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Hurlburt Airmen selected for All-Air Force softball team

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Two Hurlburt Commandos dutifully represented the wing as players on the all-Air Force slow-pitch softball team at the recent all-services tournament in Pensacola.

The duo, Capt. Bill "Mamo" Mamourieh, 1st Special Operations Wing executive officer, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Bast, 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, were part of an all-Air Force squad that participated in the annual event. The tournament consisted of teams from across the nation and was only open to teams comprised of military members from the same service. 

The all-Air Force team earned a silver medal for their efforts, ultimately losing by a small margin to the all-Army team. 

The players believe that the benefits of the tournament are multi-faceted. 

"First and foremost, [the tournament] benefits the Air Force, because if you get selected, it is such a morale booster," Captain Mamourieh said. "The guys who play on the team benefit recruiting, because when the team plays other non-military teams it is used as a recreational tool to increase interest in the Air Force." 

Sergeant Bast agreed. "The greatest benefit of playing on the Air Force team is I get to represent the United States Air Force!" he said enthusiastically. He also listed getting to meet and create close relationships and bonds with other people, both inside and outside the Air Force, as another benefit to the tournament. 

"[Without the tournament] I probably never would have met these members," he said.
 
The competitive selection process for the team begins with a form listing softball-related accomplishments and achievements. The package is submitted to the Services department of the Air Force Personnel Center, who gives the information to the Air Force softball coach. The coach then sifts through the thousands of applications and ultimately selects 26 people to attend a formal tryout session held at Eglin AFB. From those 26 people, a team of 15 is selected to play in the tournament. 

"It is an honor just to be selected" Captain Mamourieh said, noting that there are only about 200 players to ever play on the all-Air Force team. "Even if you are not ultimately selected, you are still pushing the other players to achieve success, and that makes you feel proud." 

Captain Mamourieh had the distinction of being the only officer on this year's team. 

"From an officer's standpoint, we are extremely limited on time that we are able to do this," he said. "So for those who are able to participate, it is truly an honor."

Softball was not a new sport to either individual before their entrance into the Air Force. 

Captain Mamourieh, an outfielder/infielder, played college baseball at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania while Sergeant Bast, a first and third baseman as well as an outfielder, played at both Pensacola Junior College and Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Sergeant Bast also understands how difficult it is to be selected and to be able to clear his schedule to play in the tournament. 

"It is hard to put into words how I feel representing the USAF," he said. "I have been fortunate enough to be a member for the Air Force team for three years straight now. Each and every time I am thankful for everyone who has allowed me the opportunity to participate, such as my commander and my co-workers."

After the tournament ended, it is back to work as usual for these Airmen. 

Captain Mamourieh has resumed his normal duties as wing executive officer while Sergeant Bast, a munitions storage crew chief  is busily preparing for his upcoming deployment. 

However, no matter how busy they may get, the experience of being able to play in the tournament is one that will not soon be erased from their memories, Captain Mamourieh said. 

"It is an absolute honor to be able to represent the 1st Special Operations Wing as well as represent the entire Air Force."