Airmen live it up during Whitefish retreat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Airmen from Malmstrom Air Force Base had the opportunity to attend a weekend-long retreat at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Mont., On Sept. 27 through 29, put on by the base chapel.

"I had a great time," said Senior Airman David Blunk, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron member. "I recently moved to the United States from Italy and this trip gave me the opportunity to connect with fellow Airmen and enjoy some of the fun activities that Montana has to offer."

Retreat attendees were able to zip-line down several different courses on Big Mountain and mountain-bike from the top of the mountain, more than 7,000 feet high, to the bottom.

"It was definitely a fun experience," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Omije, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron heating ventilation and air conditioning technician. "The activities we had the chance to do were awesome and the time we spent together as a group was also helpful."

Over the course of the weekend, Airmen had the chance to gather as a group and talk with one another about past relationship experiences and ways to foster a good relationship their significant other, friends and family. The reoccurring theme of the retreat was "How to avoid falling for a jerk or jerkette."

Ch. (Capt.) Robert Mohr, 341st Missile Wing chaplain, spent time with the Airmen to get their perspective on relationships and offer advice. During their time together, several Airmen shared their stories with the group and offered different perspectives on the topic.

"This weekend was a great opportunity to bond with younger Airmen," said Mohr. "We have 21 of us who attended this retreat, which had time for some fun mountain-biking and zip-lining. however, we also spent some meaningful time exploring our relationships. We used the curriculum from the 'How to avoid falling for a jerk or jerkette,' course and gave the Airmen some good tools to examine current and future relationships."

In a poll taken at the end of the weekend, 100 percent of the Airmen who attended said they would recommend a retreat like this to a friend, and every single Airman also noted that he or she benefited in some way over the weekend.

"We would not have been able to accomplish this if it had not been for the help of some very special Airmen," said Staff Sgt. Katelyn Kuehl, 341st Missile Wing chapel program support NCO in charge. "I would like to thank them for everything they did in helping us put on this event for everyone. This weekend was a great success and I'm glad I was able to spend time with these Airmen."

An anonymous quote from one of the Airmen surveyed.

"I came away from this with a much needed and affordable escape, but also learned and walked away with new knowledge about myself and tools I can use in future relationships. This was a good weekend."