JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 113th Wing and 316th Wing welcomed members of the Washington Nationals for a base visit, April 23, as part of ongoing engagements with national sports teams in the National Capital Region.
Nationals outfielder Alex Call and pitchers Eduardo Salazar and Michael Soroka received mission briefings from the both wings before stepping inside a UH-1N Huey helicopter and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
The visit wrapped up at the base softball fields, where the players played catch with members of the base’s intermural softball team, dubbed "America's Airfield” team, before signing autographs for service members and their families.
The 113th Wing and 316th Wing frequently conducts flyovers of Washington Nationals games to enhance public awareness of the Air Force mission and strategic role of Andrews. This visit further strengthened that connection by giving the players firsthand insight into the installation’s role in projecting airpower and global diplomacy from the National Capital Region.
“These guys are heroes, and they put their lives down for their country,” Call said. “That’s something that should be praised, respected and appreciated. Just coming out here today is the least I can do.”
The Nationals capped off the week with a Military Appreciation Night for their April 25 game, where Department of Defense personnel were honored and recognized for their service at Nationals Park.