Combatives academy gives hard hitting training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Formerly known as Geronimo Gym, the newly renovated $1 million Arctic Warrior Combatives Academy, located in building 802 on the Richardson side of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, officially opened Jan. 12.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk along with Brig. Gen. Raymond Palumbo, U.S. Army of Alaska commanding general, and Col. Robert Evans , 673d Air Base Wing commander, were on hand to cut the ribbon for the event.

During the ceremony Palumbo spoke to his Soldiers in attendance telling them, "One of the things I want to make sure we're doing is providing our Soldiers with facilities like this," he said. "That provides Soldiers the ability to train."

Also during the ceremony Sherk was presented a plaque and combat knife from the command for attending the event.

After cutting the ribbon, Sherk stayed around to sign autographs and take pictures with Soldiers who were in attendance.

"I try to work with the military as much as I can," Sherk said.

The new combatives academy allows Soldiers and Airmen a place to come work out in a number of ways, from the free weights, punching bags, indoor track, boxing ring and an area to practice combatives.

Some changes to larger and nicer locker rooms were part of the renovation process.
Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Pledger, AWCA chief of training, said there are more changes scheduled to come as well to include a new room where Soldiers and Airmen can practice close quarters combat.

Pledger said, the rules of engagement are always changing in the field, so this area will be a good place for service members to come and practice different scenarios that they may encounter overseas.

Changes to what was originally an empty warehouse began around 2004, but last year things really picked up to make this an official combatives academy and it seems as if the Soldiers and Airmen really appreciate, Pledger said.

"The Soldiers that are using the facility are really enjoying it, it gives them a way to burn off excess energy (and) helps build confidence," he said.

The AWCA is open Mondays through Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed weekends.