted
eight training camps since
2011 for retired, former and
current military members. The
camp is an opportunity for in-
jured service members to ex-
cel after their military career.
Participants, trainers and coaches of the annual paralympic Desert Challenge Track and Field Training
Camp pose for a group photo May 27, at Luke Air Force Base. The paralympics track and field partici-
pants have competed with various countries worldwide such as China, Russia, England and Brazil.

by Airman 1st Class since the beginning and explained why he supports
DominiC Tyler these athletes.
“It’s fulfilling to be a part of the paralympic train-
56th Fighter Wing
ing program because our athletes are willing to
The Luke Air Force Base Bryant Fitness Center work so hard to compete after serving our nation,”
hosted the annual paralympic “Desert Challenge said Godina. “It’s truly inspiring to see these men
Track and Field Training Camp” May 23. and women excel after their military career. Some
The four-day training camp enabled retired, of these participants are Olympic medalist winners,
former and current military members to compete so the training is always high intensity.”
in sports and recreation events to potentially earn The paralympics track and field participants have
eligibility and compete in the U.S. Paralympic competed with various countries worldwide such as
Games. Luke’s fitness center, selected by the U.S. China, Russia, England and Brazil. This summer,
Paralympic division of the U.S. Olympics, has the athletes are training to qualify in the National
hosted eight training camps since 2011. Paralympic events in Tokyo, Japan.
“We have a duty here at the fitness center to “I love participating in these events because of
support our military members, and we have the all the people I get to meet from all over the world,”
resources to do it,” said Antonia Bazan Espinosa, said Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Gallardo, U.S.
56th Force Support Squadron assistant fitness and Paralympic athlete. “The Desert Challenge brings so
sports manager. “Some of the members did not only many people with disabilities together to share their
serve, but have paid great sacrifices supporting our stories, and show the population that no matter what
country. This is an opportunity for us at the fitness life throws at you, you can still accomplish anything.”
center to give back to the members that have given U.S. Army Lt. Col. French Pope, Secretary of
so much.” Defense Joint Staff J36 special events manager,
Espinosa said she appreciates the Airmen in the supports Paralympic athletes all over the U.S. He
56th Mission Support Group and the 56th Logistics explained why it is so important for bases like Luke
Readiness Squadron for providing lodging, transpor- to continue hosting events like the Desert Challenge.
tation and dining facilities for participants, as well “At the end of the day, it’s about leaving no man
as help from volunteers and professional training behind, whether it be active duty or veterans past Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Max Rhome throws a discus May 27, at Luke Air Force Base. The an-
from U.S. Paralympic Games coaches. their time in the service,” said Pope. “These athletes nual paralympic Desert Challenge Track and Field Training Camp, hosted by the Bryant Fitness Center, prepared
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bill Godina, track and come out to represent not only the military but the participants for the National Paralympic events in Tokyo, Japan. The four-day annual Paralympic training camp
field coach, has been a paralympic trainer for over United States by continuing to fight and showing enabled retired, former and current military members to gain an officially sanctioned result that is required for en-
15 years. Godina has been at every Desert Challenge that they will never quit.” try in the U.S. Paralympic Games. Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Pome throws a shot put May 27, at Luke Air Force Base.