U.S. Paralympic team to train at Kadena

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  More than 100 U.S. Paralympic athletes and support staff from the track and field and swim teams will live and train at Kadena Aug. 24 through Sept. 2 in preparation for the 2008 Paralympic Games held in Beijing, China. 

"This is an enormous opportunity for Kadena to host the team," said Capt. Rachel House, 18th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Flight commander and Paralympic project officer. "The U.S. Olympic Committee chose Kadena as a training venue in preparation for the Paralympic Games due to the base's close proximity to China. They determined we would be a great location for the team to get acclimated to the weather and continue to train before heading to Beijing."

More than 18 sporting events make up the Paralympic Games which are held every four years following the Olympic Games for athletes with physical, mental and sensorial disabilities. Among the athletes representing the United States are four Army veterans and a Navy Sailor who is still on active-duty status.

According to the U.S. Paralympics website, the USOC Paralympic Military Program provides post-rehabilitation support and mentoring to American servicemen and women who've sustained physical injuries. Veterans are introduced to adaptive sport techniques and opportunities through clinics and camps and are also connected with ongoing Paralympic sports programs in their hometowns. 

"These are world-class athletes who have been chosen to represent the United States of America," Captain House said. "It is exciting that there are military veterans as well as active members who have made the team." 

Athletes will train at the Kadena Air Base Ryukyu Middle School pool, Risner Fitness Center and on Perimeter Road. They will also train on Camp Foster at the swimming pool and at Kubasaki High School's running track. All training areas will be open to base employees for viewing. 

"We want to make sure that people get a chance to interact with the entire team," Captain House said. "We definitely want to give our military members on the island to have a chance to hear these athletes' stories and learn from them." 

Agencies such as the force support squadron, air mobility squadron, transportation, civil engineering, medical group, Department of Defense Dependents Schools, and many other organizations are on-hand to provide these athletes with services such as living quarters, transportation to and from their training sights, accessibility to military facilities and medical support.

"This is the first time Kadena has hosted this type of event, so it takes a lot of people to ensure the outstanding service that we are known for providing," Captain House said.

This visit also opens up many volunteer opportunities to units across the services. More than 150 military volunteers are needed to drive buses, handle equipment at the training venues, load and off-load luggage as well as sponsor athletes during their stay.

"This program will be similar to the sponsorship program we have for new personnel arriving to Kadena," Captain House said. "Sponsors will be assisting with transportation during the athletes' non-training time for visits to the base exchange, mailing packages home or anything the athletes need. We want to make sure that the team is well taken care during their stay here at Kadena."