RAF Lakenheath hosts NATO basketball tournament

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Kellie Rizer
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The opening ceremonies of the annual NATO basketball tournament kicked off the week-long Allied Air Component Command inter-nation event at the Lakenheath Fitness Center, March 24.

Twelve teams and 200 athletes representing air forces from Belgium, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States traveled to Lakenheath to participate in the AIRCOM tournament and challenge each other in friendly, yet competitive, games.

"We have a lot of fun meeting players from other countries and recognizing them from past years," said Royal Netherlands air force Sgt. Maj. Maro Van Schoonhoven. "It's a reunion with our allies and within our own team each time."

Players from across Europe traveled to Lakenheath to participate in the tournament. Senior Airman Ladeania Jackson made the journey from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and filled a last-minute slot on the U.S. women's team for the opportunity to combine her career and passion for the sport.

"I missed playing actual competition basketball, and I wanted to come and be a part of a team and represent the U.S.," Jackson said. "I was going to do whatever it takes to get here and play."

The AIRCOM inter-nation sports program, Headquarters Allied Air Command, Ramstein, utilizes sports as an accessible platform to build relationships between NATO allies both on and off the playing field, according to the Inter-Nation Sports Programme website.

Eight sporting events are spread out over two-year periods. This year, basketball, athletics, orienteering and indoor football will be held at various bases, in addition to Lakenheath.

"We're excited, at Lakenheath, to host the NATO AIRCOM basketball championships for 2015 and welcome the athletes from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands," said Col. Marc Vandeveer, 48th Mission Support Group commander.

"These athletic events are a great way to foster cooperation and teamwork between our NATO partners. Every 10 years, this event comes to Lakenheath, so we are very excited to host, and wish a fair and tough competition for our athletes," he said.

The final standings for the tournament were:

Men's
U.S. (4-0)
Germany (3-1)
Poland  (2-2)
Belgium (1-3)
U.K. (1-3)
The Netherlands  (1-3)

Women's
U.S. (4-0)
Belgium (3-1)
Germany (2-2)
Poland  (2-2)
U.K. (1-3)
The Netherlands (0-4)