LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Team XL came together on April 17 for “XL Games” and a Wing all-call to recognize first quarter accomplishments.
“XL Days” are readiness days earned each quarter by meeting the wing’s minimum pilot production goals. This quarter’s XL Day, dubbed “XL Games,” consisted of squadron vs. squadron and individual competitions, building on the culture of esprit de corps and competition across the wing in pursuit of a Warrior Mindset.
“Through our collective efforts, Team XL surpassed the wing's production and readiness goals by a large margin and hosted a successful airshow,” said Capt. Tanner Colborg, 47th FTW Commanders Action Group director. “XL Games let our Airmen step out of their daily grind, enjoy the fruits of their hard work, test their limits against one another, and forge the bonds that make us an elite team.”
XL Games featured friendly competition across the wing, where teams scored points for their squadron based on their finishing standings. The games included a Warrior Run and T-38 pull, basketball, kickball, ultimate frisbee, pickleball, archery shootout, volleyball, golf scramble and e-sports.
“The mission at Laughlin does not happen without everyone in Team XL,” said Col. Tyler Ellison, 47th Flying Training Wing commander. “All of you are essential to producing the next generation of America’s airpower and we could not reach our goals without you.”
Following the games, the Wing hosted an all-call to recognize the results and individuals and teams for exceptional first quarter performance.
First Quarter Award Winners:
Airman of the Quarter: Airman First Class Angelina Chan, 47th SFS
NCO of the Quarter: Staff Sgt. Carl Rumsey, 47th Operations Support Squadron (OSS)
SNCO of the Quarter: Master Sgt. Jacob Eckert, 47th SFS
CGO of the Quarter: Capt. Daniel Pinter, 434th FTS
FGO of the Quarter: Maj. Benjamin Rinaldi, 85th FTS
Volunteer of the Quarter: Airman First Class Natalie Chacon, 47th Communications Squadron
Civilian Category I (Supervisory): Abigail Germain, 47th STUS
Civilian Category II (Supervisory): Randall Sunderland, 47th MXD
Civilian Category III (Supervisory): Frances Kwok, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron
Civilian Category I (Non-Supervisory): Kristi Garcia, 47th Force Support Squadron
Civilian Category II (Non-Supervisory): Brian Pokrant, 47th OSS
Civilian Category III (Non-Supervisory): Alejandro Alvarado, 47th CONS
Dorm Resident of the Quarter: Airman First Class Kelsey Webb, 47th OSS
Honor Guard Member of the Quarter: Senior Airman Decarlo Ivey, 47th Comptroller Squadron
Team of the Quarter: Fiesta of Flight
XL Games Winners:
Inaugural XL Games Champion: 47th Student Squadron (STUS)
Warrior Run: 87th Flying Training Squadron (FTS)
Basketball: 47th Contracting Squadron (CONS)
Kickball: 47th Maintenance Directorate (MXD)
Ultimate Frisbee: 47th STUS
Pickleball: 47th STUS
Archery Shootout: 47th Security Forces Squadron (SFS)
Volleyball: 47th STUS
Golf Scramble: 47th STUS
e-Sports: T-38 Maintenance Team
Fiesta of Flight Planning Team:
Maj. Neal Molzon
Chief Master Sgt. Michael Nolan
Capt. Jonah Noeldner
Capt. Sebatian Coburn
Capt. Tia Massa
Master Sgt. Jacob Eckert
Capt. Matthew Kellen
1st Lt. Pranavi Sayyaparaju
Laughlin Beautification Team:
Airman First Class Jessie Worthley
XL Day provided an opportunity to reflect on the Wing’s achievements, celebrate its people, and reinforce the mission of building combat-ready Airmen, leaders and pilots.
XL Days are scheduled quarterly, in coordination with wing and group commanders, to avoid conflicts with other major events and ensure everyone can come together to celebrate high performance and wing goals.