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Airmen carve paths for resilient lives

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho --  Having knowledge that consists of learning how to survive in the wilderness against all odds, you learn a thing or two about making your own path. Using those skills to embody our Air Force resiliency culture, mixed in with some family fun time, makes the bond that much stronger.

"Our goal is to build trust between military members and the local communities as well as include our families in the team building process," said Master Sgt. Matthew Canoy, 22nd Training Squadron flight chief. "This event is not only a key aspect of resiliency, but also a key component of our commitment as members of the Profession of Arms"

Members from the 22nd TRS and SERE Solutions Inc. headed to the hills with family and friends to carve new trails in Western Idaho. This initiative was organized and created by Canoy and members of the 22nd TRS Alpha flight. It is something they hope catches on and is passed along.

"Our spouses and children at times do not get the opportunities we do, and it is important to try and bring them into the fold as much as possible," said Canoy. Alpha Flight Blue Squad's plan is to support the Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation with trail maintenance. Our duties of the day consist of cleaning trails of debris, building new hiking trails, closing trails that are illegally produced and building and repairing bridges"

A team of roughly 30 volunteers embarked on a two day team building and resiliency experience. This project started with the help of Monte McCuooy, Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation trails coordinator.

"We purchased this land last year and a lot of it was donated to us," said McCuooy. "This last year, we decided we needed to build trails on Tubbs Hill. We really don't have anybody able to do the work, so the work these Airmen are doing is amazing and adds great value to our trails."

The trails systems are used by nearly half a million people each year. Tubbs Hill includes over 120 acres that is bordering Lake Coeur d'Alene. Within seven hours, Alpha Flight and members of SERE Solutions cleared downed trees, rocks, removed vandalism, re-aligning and cleared nearly two miles of trail.

"It was our pleasure to be able to get out there and help our community, and it was also great having a chance to fix up trails so that other outdoor enthusiasts can share their love for the woods as we do," said Airman 1st Class Peter Ryan, 22nd TRS SERE Specialist. "It also gave us the chance to grow even stronger as a team by working together, putting in the effort and getting the job done. Everyone in the community is always so supportive of the military and it's the least we can do to give back to the people that support us so much."

After a lengthy day out on the trial, Alpha Flight packed up their shovels and axes to call it a day. Their rendezvous point was about 45 minutes south at a campground where they would spend the night. They met up with their families, friends and other members of their flight to spend the night setting up tents, sharing stories and building relationships under the stars. In the morning, they packed up their site and headed towards the Hiawatha Trail.

"As a newly assigned member, I got the chance to go biking as a flight on the Hiawatha Trail," said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Mauser 22nd TRS S.E.R.E Specialist. "It was a great way to get our families together and meet each other. We were able to bond as a flight and make good lasting memories."

During these two days, they were given the chance for a positive effect of being able to recover and grow together in the ever changing demands of today's Air Force.

"This was such a wonderful experience for me, not just getting to ride down the trail with so much fascinating history, but also getting the privilege to get to meet a lot of the flight members and their families and girlfriends," said Tawny Gerber, 22nd TRS spouse. "It was so neat getting to watching them all interact with each other and work together so well, as families to make this trail a very fun experience for all who came along."

These types of engagements help teams grow together and learn a little more about each other by being able to get away from the everyday stressors of work and home life to come together as an Air Force family.