Heritage Ball Crud tournament

  • Published
  • By Capt. Alysia Harvey
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Four teams participated in a crud tournament at the Eagles' Landing Officers' Club on Aug. 20. Although all the teams played hard and had fun, the 48th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies won the tournament.

The event, hosted by the RAF Lakenheath Heritage Ball planning committee, raised approximately $250 for the ball, which will be Sep. 12 at 7 p.m. in Hangar 7.

According to Wikipedia, crud is a fast-paced game loosely based on billiards or pool claimed to originate in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The game is played on a pool or snooker table using the cue ball and one object ball - most commonly a striped ball since it is easiest to determine if it is in motion. Only the corner pockets are used. Side pockets are traditionally blocked by rolls of toilet paper. Pool cues are not used, so the shooter ball is launched manually across the table surface. A game of crud involves running around the table after a player who is trying to grab the shooter ball and either striking the object ball before it stops moving or sinking it into one of the pockets. This game is usually only played in a military mess, as the management of most public establishments would not normally condone contact sports and the apparent abuse of their equipment.

"This was such a fun event," said Capt. Taona Enriquez, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who serves as chairman of the Heritage Ball planning committee and also played on the 48th Maintenance Group team in the tournament.

She went on to say that although her team didn't win the tournament, she considers the event a success.

"It was great to see everyone come out to support the event before the three-day weekend," the captain said. "We made about $250 for the ball, and it seems all the team members and spectators really enjoyed themselves. I encourage everyone on base to come out to the Heritage Ball as well because it is going to be a great time also."

The ball, which will be a mess dress affair for military personnel and formal attire for civilians, will consist of static displays of Royal Air Force and U.S. Air Force aircraft and equipment, live musical entertainment, and heavy oeuvres. The first 600 attendees will also receive mementos commemorating the "Silver Wings, Golden Legacy" of RAF Lakenheath, which celebrates its 50 years of Coalition Air Superiority.

"The idea behind this event is to not only celebrate the 50 years of Coalition Air Superiority, but also to give people an opportunity to let their hair down a little," said Capt. Pete Emerton, 48th Fighter Wing Protocol and member of the winning crud tournament team. "We want U.S. Air Force personnel to come out and socialize with each other and our RAF, Ministry of Defence and Department of Defense partners. We want people to have a good time and celebrate our heritage and our service."

Both went on to say the event was designed with this purpose in mind it will not be a sit-down dinner, but a social event with bar tables meant to encourage people to mingle.