442d MXS members complete Missouri Tough Mudder Published Nov. 8, 2016 By Senior Airman Missy Sterling 442d Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Nine 442d members from Whiteman ran alongside 4,600 other participants in the 2016 Missouri Tough Mudder event October 8 at the fairgrounds in Sedalia. The fairgrounds’ 396 acres transformed into a fiery, icy, muddy course with approximately 25 different obstacles designed to wear down the toughest teams and challenge their ability to work together. Master Sgt. Richard Hoff Jr., the 442d Maintenance Squadron Electronic Countermeasures shop supervisor, encouraged his squadron members to attend this event in an effort to boost esprit de corps and promote mental and physical fitness. “There’s no way to complete them by yourself,” said Hoff about the obstacles. “Everyone on the team needed help at least once to complete the course, so we worked together to make that happen. The wingman concept was our focus going into the event and stayed true until the end.” The squadron also showed their support for each other by helping sponsor four members who wanted to go but could not afford the entry fee, Hoff said. Other squadron members, like Maj. Ronald Mills, were among the spectators. “While I couldn’t participate, it was a fun event to be a part of and watch the members power through the obstacles with such a team-oriented attitude,” said Mills, the 442d Maintenance Squadron commander. “I was proud of all of them attempting every obstacle and finishing the event while still managing to have the energy to smile at the end.” After about four hours of running, lunging, and pushing through each obstacle, the team completed the course with minor bumps and bruises which haven’t deterred the squadron members from planning to complete another course next year.