COMBAT FISHING

  • Published
  • By Airman Ty-Rico Lea
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Seward fishing community showed their thanks for what U.S. troops do and the sacrifices they make by taking approximately 250 service members out May 23 for a day on the seas fishing for halibut and any other fish in season.

"I had a really great time," said Sgt. Ivan Ang, 8th Forward Surgical Team operating room noncommissioned officer. "This is actually my first time going fishing, and I'd encourage every service member to take advantage of this."

The 7th Annual Armed Services Combat Fishing Tournament took place in Seward.
Thanks to the support of the Seward Deep-Sea Charter Fleet, many local charter vessels were donated to the event and recently deployed or deploying service members, both Air Force and Army, participated.

"I've never gone halibut fishing since I've been stationed here on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Rendahl, 611th Air Communications Squadron project manager. "So I decided to take advantage of this perfect opportunity and go fishing before I deploy."

Troops boarded buses at JBER shortly after midnight and were given a police escort for the 130 miles to Seward.

"This was a great way to break away from the daily grind of work," said Spc. Joshua Bartlett of C Troop, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment. "It's nice to be with the guys that I know have my back downrange and bond."

Once they arrived, participants found their way onto the boats, which traveled more than two hours from the dock in hopes of landing plenty of fish.

Once the captains felt they reached a successful spot, it was fishing from then until the end of the day.

The Combat Fishing Tournament was created seven years ago by Keith Manternach and Bob Candopoulos as a way to give back to junior enlisted members of Alaska's military.
"It started out small the first year, taking about 70 members of our military fishing over a two-day period," said Buddy Whitt, ASYMCA associate director. "In 2007, the Armed Services YMCA became involved and the event quickly grew into what we have today."
When service members were finished fishing, they had their fish weighed, cleaned and filleted by the captains. The fish are then shipped to the YMCA on JBER and returned to the respective service member.

"This was definitely a brand-new experience for me," said Senior Airman Duquin Bradley, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel system maintainer. "I would definitely come again. Hopefully they have similar events at my next duty station."