Alamogordo Desert Dawgs have Air Power

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John D. Strong II
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Holloman Air Force Base and the city of Alamogordo have teamed up for many events in the past and for the sake of football they've done it again.

The city of Alamogordo recently started a semi pro football team called the Desert Dawgs and currently have 13 military members from Holloman playing and practicing with the team.

Many squadrons are represented on the Desert Dawgs with Airmen participating from the 49th Civil Engineering Squadron, Fighter Wing Staff, Comptroller Squadron, Maintenance Operation Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Security Forces Squadron, Communications Squadron, Force Support Squadron, and Maintenance Squadron.

Desert Dawgs head coach and retired Master Sergeant Kim Mitchell of the 49th CES, said the team's military members not only bring talent but they bring a natural team work ethic and mind set to the field.

"They bring a team work that you don't see with the young kids downtown a lot of time, they are older and the leadership they bring with them enhances the team I think" he said. "I have four non commissioned officers on the team and I depend on them a little bit more than the other players because they are in that leadership role in the service and on the team", Coach Mitchell said.

The non commissioned officers on the team take their roles on the field seriously, just as much as they do their work for the Air Force.

"I try to incorporate leadership on and off the field" said Staff Sergeant Patrick Sudduth of the Maintenance Operation Squadron and Desert Dawgs defensive end. "The Air Force teaches us leadership as a non commissioned officer, and I take it to the field. Leadership is necessary for your defense to run; they won't listen to you unless they know you know what you are doing."

The Alamogordo Desert Dawgs head into the playoffs with a six game winning streak and an overall record of 6-1. They Desert Dawgs face the Albuquerque Torros this Saturday May 3, at Alamogordo High School's Tiger Stadium.

"Here we are with our first playoff game this weekend against the Torros. They are a much better team since the first time we played them. It should be a good game. I hope to see a lot of my fellow Holloman fans at the game Saturday and I hope they continue to show their great support for the team."