Minot flag at Olympics

From left, Ciar, Eimile and Caitlin Colgan, daughters of former Olympic rower and American300 guest speaker Sean Colgan, hold an American flag once flown over a Missile Alert Facility at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. The 91st Missile Wing gave the flag to Colgan. Ciar, Eimile and Caitlin, were in London with their father during the Olympics. (Photo by Sean Colgan)

Rowing Challenge

Staff Sgt. Jarrod White, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron missile maintenance instructor, joins a member of the Royal Air Force's rowing team on the River Thames during his trip to London he earned by winning the Air Force Global Strike American300 Rowing Challenge. To win the challenge, White rowed a total of 981 miles on an indoor rowing machine that was later presented to the RAF as part of the Challenge during the trip. While rowing with members of the RAF, White participated in a form of rowing known as "skulling," where participants compete in teams of two, using two paddles. (courtesy photo)

Piece of AFGSC travels to London

Published Aug. 14, 2012
By Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- As part of the Command's 'Never Quit Series,' former Olympic rower Sean Colgan visited Air Force Global Strike bases in April to help promote the American300 'Never Quit' Rowing Challenge and interact with Striker Airmen.

During his visit to Minot AFB, N.D., Colgan traveled to a 91st Missile Wing missile alert facility to visit Airmen posted in the missile field. Upon returning home, Colgan wrote to the 91st MW and requested a specific token from the missile field that he'd visited. The 91st MW obliged by flying an American flag over the MAF and presenting it to Colgan. The former Olympian then carried it with him to the Olympic Games in London, where he used it to cheer on American athletes.

Global Strike had an additional presence in Great Britain during the Olympic buzz when Staff Sgt. Jarrod White, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron missile maintenance instructor, traveled to London last month as the winner of the Command's Rowing Challenge.

During his visit, White was able to row with the Royal Air Force rowing team on the Thames River and had the opportunity to help present them with five Concept 2 rowing machines used by AFGSC Airmen for the April competition.

"I really wanted to go to London and experience this," White said. "It was definitely worth the effort, and I would love to go back, I got to meet some great people in the RAF and British Army. Everyone was very nice - stand-up individuals."

The American300 'Never Quit Series' continues to challenge AFGSC Airmen throughout the summer with the 'Do Something Amazing Outdoors Challenge,' where the three most compelling stories of summer activities will win an all-expense paid trip, courtesy of American300, to the 2012 Baja 1000; an off-road race showcasing various types of vehicles including motorcycles, buggies and trucks.

"Bottom line - we're addressing concerning statistics of increased risk behaviors and actions among our Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hornback, command chief, AFGSC. "The 'Never Quit' series is designed to create a forum between resilient individuals who have a story to tell and our Airmen in hopes that different perspectives provide food for thought of how to overcome challenges or adversity."