AO: The Ridge
When: 07/21/2022
Number of Pax: 15
DR Names:
Number of FNGS: 0
FNG Names:
QIC: Squidward
Introduction
15 PAX enrolled in Top Gun Academy (TGA) this morning to compete with the “best of the best” and to sharpen their flight skills. Flight conditions were outstanding, with temps hovering in high-60’s to low-70’s and sky conditions were favorable for the men to take flight!
We took the highway to the danger zone, learned the importance of never leaving your wingman while hitting the beach volleyball court, worked on our dogfighting skills as we took a flight around the AO, did some catapult carrier deck launches, and wrapped up with some suicide sprints on the deck of USS THE RIDGE!
Warm-O-Rama
- Good mornings/nights (8)
- Daisy pickers (10)
- Cross-body arm stretches (10 count)
- OH arm pulls (10 count)
- Motivators (from 6) <– this tied into the entire theme for the BC
- Calf stretches OYO
The Thang
After WoR, moseyed the flight formation over to designated location for Thang 1 and Thang 2.
Thang 1 (Sortie flights – Theme: NEVER LEAVE YOUR WINGMAN!)
PAX divided up into groups of 4 aircraft. While playing the songs “Playing with the Boys” & “Through the Fire” flight of two (from the group of 4) ran from point A (home base), across the sand v-ball court and up a slight hill to point B (engagement area) where they then completed iterations of Merkins, Big Boys, and Carolina Drydocks. The other two aircraft remained at home base doing SSH or squats. Once flight of two returned, the teams swapped. As the thang progressed, changed up the engagement area exercise as noted above. Continued until the completion of the two songs.
Thang 2 (Top Gun school induction)
While playing the song “Highway to the Danger Zone” PAX held plank until the chorus, then executed Frog SUs (hat tip to Navy SEALs) during the “Highway to the DZ” chorus. Mixed in high/low planks and shoulder taps for variety. Repeated these moves until the song ended.
Thang 3 (formation flight and engagement maneuvers)
Assembled flight into a single column of 15 aircraft. Instructed PAX that during the engagement maneuver (last man up run), they should fly (run) 5ft behind the aircraft in front of them. Launched each set of aircraft individually (carrier launch style with salutes and all) instructing the lead aircraft to maintain a nice easy mosey until the formation was completely formed. Once in flight, the last PAX in each column dropped out of formation and completed 5 merkins. Once complete, those last aircraft flew their way to the front of the formation flight, ensuring that he maneuvered his aircraft by buzzing the tower of each PAX in the last man up formation (weaving in and out). Bumped some tunes while we were in flight to add some excitement to the thang!
Thang 4 (carrier launches) aka sprints
Launched PAX in teams of two from point A to point B.
Thang 5 carrier deck suicides
No explanation needed.
Circle of Trust
CoT entirely focused on challenging each of us to find their “why” in F3. It can’t stop as just the work out’s…
If you’re only living in the first F, look for 2nd and 3rd F opportunities. We’ve got plenty in our region alone: Adopt-A-Highway clean up this weekend, food pantry every week, attend a QSOURCE, do something – be creative, find something that you’re passionate about and start whatever that is – FREED TO LEAD brothers!!!
Naked Man Moleskin
As I’m working my way around to Q in every AO, I’m thoroughly enjoying getting to know men I don’t see very often in person; I see them on BB-FOMOs, but that’s not the same. I appreciated Ditka making the trek up to The Ridge with me today – he even commented that we should EH some of our 3R/TW brothers who regularly post to try to join us once a week (or even every other week) on a trip “north” in the region so that they can experience this as well. Amen to that, I’m all in!