Basketball players bring cheer to children, view base operations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rodney D. Ivey
  • 366 Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Members of the Idaho Stampede basketball team came out to the base Dec. 10 to gain a better understanding of base operations and to offer free tickets for the upcoming "Air Power Night" basketball game Jan. 5 in Boise.

The team is a member of the National Basketball Association's development league or D-league. The league is made up of "farm" teams that are affiliated with one or more NBA teams.

"We are affiliated with the [Portland Trailblazers] and the [Seattle Supersonics]," said Steve Brandes, General Manager and President of the Stampede.

The players' first stop was the Mountain Home AFB primary school. They talked with the students about fitness and health and a few lucky children were hoisted into the air by the players for a slam dunk.
Following lunch at the Gunfighter Club, the team hosted an autograph session and tickets for Air Power Night were handed out by Chief Master Sgt. Allen Niksich, 366th Fighter Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant.

The Air Power Night game is scheduled for Jan. 5 and will feature the Idaho Stampede versus the Bakersfield Jam. There will be a performance by the Mountain Home AFB honor guard team and the Singing Stripes. The game will also feature a halftime performance by the Methods of Movement dance team from Mountain Home High School.

The players were then given the opportunity to see an F-15C and learn about many of the aircrafts capabilities.

"Getting to see the planes was great," said Assistant Coach Guy Beach. "I had no idea fighter jets were so big."

The team was then taken on a tour of the life support sections of the fighter squadrons and shown the different equipment used by F-15 pilots such as specialized helmets and g-suits.

The players ended their day on the base at the Community Activity Center where they signed autographs for children from the Youth Center and more free tickets were handed out.

"This was all very impressive," said Cory Violette, Idaho Stampede power forward. "It gives me a sense of pride to be able to see what the Air Force does day-to-day."

"Events like this allow members of the public to see where their tax dollars go," said Chief Niksich. "It also gives them a chance to see what we do to preserve freedom."

Approximately 250 tickets for Air Power Night are still available and can be picked up from Chief Niksich at the wing headquarters building. Please call 828-6596 to ensure tickets are available.

Gunfighter Videos

ACC News

Air Force News

 

What to See More Photos? Check Them Out Here!

How to Download Photos:

The best place to download hi-res photos and videos from Mountain Home AFB is the 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs page on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
An account is required to download any photos and videos!

Another source to download hi-res photos from the Mountain Home PA is the 366th Fighter Wing Flickr Page
No account is needed to download content.

Spacer. Do not delete