Strengthening alliances in the paint

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Victoria H. Taylor
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Kunsan Air Base’s intramural basketball season marked the first time members of the Republic of Korea Air Force participated in the Wolf Pack’s unit versus unit competition.

A rule change within U.S. Air Force intramural sports guidance that now allows for other nationalities to participate as long as they are assigned to the base. The Wolf Pack’s ROKAF partners took advantage of that change.

“This season we had eight teams participating in the league,” said Staff Sgt. Dayne Griffiths, 8th Force Support Squadron sports coordinator. “Intramural Sports Program is a competitive intra-squadron competition that has positive impact on unit esprit de corps as well as fitness and health,”

Intramural sports of all kinds, not just basketball, are commonly found on military bases world-wide and use friendly competition as a way to bring service members together.

“I received a lot of positive feedback from the other teams and coaches and they’ve really enjoyed having the ROKAF Airmen play in the league this year,” said Griffiths.

In the U.S. the sport of basketball is widely played, but in South Korea it’s not as popular. Some ROKAF players anticipated being at a disadvantage when playing their American counterparts.

“It’s a tough sport,” said a ROKAF Airman assigned to Kunsan Air Base. “Many of the U.S. Air Force players have been playing since they were kids and most of us are still just learning the sport, but I’m still having fun and loving the experience.”

Even though they may be opponents on the court, Airmen from both countries agree the game of basketball helps them build upon an already “rock-hard” alliance.

“Everyone involved has been stating that it would be a good idea to have them participate in more intramural sports,” said Griffiths. “I’ve deemed this basketball season a complete success and in turn will be reaching out again in hopes of more ROKAF members participating in our volleyball season come this April.”