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National-level athletes drive 377th LRS

  • Published
  • By Capt. Morgan J. O’Brien III
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Athletes competing in the national championships of their events or on the U.S. national team in international competition are few and far between—thus affirming their elite status.

In an impressive occurrence, the 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron here boasts three of these elite athletes.

“I think a lot of that is just happenstance,” said Major Bull Ternus, commander of the LRS here and the current national master’s super heavyweight weightlifting champ. “I’m a big believer that sports and athletics play a role in your ability to perform as an officer and I think athletes tend to view things more seriously which I want to promote as much as possible.” 

Among the decorated athletes gracing the LRS include 2nd Lt. Lisa Duncan—who recently represented the Air Force in the Armed Forces Cross Country Championships, occurring concurrently with the USA Track and Field Winter Cross Country National Championships—and 1st Lt. Janay Lake—who recently represented the U.S. team in an international rugby competition against Canada.

“Athletics is an important part of the whole unit concept, and is important to me as it calls for the unit to be physically fit, relies on teamwork and builds esprit d’ corps,” said Lt. Col. Kellie Davila-Martinez, the deployed commander of the 377th LRS currently supporting the Global War on Terror in Southwest Asia. “In addition, it’s an enabler to force readiness.” 

Kirtland’s LRS boasts one of the highest ops tempos of any of the units on base, consistently sending five to seven people overseas to fill deployment positions worldwide. Allowing athletes opportunities to participate in these events further taxes the unit, but the squadron’s leadership believes in the value of supporting these events. 

“Unless it absolutely interferes with mission and we can’t somehow cover down, if someone comes to me with a form (Air Force Form 303, request for USAF specialized sports training) I am going to sign it,” said Major Ternus. 

This approach has not gone unnoticed by squadron members.

“Major Ternus is awesome,” said Lieutenant Duncan, Vehicle Operations assistant flight commander. “It’s great to have a commander that supports us doing national events and helps us pursue our individual goals.” 

Major Ternus teaches Kirtland’s combat skills course, a first-of-its-kind training, intended to prepare Kirtland personnel with an orientation to the rigors they can expect in deployed positions—and he sees a clear tie between success in sports and success on the battlefield. 

“I’ve really seen it help Janay with her combat skills,” said Major Ternus. “I think she has really begun to grasp the challenges of working under pressure and it’s worth it.”

The athletic prowess of LRS personnel isn’t limited to the national stage.

“Our performance is becoming a source of pride throughout the unit,” said Major Ternus. “We are beating the bushes among our Airmen—even guys that aren’t necessarily superstars—to get some of these guys to sports camps.”

The LRS is beginning to buy into this, and the competitive juices are starting to flow around the unit. 

“I think our athletic performance is awesome,” said 2nd Lt. Chris Martagon, officer in charge of cargo movement who is a defenseman on the base’s club hockey team. “One, we’re part of a family, and we’re proud of each other and want everyone to do well. Second, their success breeds competition, and it’s good fun between everyone to challenge each other.” 

In order to best prepare for that competition, training plays a vital role. 

“Sports teach you discipline,” said Lieutenant Duncan. “If you asked me two years ago if I thought I would wake up at 4:15 to train, I’d laugh in your face. I’ve had to learn time management.” 

With this discipline comes an air of professionalism, another key aspect the LRS athletes show, choosing to let their actions do the talking and leaving the braggadocio to less refined athletes. 

“Everybody’s super quiet about their performances, we don’t really talk about it,” said Lieutenant Lake, vehicle management flight commander. “What’s obvious is that we have such a supportive squadron of quiet professionals focused on taking care of each other and getting the mission accomplished.” 

The athletes see a clear and easy tie between their prowess on the fields of play and preparing for the battlefield—and vice versa.

“When you’re in a race, depending on how long it is, that last mile can be tough and our military training helps us keep going,” said Lieutenant Duncan.

On top of the benefit of learning teamwork, dedication and persistence, the athletes agreed that Air Force pride plays a role in their devotion to sports.

“I don’t think that anyone that gets their bell rung by Lieutenant Janay or checked into the boards by Lieutenant Martagon thinks the Air Force is weak,” said Major Ternus. 

The LRS looks to continue to excel in future endeavors, and continues to cultivate a climate conducive to doing so. 

“We’re a family and a family looks out for one another,” said Major Ternus. “So long as sports help us accomplish our goals, they’ll be a point of emphasis in this unit.”