Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq, got a little “flex time” recently at the base’s first body-building competition.

Organized by Sgt. 1st Class Woody B. Carter of the 67th Combat Support Hospital, the event drew 15 male and female body builders and more than 350 spectators, according a U.S. Army news release.

A five-member panel judged participants on overall body symmetry, confidence in posing, endurance and attitude. Winners of each class were awarded Army and Air Force Exchange Services gift certificates, a trophy, protein supplements and a subscription to Muscle Fitness magazine.

Burger King opens in Kandahar

U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan got another taste of home recently when the Army and Air Force Exchange Service opened a Burger King at the Kandahar Airfield.

The new fast-food outlet fired up its grills for the first time last month, drawing throngs of whopper-seekers to its southeastern Afghanistan location, according to a U.S. Army news release. It is the second Burger King opened by AAFES in Afghanistan. The other is at Bagram Air Base, near Kabul.

At FOB Paliwoda, it was run, then eat

Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Paliwoda in Balad, Iraq, decided to burn off a few calories before eating their Thanksgiving meal this year.

The troops started their holiday with a 1.5-mile run, dubbed the “turkey trot.” The race, run in full body armor, was won by Maj. Kirby Hanson, Task Force 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment’s executive officer, according to a U.S. Army news release.

“It was a good run,” said Maj. David Hubner, commander of Task Force 1-77. “I think wearing the body armor made it a lot more fun.”

After the run, Brig. Gen. John G. Morgan, 1st Infantry Division assistant division commander for maneuver visited the base to thank the soldiers.

When it came time to eat, Maj. Hubner and Col. Randall Dragon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Commander helped the cooks serve the Thanksgiving meal.

“It was our way of thanking the soldiers for all they do for their leadership and their country ever day,” Hubner said.

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