Tyndall Airman keeps community on track

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

It’s 5 p.m., the normally bustling school grounds are now empty except for the group parents filing on to the field, getting ready for evening practice. They line the side of the track field with lawn chairs and tailgates as their children excitedly run out to meet their coach. Their coach is clad in basketball shorts and a t-shirt, a contrast to his normally clean cut military uniform. He smiles and jokes with the children. He knows all their names, their strengths and their weaknesses. As both coach and fellow member of the community, he constantly strives to make them better, both on and off the field.

This Team Tyndall Airman donates his time to mentor and coach a local cross-country team comprised of children from both the local and military community, including his own son.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Antonio Mack, 325th Fighter Wing Air Forces Northern/Tyndall Command Center and 325th Fighter Wing Staff Agency superintendent, volunteers as a coach for the Shaldera Track Club for kids.

Mack is responsible for supervising over 150 personnel between the 325th FW staff and command post. A huge part of his job right now is Airmen, taking care of them, handling their problems and making sure their part in the mission gets done.

Where many people would be tired or done at the end of their work day, Mack finds the time to trade in his boots for sneakers every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to train and mentor children in the community through track and field.

 “Sports are a really great avenue for kids to get all their energy out, while also having a great time in the process,” said Mack as his athletes perform cooldown exercises behind him. “We’re able to provide kids with a sense of teamwork and foster a positive influence for them and the community. I believe that this gives them an outlet to get some of their frustrations out and teaches them how to persevere through difficult situations.”

Through the local Shaldera Track Club, many Tyndall families are provided with a sense of belonging that can otherwise be difficult to obtain because of constant relocation. It also has allowed Mack and other service members the time to spend with their children in a fun and positive environment.

 “Coaching is great for me because I’m able to spend time with my son. I also coach football and I find that spending time with him through coaching brings us closer,” he added.

About half of the parents and children in the team are affiliated with Tyndall or the Panama City Naval Support Activity. Panama City.

 “I really enjoy training the kids and providing a close knit network for them,” said Mack.

Through his career, Mack has deployed eight times to six different areas of operation. He’s experienced time away from his family and tries to capitalize on opportunities like sports to spend with them.

Military service can be difficult not just for the member’s deployed, but for those left behind as well.

“One of the best aspects about coaching is the impact provided to a child whose parents are deployed,” Mack says as he looks over the kids around him. “We come together as a team, and we are able to be there for them and fill some of the void they may have.”

For those children of deployed military members, or his own military troops, Coach and Senior Master Sgt. Antonio Mack is ready, willing and able to step in and help fill those voids.

Every Airman’s story is different, but they all have families who have been impacted by the decision of joining the Air Force.

“Within the profession of arms, much of what we do relies upon the military family ... because this is truly a ‘family business’,” said General David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, in an article regarding the importance of Airman and their families. “Our nation is strengthened by our communities, and our communities are strengthened by our families.”