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Mighty Ninety missileer hopes for hat trick in Air Force and Armed Forces Golf Championships

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jason Wiese
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  A professional athlete is slated to represent the Mighty Ninety in the Air Force Golf Championship Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

"I've been competing for two years on the professional level," said1st Lt. Thomas Whitney, 319th Missile Squadron deputy combat crew commander.

If Whitney finishes in the top six in the Air Force Golf Championship, he will move on to compete in the Armed Forces championship at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., he said.

As the two-year reigning champion for both championships, Whitney is confident he will be a top finisher in both, he added.

Top finishers of the Armed Forces championship can compete in the Conseil International du Sport Militaire Golf Championship, which will also be held at NAS Jacksonville. The CISM is a series of sporting events in which military members from several countries compete, Whitney said.

The past two years, the CISM golf championship has not been held due to political reasons, so, despite winning the Armed Forces Golf Championship, Whitney has yet to compete in the CISM, he explained.

"I'll get to represent not only the 319th, but also F. E. Warren and eventually the U.S. military when I get to the CISM Golf Championship," he said.

Not only will he represent the Air Force, he will help spread the Air Force message and have an opportunity inform people about the 90th Missile Wing's mission.

"People ask him what he does in the Air Force, and he gets to talk about his mission as a missileer, providing strategic nuclear deterrence," said Lt. Col. Catherine Barrington, 319th MS commander. "It's an opportunity to educate people about what we do."

In order to stay on top of his golf game, Whitney practices during his down time. He also competes in intramural golf tournaments and local competitions whenever possible, but he takes leave when they interfere with times he would normally be on duty, he said.

Lt. Col. David Martinson, 90th Operations Group deputy commander, was commander of the 319th MS when Whitney first arrived at F. E. Warren, and he allowed Whitney to take time to compete for the Air Force, Whitney said.

"Our main priority is accomplishing the mission of the wing," Martinson said. "However, I realized his talents were unique and beneficial to the Air Force, not just himself."

"The main reason is it's good for the Air Force," added Barrington. "A lot of people in the 319th are proud, and we wish him good luck and hope he does well in the upcoming championships."