Camp Foster hosts 2015 Armed Forces Classic

Photo By Staff Sgt. Janessa Dugan | Pfc. Francisco Barajas sends a message to his mother during the 2015 Armed Forces Classic Nov. 14 at the Foster Fieldhouse aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. This marked the fourth year the Armed Forces Classic was held and the second time it was played in East Asia. The two teams battled in a heated, back and fourth game with Pitt leading 37-35 after twenty minutes of game time until the game was called off due to slippery playing conditions. Barajas, an Underwood, Iowa, native, is an automotive maintenance technician with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.14.2015

Story by Cpl. Daniel Jean-Paul 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Gonzaga University and the University of Pittsburg competed in the 2015 Armed Forces Classic Nov. 14 aboard Camp Foster.

This marked the fourth year the Armed Forces Classic was held and the second time it was played in East Asia. It was also the first time the Marine Corps hosted the game.

The two teams battled in a heated, back-and-fourth game with Pitt leading 37-35 after twenty minutes of game time until the game was called off due to slippery playing conditions.

“It's unfortunate. This is such a great event,” said James Robinson, starting point guard for Pitt. “We wanted to finish it for them, the real heroes.”

Despite the game’s cancellation, the two teams chose to show their appreciation for the service members on a more personal level. Players and coaches immersed themselves in the sea of woodland uniforms to thank the Marines for their hard work and sacrifices. Players posed for pictures, shook hands and even removed the jerseys off their backs to give to fans.

According to Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer, playing in the game and meeting the Marines on Okinawa was a life changing experience.

“It’s an honor for us to be chosen to come out here and play for you guys,” said Wiltjer. “The Marines do so much for the world. They’re amazing.”

Before game day the two teams explored the various Marine Corps installations in Okinawa. Players ate lunch with Marines at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma mess hall, toured the MV-22 Osprey and an AH-1 Super Cobra, and shot M4 carbines, M16A4 rifles, and M9 pistols on the Camp Hansen range.

“Getting to do things outside of basketball was really fun for us,” said Wiltjer. “Spending time with the Marines was awesome. I hope they enjoyed our presence as much as we enjoyed being here.”

Next year’s Armed Forces Classic will be held Nov. 11, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu and will highlight the Navy personnel stationed in Hawaii.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2015
• Date Posted: 11.18.2015 21:16
• Story ID: 182095
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP