JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- It’s a hot Oklahoma day, and it’s the final game in the 2026 Armed Forces Softball Championship. The men’s Air Force team is up against the Army. It has been a challenging few days leading up to this point–but U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob McDonald, representing not only the Air Force as a whole but also his home base of JBER, is sure his team has what it takes to bring home the gold.
McDonald is right. Despite fierce competition, as the sun beats down overhead and players bake in the 100-degree heat, and McDonald’s friends and family cheer him on thousands of miles away, the Air Force team secures the win as the 2026 champions.
The Armed Forces Softball Championship is an annual tournament separated into men's and women's brackets, and the 2026 event featured Army, Navy and Air Force teams. This year it was held at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from Aug. 26 through Aug. 29. The Air Force men’s team had 15 players, selected due to their sports experience, participation in military games and personal references.
For McDonald, his softball career began well before the championship. The noncommissioned officer in charge of the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron commander support staff at JBER, he used his history in competitive softball, service experience and the support from his friends and family to perform and earn his spot on this year’s team.
He said competing alongside the other branches of the Department of War provided him the opportunity to rise to the challenge and build camaraderie at the same time.
“I started playing competitive softball at my first duty station, Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, eight years ago,” said McDonald. “Getting the opportunity to represent the Air Force in the Armed Forces Softball Championship has been a goal I’ve set for myself since joining the military.”
While stationed at JBER, McDonald traveled to the Lower 48 often to participate in civilian and military tournaments. In doing so, he gained valuable training, experience, and recognition from other players and coaches.
“This was the first year I got the opportunity to put in an application package, and it was everything I imagined it would be,” he said.
McDonald’s softball and operational experience allowed him to quickly adapt to his new team and work together towards a common goal. Throughout his time at the tournament, he built camaraderie not only with his teammates but also with his competition.
“It goes from not knowing each other to ending up being brothers and feeling like family,” said McDonald.
The men’s Air Force team went into the final championship games with a record of five wins and one loss. In the finals, the Air Force faced the Army and came out victorious with a score of 33-18.
While McDonald had his team to rely on at the championship, he also had those back home to cheer him on.
“They're very supportive and responsive, from my leadership all the way to my friends, and especially my wife,” he said. “She was the one who pushed me to do it, and that definitely helped, going out there and knowing that I have as much support as I did.”
Those who know McDonald have spoken to the quality of his character. His supervisor, Master Sgt. Daviea Cowans, quality assurance superintendent of the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron, said that he is respectful and professional. Even during the live stream of the games, Cowans watched as McDonald “made sure his teammates were looked after,” continuing to display his dedication to his team.
“He is personable, charismatic and cares about the Airmen he supports,” said Cowans. “He always takes on any task and works to the best of his ability.”
McDonald said he took everything that he had learned over the years as an Airman and competitive softball player and highlighted what the Air Force represents: integrity, service and excellence.
“It’s an honor to be able to wear the ‘Air Force’ across my chest and be one of the few selected to go out there and represent not only JBER and my squadron, but the Air Force as a whole,” said McDonald. “It’s a great experience, and there's definitely a lot of pride that goes into that.”