BLAZE 56 pulls together junior, senior enlisted members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Junior and senior enlisted Airmen got together to hit the bowling lanes March 24 at the Strike Zone Lanes.

Junior Enlisted Airman bowled for free with chief master sergeants and first sergeants from across the wing in a gathering set up by the BLAZE 56 to let the Airmen talk and ask each other questions in a relaxed environment.

"It's a really good opportunity for Airmen to see chiefs and first sergeants in an informal setting to let them know they're human too, while having fun," said Tech. Sgt. Renee Olviel, president of the BLAZE 56.

Chief Master Sgt. Zefrem Smith, 14th Flying Training Wing command chief, said he was very pleased with the support both commanders and supervisors gave by allowing their Airmen to attend the event.

"I really hope Airmen go back to their supervisors and thank them for letting them come out," said Chief Smith.

The event, which BLAZE 56 had been planning since last year, finally reached fruition once mission requirements allowed said Sergeant Olviel. The professional organization persevered through a combination of inspections, organizers deploying, and changes of leadership to pull off the event.

"I'm hoping this will be one of many events where we can get together and celebrate on another as an enlisted force," said Chief Smith. "For once I wasn't really thinking a whole lot about command chief stuff, I was just thinking about enjoying my fellow airmen and that's good."