Pink Bowl

Senior Airman Akia Carter, 31st Communications Squadron, throws a ball during a game of dodge ball between Aviano and Vicenza service members, June, 6, 2014, at U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, Italy. The first ever “Pink Bowl” competition was an opportunity for Airman and Soldiers to come together through teamwork and competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman)

Pink Bowl

Members of the Aviano Air Base’s “Single Airmen Staying Strong” and U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza’s “Female to Female” groups compete in a game of volleyball during a “Pink Bowl” event, June 6, 2014, at U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, Italy. The Pink Bowl brought Air Force and Army females together to strengthen bonds between branches and help each other understand their separate missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Abbey Whittaker)

Pink Bowl

Members of the Aviano Air Base’s “Single Airmen Staying Strong” and U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza’s “Female to Female” groups congratulate each other after a game of volleyball during a “Pink Bowl” event, June 6, 2014, at U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, Italy. Programs like “SASS" and "F2F" are initiatives designed to bring single females together to build connections throughout various activities and events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Abbey Whittaker)

'Pink Bowl' strengthens bonds between branches

Published June 11, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Single females from U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza and Team Aviano came together in support of strengthening bonds with friendly competition, June 6.

Female Soldiers from Vicenza's "Female to Female" group and Airmen from the "Single Airmen Staying Strong" program competed in volleyball, dodge ball and basketball to create the first "Pink Bowl" between the two groups.

"After finding out Aviano formed SASS, we thought the best way to officially launch the program was to invite them down to compete against our [F2F] program," said 1st Lt. Lauren Johnson, 173rd Brigade, Support Battalion, Charlie Company executive officer. "The Pink Bowl was created to build unit cohesion between branches and have some friendly competition."

Aviano successfully launched SASS in March, inspired by Vicenza's Female to Female program. While the program was initially geared to women, SASS welcomes all service members to socialize, network and share their wisdom and knowledge. The Pink Bowl competition was specifically available to females to align with Vicenza's all female team and allow for targeted networking between the two bases.

"For our younger servicewomen, it may be difficult for them to meet others outside their shop, particular other females," said Capt. Julie Glover, 31st Medical Group executive officer. "SASS is one way to help alleviate that need and we aim to provide a variety of events for our Airmen so they can reach out and meet other women across the base."

SASS also serves as a resilience initiative to foster development between mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Throughout the event, Airmen and Soldiers practiced physical and social resilience, while having fun and making connections.

A Pink Bowl rematch is scheduled for the fall, which will give Vincenza a chance to win service bragging rights. According to Glover, personnel are encouraged to spread the word to other bases Air Force wide in support of creating more avenues for females to connect.

"Our military is only roughly 19 percent women and we should all have a part in reaching out to network with them wherever we go, especially our younger female Airmen who work in shops and sections where their coworkers are predominantly male." said Glover. "In the end, I would hope to see this raising morale not only for the individual, but also their element, flight and command."

Additional SASS events are scheduled to occur every two months. For more information or to get involved in SASS, contact Capt. Julie Glover at 632-5238.