AFA graduation cookout

[colorado russ]

Looks like I\'ll be cooking burgers and hotdogs for a few hundred people today! Our building is right across I-25 from the Air Force Academy and their graduation is today. The Thunderbirds have been practicing the last 2 days and buzz our building with manuveurs. Since we\'re so close, all employees and families park inside our gate then we have a huge cookout.

Since the company won\'t pay for \'social activities\', we use the proceeds for offsite events later in the year. They didn\'t use to be so stingy but someone would complain about every single event - won\'t go to a bar for happy hour, place doesn\'t serve vegetarian/vegan, don\'t like to play outdoor games, etc...

I went ahead and thawed a couple pounds of ground whitetail and made 3 green chile burgers and 3 chipotle chile burgers for some fellow hunters in the building.

May try to get some pics up later today!

 

[mtnmutt]

Cool! Good luck with your fundraising event. We FINALLY have sunshine and warmer temps.

On May 8th, they raised the security from Alpha to Bravo. Initially, they did not know how they would handle graduation with the raised security level. Therefore, I thought perhaps there may be a reduced number of visitors attending the graduation.

They reopened AFA to Visitors on May 21st. Events for graduation started on May 21st.

They even closed the Sante Fe trail to non DoD cardholders which is weird since it is a public trail which starts North of AFA in Monument and goes south through CO Springs (Pikes Peak Greenway trail).

This winter, there were a couple of assaults on the trails on AFA property (not Sante Fe). In February, the commander issued an order for a mandatory buddy system for all unimproved areas and trails.

It will be loud around noon when the Thunderbirds fly again. I won\'t be able to watch

 

[colorado russ]

Few pics...[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->AFA cookout 1.jpg<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment][attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->AFA cookout 2.jpg<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

 

[colorado russ]

Couple more. Have to size a few smaller. [attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->thunderbird 4.JPG<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment] Nice break during the work day!

 

[colorado russ]

[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->thunderbird 3.JPG<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

 

[colorado russ]

[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->thunderbird 1.JPG<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment][attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->thunderbird 2.JPG<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

 

[Zpd307]

:upthumb:

 

[Swede]

Best wishes on your fund raiser. Don\'t let the complainers wear you out.

 

[bowhunter]

Looks like you had a good view......

 

[Deertick]

:upthumb: :clap:

 

[iccyman001]

Cool! Good luck with your fundraising event. We FINALLY have sunshine and warmer temps.

On May 8th, they raised the security from Alpha to Bravo. Initially, they did not know how they would handle graduation with the raised security level. Therefore, I thought perhaps there may be a reduced number of visitors attending the graduation.

They reopened AFA to Visitors on May 21st. Events for graduation started on May 21st.

They even closed the Sante Fe trail to non DoD cardholders which is weird since it is a public trail which starts North of AFA in Monument and goes south through CO Springs (Pikes Peak Greenway trail).

This winter, there were a couple of assaults on the trails on AFA property (not Sante Fe). In February, the commander issued an order for a mandatory buddy system for all unimproved areas and trails.

It will be loud around noon when the Thunderbirds fly again. I won\'t be able to watch

Do you work at the Academy?

 

[cohunter14]

Great pics Russ! Sounds like a great way to spend the afternoon. :upthumb:

 

[mtnmutt]

Russ, thank you the pictures.

Do you work at the Academy?

No.

I am a member of the Academy Archery club (800+ members) which is located at the AFA. We have 6 outdoor ranges (4 walking, 1 3D, 1 lighted static), 1 Broadhead target area). The club is open to the public and consists of 60% civilians. For the last 2-3 years, all civilian club members must obtain a DoD contractor ID to access AFA and use the South Gate which is 15 minutes from my house. For the last 2-3 years, a civilian has to become a member ($90/yr single; $130/yr family). Military may do $10 day passes at the kiosk. The AFA Archery club cadets help us with range projects & maintenance. For the Triple crown 3D tournament, the AFA does a modified security arrangement to allow outside archers to attend tournaments.

http://www.academyarcheryclub.org/

I was a member before and after the higher security procedures were implemented. It isn\'t a big deal. In a past life, I did a bit of work on military bases, therefore, I am familiar with the routine. Rarely, do I have to wait at the South Gate long to get in.

$90 is bargain to shoot year round at a 5 star Archery range located mostly in the woods. It\'s an awesome range and terrific members.

The 3D is in the woods and has a standing elk. Unfortunately, the local bear likes to destroy our 3D targets. Last August, the bear took out the standing elk and it had to be replaced this year. Occasionally, I have to wait for live mule deer to clear a target area before shooting.