Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, May 14, 2021

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Follow AFRS teams up with Thunderbirds to fly UFC champion

my lead by Master Sgt. Chance Babin
Nellis AFB, Nev.

The Air Force Recruiting Service recently teamed
up with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to fly Forrest
Griffin, a former UFC champion and member of the
UFC Hall of Fame.
“The UFC and its fighters are huge supporters of
by Senior Airman Andrew J. Alvarado the military and have a very strong presence on social
Ramstein AB, Germany media,” said Master Sgt. Daniel Bedford, AFRS national
events program manager. “We sponsor UFC with a
“What type of parent do I want to be?” is the special focus on Special Warfare, a very difficult area
question many of us face when approaching the to recruit. UFC and Special Warfare share many of the
prospect of parenthood. I believe the answer to this same characteristics.”
question is found in the answer to another question: Since the UFC has a sizable social media following —
“What kind of child am I hoping to raise?” 28 million on Facebook, 17.7 million on Instagram, 8.1 Air Force photograph
My wife and I have two sons who are five years million on YouTube and 7.3 million on Twitter — flying Former UFC champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Forrest
old and 11 months old. As we raise our children, I’ve Griffin provided a chance to share his experience with Griffin, sits in the back seat of an F-16 Fighting Falcon upon
come to realize that when we better ourselves, they the Air Force to a large audience. takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 23, 2021. Air Force
also reap the benefits of our reflection and growth. For Griffin, getting to fly with the Thunderbirds was Recruiting Service recently teamed up with the U.S. Air
Many facets of being a military parent mirror the a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, to
values we hold as a society. Professionally and so- “The flight was amazing,” Griffin said. “People fly Griffin and share the experience and the Air Force with
cially, there is a framework built by the community probably noticed that I used the word ‘amazing’ about his large UFC audience.
which defines how to conduct ourselves successfully. 30 times immediately after I got on the ground. I can
I want my two sons to embrace open communica- honestly say flying with the Thunderbirds was one of
tion, use discernment when the best decision isn’t Air Force photograph the most incredible things I’ve ever done in my life, and
always obvious, practice empathy, forgive quickly, I’m honored to have shared as much time as I have with
infuse their life with love and maintain the un- stand what someone is feeling and what they are around us. Being a military parent is one of the most the men and women of the Air Force.”
shakeable mindset of a life-long student who never enduring based on their perspective of life’s joys difficult, yet most rewarding jobs in the world. For While the flight definitely impressed Griffin, he was
plateaus in their endeavors. Together, these values and trials. I believe this is one of the hallmarks of this reason, I use love to help me navigate parent- equally impressed with the Airmen he had the chance
form a foundation upon which I hope to see their great leadership. As a parent with authority, I can hood’s many obstacles and difficulties. I find love to to interact with as he trained for his time in the air.
personalities and strengths grow. lovingly guide my child towards recognizing how be the purest motivator and fortifier for everything “Those Airmen have to be perfect every day because
Maintaining open communication is key for to process the world around them in a healthy way. I can do as a husband, father, Airman, and friend. I one missing bolt or one miscalculation of fuel can get
any functional relationship. As my wife and I try For example, if my oldest son is struggling in school, hope my children use love to propel them forward someone killed … and, oh by the way, also destroy a $30
to model through action what open and honest we can acknowledge an area of weakness and build in the service of others, while simultaneously taking million aircraft,” he said. “I can’t imagine how much Air Force photograph by Master Sgt. Chance Babin
communication should look like, our kids will also on it. However, meeting him where he is emotion- care of themselves. intelligence and concentration this takes. The other Master Sgt. John Maher, 414th Combat Training
observe and understand. We realize we’ll be the ally and explaining how we can imagine what he is Becoming a life-long student of wisdom and thing that impressed me is their ability to communicate Squadron Red Flag section chief, trains former
first influence on how they respect others, their going through builds trust between us. I hope my knowledge means accepting that we’ll never “ar- as a team and work with other people from all over the UFC champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Forrest
loved ones and themselves. Striving to remain ap- children use empathy to connect with the experi- rive.” I refuse to plateau in the mastery of my craft, country with very different backgrounds.” Griffin, emergency parachute techniques prior to
proachable and honest with each other provides ences of those around them. education and hobbies because there is always Before Griffin became a champion in the UFC’s his flight with the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration
our children with a model for how to help others Forgiveness is the ability to move on from a hurt something to improve. I teach my sons how to em- octagon, he was a police officer in Augusta, Ga., so he Squadron, the Thunderbirds, at Nellis Air Force
gravitate towards their own character. I hope my or offense for the purpose of growth, healing and brace learning as an endless pursuit by positively knows a thing or two about service. Base, Nev., April 23, 2021.
children enrich their communication with others progress in life. As my wife and I practice forgive- reinforcing what they know with praise and reward. “Forrest is an ambassador for the UFC,” said Master Air Force photograph by Master Sgt. Chance Babin
through trustworthiness and affability. ness with each other, we communicate to our sons However, as a parent, I try to present them with new Sgt. Michael Guhr, AFRS national advertising branch Former UFC champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Forrest 9.1 Gs, did all of our rolling maneuvers, flew inverted
