Sports stars shine at Hurlburt Field

Published Feb. 27, 2009
By 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Hurlburt Field, Fla. -- "You all are the real heroes," said 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and current Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow to a crowd of roughly 150.

"People say I am their hero for playing the silly game of football. But military members truly deserve the praise."

Tim Tebow headlined a recent base tour aimed at strengthening Airmen morale. He was joined by fellow University of Florida Heisman-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel as well as professional golfer Boo Weekley Feb. 20.

Upon entering the gymnasium, the group was met by a raucous crowd led by Col. Mark Johnson, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group commander. He introduced the athletes and thanked them for visiting the base.

Following Colonel Johnson's remarks, each of the distinguished guests individually thanked the Airmen with a small speech. The two football players of the group entertained the crowd with a question and answer session. Several lucky Hurlburt Field Commandos were given the chance to catch footballs tossed into the crowd by Tebow and Wuerrfel after correctly answering impromptu questions posed by the athletes.

As part of the tour, the athletes were given a tour of the new Special Tactics and Training Squadron's facilities. Maj. Chris Larkin, STTS commander, briefed the gentlemen on some Air Force-specific training methods his squadron uses to produce world-class athletes training to be Air Force Special Operators.

The athletes also took a tour of a C-130 gunship from the 4th Special Operations Squadron.

Mr. Weekley, an avid hunter and outdoorsman from Milton, FL, dreamed of the benefits the gunship could bring to him in his outdoor pursuits.

"I bet you could get a deer pretty easily with this thing," Mr. Weekley said. "You may have to lead him a little bit, but you'd get 'em."

The athletes were treated to lunch with several annual award nominees and finished off their day flying in the gunship and CV-22 simulators operated by the 19th Special Operations Squadron.

"The visit today was great for Team Hurlburt for a couple of reasons," Colonel Johnson said. "First, it gave us the opportunity to show three world-class athletes and their families a little about the mission we do every day and about how teamwork is so important in achieving our mission. Second, it was an opportunity for our community to hear from several prominent public figures just how strongly they feel about the importance of military service and how relevant military service is to our country."

"On behalf of the 1st Special Operations Wing, I would like to say thank you to these athletes for visiting us and thanks to all the members of Team Hurlburt for the outstanding work they do all the time," the colonel said.