MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- A fierce battle of wills and competitive spirit raged during the 101 Days of Summer Unit Challenge Field Meet at Riseley Field, Aug. 14, 2013.
Five Marine Corps Base Hawaii units competed against each other in multiple events, like jousting, 100-yard dash, tire flip, tug of war, volleyball, horseshoes and big trike race. Some of the events, like volleyball, lasted throughout the morning.
The five competing units were Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Headquarters Battalion, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 51, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367. Some of the units were broken up into multiple teams.
Neil Morgan, the Health Promotion Office coordinator, said there were approximately 120 people in attendance.
“This event is in its third year,” Morgan said. “It’s a great way for units to earn points for the 101 Days of Summer (campaign), which will go toward the main cash prize for (a unit’s) discretionary funds.”
Each unit’s teams displayed winning determination in all the events, but the teams of HMLA-367 dominated throughout the day, winning six of the seven first place awards at the end of the field meet.
Lance Cpl. Robert King, a radar technician with MCAS and native of Blaine, Wash., said out of all the events, he was looking forward to playing volleyball the most.
“Sometimes my shop will play volleyball together, so I thought it would be fun playing at this event,” King said. “I think events like this help shops get to know each other, so it’s a good bonding experience. Spending time together outside of work like this encourages good working relationships.”
Contestants competed in the big trike race by wearing beer goggles and maneuvering their way through cones on a large tricycle. The goggles, which were provided by the Substance Abuse Counseling Center, showed how difficult it is to operate even a scooter when under the influence.
Lance Cpl. Mohamad Hanino, a communications technician with MCAS and native of Houma, La., said his team didn’t win but he still enjoyed the event.
“I think it would be great if our families could come out and participate,” Hanino said. “It’s a great way to spend time together and builds unit camaraderie.”
The jousting event was held inside of an inflatable bouncy house and the competitors used pugil sticks to bring each other down. Contestants were divided into gender and weight categories for the fight.
Morgan said the field meet is a good way for MCB Hawaii’s units to compete against each other.
“This event is a good addition to 101 Days of Summer,” Morgan said. “It’s usually held toward the end of summer and it’s a fun, multi-disciplined activity. It also focuses on alcohol reduction and drug prevention. The field meet gives Marines and sailors the chance to do something fun besides going to Waikiki.”