An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

Chiefs outlast the Eagles

  • Published
  • By Erin Blauvelt
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE --  In a hard-fought game, with a final score of 14-13, the Chiefs earned bragging rights against the Eagles on July 22 on field 4 by the base chapel. 

In what is typically an annual game, the Chiefs, the highest ranking Enlisted Airmen, played the Eagles, the base's ranking Officers. This year, however, the annual game played at the base's MatchUp picnic on July 3 was too close for either team to be content. The Chiefs came back after being down by 6 runs to beat the Eagles by 2. Chief Master Sergeant Gillette, 305th Air Mobility Wing Command Chief, described Tuesday's game as a rematch. "We've come out stronger, and ready to seal it up quicker," he said. 

The Chief's victory was neither quick nor easy though. The Eagles came with a plan of their own. "To keep 'em in check, we've recruited some heavy hitters--some 'Cadet Colonels,'" said Colonel Balan Ayyar, 305th Air Mobility Wing Commander. The Eagles played with three United States Air Force Academy Cadets on their team. 

The five-inning game started with Chief Gillette up to bat with Lieutenant Colonel Donald Cole, 305th Medical Support Squadron Commander, pitching. In the first inning, the Chiefs scored two runs, while the Eagles remained scoreless. 

During the second inning the Eagles kicked up their performance, and both teams scored three runs. In the third, the Eagles were able to tie up the score with consecutive hard hit balls, scoring five runs against the Chief's three. 

At this point, Col. Ayyar changed the Eagles' game plan, declaring "One base at a time! Let's win this!" Still, the fourth inning left the Eagles behind by one. And a fifth inning brought each team only one run, leaving the Eagles with a second disappointing loss. 

Not counting the loss as the final indicator of athletic superiority, Lt. Col. Cole described the game as a "good start for the chiefs. We had to give them some confidence, but as we look to the next game, they'll feel the wrath of the Eagles." 

The Chiefs were not feeling any wrath on Tuesday though. Chief Master Sergeant Juan Muniz, AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron Superintendent, said of his team, "When you're the best, you just don't mess with the rest." On the team's second victory of the year, Chief Gillette added, "There is no substitute for experience."