SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- For
the 10th year, Air Force cyclists will take to their bikes for the Des
Moines Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. RAGBRAI XXXII will
take place July 25 through 31, covering about 500 miles through the middle
of the state.
The “Team Air Force” legacy began in 1995 when a
group of 28 active duty Air Force bicycling enthusiasts and a support crew
of three from the 343rd Recruiting Squadron and Offutt AFB, Neb., formed a
RAGBRAI team to bolster recruiting numbers in Iowa.
The original group of Air Force cyclists grew in
numbers, and in 1997, “Team Aim High” was born as a private
organization, officially recognized by the Air Force as well as the
Internal Revenue Service.
In 1998, the team comprised 80 riders and 20 support
crew. The team also received support “from the top,” when avid cyclist
and Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Sheila Widnall rode with the team for
five years, beginning in 1995. The support continued with Air Force
Secretary Whit Peters, Dr. Widnall’s successor, who rode with the team
in 2000.
Retired Lt. Col. Stu Carter has ridden in eight of
the nine past RAGBRAIs and has served as the team’s executive director.
Colonel Carter is now an Air Force civilian, working in Cairo, Egypt, with
the Air Force Security Assistance Center. The 1992 European Region Cycling
Champion for the 30-kilometer time trial and 1992 U.S. Military Champion
for the 30-kilometer time trial in his age group, stays active in the
sport with the Cairo Cycling Club.
“One of the precepts of our team is that we are
all recruiters,” said Colonel Carter. “We set a positive image all
week long -- on and off the bike -- and talk to people about the Air Force
and what we do in the Air Force.”
The first year, the team recruited 11 Iowans as a
result of RAGBRAI. And research commissioned by the Secretaries of the Air
Force shows the team has recruited dozens of Airmen people in the
following years. According to Colonel Carter, the team is responsible for
two-dozen or more Air Force recruits each year as a direct result of
participation in RAGBRAI.
“I could go on for days about the stupendous
return on investment for the Air Force. Every team member pays his or her
own way. Each brings a passion for the Air Force and cycling, each has his
or her own equipment, volunteers time to talk to hundreds of people all
week long, pays for transportation expenses, food, lodging, etc.,” said
Colonel Carter. “And, each person asks for nothing in return.”
These days, Col. Bob Norman, director of command and
control, Tanker Airlift Control Center, Scott AFB, leads the
100-plus-member Team Air Force, with a support crew of about 40.
“This is a dedicated bunch of people from bases
around the world who are on the team because they love cycling, love
adventure and love the Air Force. We’re here to put a good ‘spin’ on
recruiting,” said Colonel Norman.
Air Force Recruiting Command supports the team by
arranging for permissive temporary duty status for those eligible and
providing small promotional items to give to others throughout the ride.
Recruiters also take advantage of RAGBRAI, akin to a “rolling county
fair,” to set up displays at the overnight stops.
This year, the Commander of Air Force Recruiting
Service, Brig. Gen. Robertus C.N. “Dutch” Remkes, will lead the charge
for the team on the first day of the ride from Onawa to Lake View, rated
as one of the easiest yet most challenging stretches of the ride, with a
total elevation climb of 2,685 feet in 69 miles.
Jim Green, RAGBRAI director, said the Air Force has
made a good impression on the citizens of Iowa and on the thousands of
cyclists riding across the state.
“We really enjoy having Team Air Force with us
each year as one of the services representatives. Of course, the Air Force
(team) is the biggest,” said Mr. Green. “It’s a joy to work with the
Air Force, and the communities love them.”
This will be the 13th year Mr. Green has served as
executive director, and his 23rd year working with RAGBRAI. He said, to
him, the most memorable ride was RAGBRAI XXX, held July 2002.
“The whole ride that year was remembering 9-11 and
everything everyone did for us. The opening ceremony we had at Sioux
Center was the biggest. We had the Air Force and all the (military)
services, law enforcement and fire department teams march in. There were
10,000 to 12,000 people there at the ceremony,” said Mr. Green.
He also recalled that later in the week, four F-16s
performed a flyover over Charles City, the mid-way overnight town. “It
was the most spectacular. They flew over once, flew back over twice, then
they did the most spectacular thing where they turn and go straight up
with afterburners. Everyone was in awe,” said Mr. Green.
RAGBRAI is known as the longest, largest and oldest
touring bicycle ride in the world. Two Des Moines Register columnists
began the ride in 1973. RAGBRAI XXXII is about 490 miles through the
middle of Iowa; an optional loop adds another 24 miles. The event
officially registers 8,500 riders for the full week, and attracts
thousands more.