Local Lieutenant shines through in basketball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Veronica McMahon
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force emphasizes its pride in being fit to fight in many ways, and participating in sporting competitions and events is one way Airmen can become fit to fight.

Playing basketball has gotten 1st Lt. Monica Mason, 325th Maintenance Squadron section commander, selected to represent the Air Force and the Armed Forces at the 2009 Tournament of the Stars National Championship Aug. 6-10 at Lake Charles, La.

"I'm honored to represent the Air Force and Armed Forces," said Lieutenant Mason.  "I am very excited to have the opportunity to play basketball alongside other talented Air Force members and other service branch members."

Lieutenant Mason has been playing basketball since she was 14-years old and has been playing on the base team since she commissioned in 2007. This is her second year to be selected for the team, but is her first year to attend the tournament.

"I am really excited to be able to go this year," said Lieutenant Mason. "I'm so glad to be afforded this opportunity and owe thanks to my commander and fellow squadron members for supporting me."

The lieutenant says she practices about three or four times a week on the courts to keep her basketball skills.

"She is very fundamentally sound, exciting to watch and very team oriented," said Master Sgt. Darryl Carpenter, 573rd Global Support Squadron aerial transporter out of Travis AFB, Calif. "This puts her in a top echelon of players in the Air Force and says a lot about her abilities."

Sergeant Carpenter has been her coach for two seasons and both seasons she has been selected as an All Armed Forces player. This year she is one of six Airmen to represent the Air Force, and will be playing alongside members of the other military branches.

"It is fun and inspiring to play with the other services," said the Lieutenant. "These are the kind of things you will remember in your career."