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Active, non-active airmen compete in games

Warrior CARE comes to Offutt AFB
Posted at 9:40 AM, Jul 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-20 10:40:04-04

Active and non-active airmen will settle the score through competitions starting Monday.

Warrior CAREevent, hosted by the U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior program, comes to Offutt Air Force Base for a week. Participants compete in adaptive sports including sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, track-and-field and more.

 

Most competitors have an illness or were either wounded while in combat or from other incidents.

The games offer participants a chance to heal physically, emotionally and mentally, according to the program.

It gave me a way to figure out, 'Hey, I'm not broken and I'm just re-designed," said ret. airman Casey Dockins, a program ambassador.

Ret. Capt. Rob Hufford told 3 News Now a friend strongly encouraged him to compete after being medically retired due to being diagnosed with epilepsy.

"As a long-life athlete, she knew it would help me," Hufford said. "Once I got involved, that competitive spirit bit me again. I can't leave."

Now, he competes in rowing, powerlifting and shot put.

Approximately 90 caregivers and airmen are expected to attend the event at the base. While the games attract them, the Warrior CARE event also offers career training and workshops in comedy, music and art.