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JTF-B adds sports day win to Army birthday celebration

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
  • Joint Task Force-Bravo public affairs
The third time was a charm for members of Joint Task Force-Bravo, as they took first place overall for the first time in three years at the Joint Task Force-Bravo Sports Day here June 13.

On a day when the base celebrated the Army's 232nd birthday, JTF-Bravo athletes competed against their Honduran counterparts in basketball, swimming, softball, volleyball, soccer and a 4x400 relay race, winning all but the volleyball competition.

"It was a great day," said Lt. Col. Howard Jones, JTF-Bravo deputy commander. "It was a multi-service celebration of 232 years of Army tradition. We share the same values and are working hard to build on the already strong U.S., Honduran relationship."

With more than 200 participants and even more spectators, pulling of an event like this took a lot of coordination and cooperation, said Capt. Sanjoy Malhotra, Joint Operations Center operations officer and event coordinator.

"We had a great group of individuals setting up their particular events, making sure things went smoothly," he said. "I feel blessed to have been a part of this event."

According to Staff Sgt. Enrique Castro, Joint Security Forces liaison officer and swimming event coordinator, while the JTF-Bravo team won a majority of the events, the competition was fierce.

"We had some pretty tight races," said Sergeant Castro. "I was really impressed with the swimmer from the Honduran navy. He was the only participant from his service and he competed in all the races."

The final event ended in dramatic fashion, as the final soccer game came down to a shootout between the JTF-Bravo team and the Honduran Air Force. JTF-Bravo goalie Senior Airman Bryan Hoover made a diving save to clinch the game.

At the awards ceremony following the game, individual team and overall winners were announced. As Colonel Jones held up the cup for overall champions he was warned that next year the Honduran teams would be back to reclaim it.