Flight line fitness center fosters “Fit to Fight” Airmen concept

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  As members of the military, fitness is one of the key facets of our lives. Usually around 5 p.m., the Benko fitness center on base is packed with people running, cycling, playing basketball and lifting weights. It's a welcome sight to see lots of Airmen who care about their health and want to maintain their activity level.

For most Airmen, their jobs hours allow them to get to the gym at a reasonable time. Some though, work late or overnights shifts that don't coincide with normal business hours, sometimes making it difficult for those Airmen to get a good workout in. For those Airmen, especially maintainers, there is a gym located on the flight line that is ideal for them.

"The great thing about this gym is the convenience," said Staff Sgt. Robert McDonough, the 355Th AMXS unit fitness program manager. "Anyone with a flight line badge can use the gym, but it's mostly for maintainers and it keeps them from having an excuse for not working out. They can't say that they don't have time to work out, because they have a gym right here."

Unlike the Benko or Haeffner gyms where you need to be in some kind of PT gear, the flight line gym does not have a uniform regulation, someone could work out in ABU's and combat boots in they wanted, and they do.

"If a maintainer's jet is in the air, or when they have a break from work, they can come in and get a quick workout," Sergeant McDonough said. "I've seen a few people come in here for ten or fifteen minutes at a time and even if you just do that every day, you can still stay in shape."

Also unlike the Benko or Haeffner gym, the flight line gym can pretty much stay open all day. As long as there is a superintendent on the flight line, Airmen can use the gym. Superintendents are also the ones that lock up the gym as well.

The gym is very impressive and could easily be one of the largest gyms located on a flight line and with more equipment on the way, such as treadmills, it has everything someone would need to get a good workout.

"We have three gyms on D-M," Sergeant McDonough said. "People don't have an excuse not to workout. I think D-M's pretty good fitness-wise; people just need to take advantage of the facilities."