Michigan snowmobile fans learn about Air Force Published March 9, 2009 By Staff Sgt Jacob Watson 339th Recruiting Squadron SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. -- Air Force recruiters from the 339th Recruiting Squadron were on hand recently for the International 500 Snowmobile Race in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to provide race fans a glimpse of how the sport parallels Air Force teamwork. It was the 41st running of the I-500 -- the world's oldest, longest and fastest snowmobile endurance race -- where racers routinely reach speeds of more than 100 mph on the Sault track, the only mile oval snowmobile race facility in North America. Attending the race was Col. Stan Chase, the Air Force Recruiting Service vice commander. The day before the race, Colonel Chase visited 339th RCS recruiting offices and attended a delayed entry program call conducted by Staff Sgt. Jacob Watson, a 2008 Blue Suit recruiter in Sault Ste. Marie. Colonel Chase spoke to the 12 DEPpers and 339th RCS members in attendance and provided coins to both Sergeant Watson and his flight chief Master Sgt. Rob Veuleman, a recent promotee through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program. Race day began at 10 a.m. with the temperature hovering at an unseasonably warm 30 degrees -- the fifth-warmest start in the race's history During the eight-hour event, Colonel Chase and the 339th RCS team spent time meeting race fans and spreading the word about Air Force job opportunities. "It was great to have the colonel back with us for a second year in a row. Although the temps were a bit warm, he gets credit for attending the I-500 since he had to tromp through four feet of snow to get there," joked Chief Master Sgt. Dave Kendall, the 339th RCS superintendent. The 339th RCS, headquartered in Clinton Township, Mich., covers a 54,000 square-mile area that includes Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.