Pilots soar at Armed Forces Cross Country Championships

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Pilots are accustomed to going fast in the air, but two Columbus Air Force Base pilots got their chance to prove they're also fast on the ground against military and professional runners.

Capt. Benjamin Payne, 41st Flying Training Squadron, and 2nd Lt. Ian McFarland, 14th Operations Support Squadron student pilot, and their teammates on the Air Force Cross Country Team took first place Feb. 7 at the Armed Forces Cross Country Championships in Baltimore. Their win marks the first time since 2004 Team Air Force finished before the other military services.

The annual military competition was run in conjunction with the USA Cross Country Championships, where Captain Payne placed 66th overall and Lieutenant McFarland placed 73rd overall.

Both of the BLAZE Team members have been running since high school. Captain Payne started running after being cut from the baseball team and Lieutenant McFarland used running to stay in shape for soccer. They found themselves enjoying running more than either baseball or soccer, and have been testing their skills against other runners ever since.

"One of the best things that ever happened to me was getting cut from the baseball team in 10th grade," Captain Payne said. "I wasn't happy at the time but it gave me a chance to try out for the track team that year instead and I loved running ever since. Plus, I was a horrible baseball player anyway."

After commissioning, both officers found themselves applying for the Air Force Sports Program, and were the only members from Air Education and Training Command chosen for this year's team. The program, according to its Web site, www.usafsports.com, is designed to allow active duty, Guard and Reserve Air Force personnel the opportunity to participate at Air Force, armed forces, national and international sports events.

"To get selected, I applied via an Air Force Form 303, which contained race times, experience and references," Lieutenant McFarland said. "From the entries they pick the best team they can to represent the Air Force."

Lieutenant McFarland said he's looking forward to seeing how he fares against the best the armed forces and the United States has to offer.

While this is the lieutenant's first race with the team, Captain McFarland has become an Air Force Sports veteran since his commission in 2004.

He said this is the third time he's run with the Air Force team at the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship and that it's his favorite race.

Both officers agree the race and the team is a great way to not only have fun competing but to also represent the Air Force and its Airmen.

By finishing in the top 12 at the Armed Forces Championships, Captain Payne and Lieutenant McFarland qualified to represent not only the Air Force but also their country at the 2009 Conseil International du Sport Militaire World Military Cross Country Championship Dec. 2-6 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.