Understanding when to challenge ideas, seek how holding onto a grudge or the idea of revenge challenges and information they didn’t previously superintendent. “He is an individual who had a career Griffin, is fitted with a helmet prior to flying with the U.S. and did a little bit of a low-level out there, and he just
compromise or follow direction is a balancing act is ultimately a distraction or hindrance to living have access to. I hope my children always strive to path and was working as a police officer. He decided not Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, did a great job.”
based on discernment. When I make a decision on life purposefully. As we forgive ourselves or others better themselves by learning more about any given once but twice to take a detour with his life and take a at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 23, 2021. For AFRS and the Thunderbirds, recruiting is a
anything, I communicate to my children how dis- alone, we promote healing and a healthy acceptance endeavor. chance in the octagon. He earned his way and is now a shared mission. Markzon realized the potential of an
cernment is making the best choice when there are of what we’ve experienced. As we forgive others in- There’s only so much I can do to help my children hall of famer. I feel this epitomizes many Airmen who Griffin currently serves as the vice president of ath- event like flying a UFC fighter.
multiple solutions to a problem. Couples obviously person or through other means of communication, live a life of meaning and purpose. I’ve come to start on one path, notice something is missing, and take lete development at the UFC Performance Institute, “The mission of the Thunderbirds is to recruit, retain
have more leeway in this regard, but children also we allow vulnerability to strengthen our resolve accept that the biggest responsibility I have to my a chance and decide to serve their country in the Air where he works with top-flight athletes. and inspire,” he said. “Part of that mission is to intro-
gain a strong understanding of how to communi- to push forward in life. I hope my children forgive children is setting a good example to follow and al- Force. Many have found a great deal of success and have “I deal with world-class athletes every day who have duce folks to the Air Force, the Thunderbirds and the
cate with others through our example. I hope my quickly, while learning from the mistakes of others lowing unconditional love to be their refuge for the fulfilled goals they never thought possible.” amazing physical and mental toughness,” he said. “But military in general. UFC is a big company with a wide
children learn when to choose what is “great” over and themselves. years to come. As I live out these principles, I live “I truly believe the Air Force is a great career,” Grif- the combination of mental and physical fortitude re- reach around the world, so to fly someone like Forrest
what is “good enough” through discernment. Love selflessly uses the qualities previously men- out the best version of parenthood I could ever gift fin said. “Not only will you get the discipline and skills quired to control these aircraft under such intense phys- in one of our jets gives us an immeasurable amount of
Empathy is the ability to emotionally under- tioned through words and action when serving those to them ... because they are a gift to me. that come with any military position, but you get the ical strain is hard to conceive. The Gs (G-force) kicked recruiting opportunities.”
technical and technology skills that are becoming more my butt. I can’t imagine having to pilot the aircraft while “The professionalism of the Thunderbirds is always
important for employers.” under that physical stress. I went straight to work after second to none,” Guhr said. “It is easy to see how a VIP
Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number Griffin has collaborated with the military throughout the flight, laid my head down on my desk for about an like Forrest Griffin would be excited for this oppor-
published by Aerotech News and Review, a private Review of the products or services advertised. of a person to contact must be included in the event his career. AFRS recently filmed a production with UFC hour and then accepted that I was too exhausted to get tunity, but it’s also important to note how excited the
firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. Everything advertised in the publication shall be questions arise. and Special Warfare at the UFC Athletic Performance anything done, went home and laid in bed.” Thunderbirds were to host such a great American for
Contents of Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition made available for purchase and use of patronage All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity
Desert Lightning News Staff are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national and conformity to the AP Style Guide, to include Center in Las Vegas. Griffin was a big part of that pro- The person who helped kick Griffin’s butt was Thun- the day. His infectious smile and graciousness with his
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review by, Aerotech News and Review, the U.S. government, origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political military ranks and proper writing etiquette. duction as a moderator and a participant. derbird pilot, Maj. Jason Markzon. time was a true morale booster for the Airmen in the
Stuart Ibberson, Editor the Department of Defense or the Department of the affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the Corrections: Desert Lightning News staff “I’m always excited to get there and play the part of “Flying with Forrest was awesome,” Markzon said. Thunderbirds. From the time he arrived to the time he
Tinna Sellie, Editorial Layout members strive for accurac y each week .
Sandy Bueltel, Advertising Sales Air Force. purchaser, user or patron. If you notice an error in fact, contact the Desert being in the Air Force,” he said. “I’m always left with “I really didn’t expect anything less from a retired UFC departed, he was met with smiles and laughter as well
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CONtACt: editorial staff at 334-718-3509 including inserts and supplements, does not constitute Lightning News is no later than Monday, 4:30 p.m., how impressive the men and women are who do this fighter. A big guy like that knows a lot about pain and as an excitement to show what they do. These Airmen
For editorial staff: e-mail editor@aerotechnews.com an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the the week of desired publication date. editor@aerotechnews.com, and we will consider every day.” punishment, but he did awesome in the jet. We pulled are true professionals.”
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