By Senior Airman Caleb House / Published September 28, 2020
Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing eat lunch together after a hike at Piancavallo, Italy, Sept. 22, 2020. The hike was used as a way to build morale and increase the resiliency of the Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb House)
Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing hike at Piancavallo, Italy, Sept. 22, 2020. The Airmen participated in a scavenger hunt hosted by Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb House)
An Airman from the 31st Fighter Wing makes their way up a hill during a scavenger hunt at Piancavallo, Italy, Sept. 22, 2020. The Airmen were required to find items and complete tasks while submitting proof through a phone application. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb House)
Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing pose for a group photo at Piancavallo, Italy, Sept. 22, 2020. The Airmen were participating in a scavenger hunt hosted by Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb House)
31st Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape hosted a scavenger hunt for Airmen.
Sixteen Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing participated in a scavenger hunt through rough terrain on a mountain designed to increase overall morale and resiliency.
Organizers designed the teams to include Airmen from different squadrons who weren’t familiar with one another, and designated the lowest-ranking member in each group as the leader.
“Teamwork improves cohesion and as the hike progresses everyone starts to bond,” said Tech. Sgt. Mike Rutland, 31st Operations Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of SERE operations.
Each team began their scavenger hunt in different locations with the same end goal to find a false rock containing an item, while accomplishing as many tasks as possible.
Using an app on their phones, the Airmen were able to scroll through required items, see how many points each item was worth, and submit photos of them finding the item.
Tasks ranged from identifying local mushrooms and wildlife to submitting socially-distanced group photos.
“I feel like the hike went well,” said Rutland. “Having the ability to see the teams interact, connect, and work together was an awesome experience.”
The teams met up again to share lunch before parting ways. Sharing stories from their hikes and Air Force careers, Airmen who may only see each other at a commander’s call formed new friendships.
“[The day’s events] show Airmen that we are not alone in our daily battles, and we always have a Wingman to our left and to our right,” said Rutland.