32nd IP earns AETC athlete of the year Published Dec. 8, 2006 By MSgt George F. Jozens Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Vance's 2002 Athlete of the Year was recently named Air Education and Training Command's male representative for the 2003 Armed Forces Military Athlete of the Year. Capt Daniel LeBoeuf, 32nd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, has earned the AETC title by running throughout the armed forces, Oklahoma communities and his involvement in various other sports. "Competition for this prestigious award is always fierce," said Lt Gen John Hopper, AETC vice commander in a congratulatory letter. "Your commitment to athletic excellence resulted in your selection, and you are the very best in our command." Captain LeBoeuf has participated in several competitions and events throughout the world in 2003 with winning results. He was the top American runner in the Air North Cross Country Championships, the NATO Championships in Aalborg, Denmark. He was part of the winning co-ed relay team in the Air Force Marathon and was the second place Air Force runner in US Armed Forces Cross-Country Championships in Houston and the World Military Cross-Country Championships in St Astier, France. "It's difficult to compete at a high level athletically when you're an active duty military member," Captain LeBoeuf said. "When I go to a race, I can miss up to a week of work. But the 32nd FTS steps up and fills in for me when I'm gone and gets the job done. There is no better place for an Air Force pilot-athlete to be than the 32 FTS. I dedicate this award to them." Captain LeBoeuf didn't only compete in military competitions, he also competed in various events in Oklahoma, winning most and placing in them all. He ran in everything from "The Beacon on the Bay" 25-kilometer race in Oklahoma City to a 5-kilometer "Buckle of the Wheat Belt" run in Kingfisher, Okla. And he hands down beat the Vance runners in the commander's 5-k trophy run, the Vance duathalon, Vance Fitness 5-kilometer and also won the Vance 1-Mile Dash. The base is behind Captain LeBoeuf competing. "It is great Team Vance is able to represent the US Air Force in international competition," said Col Wade Johnson, 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander. "We're delighted he is the AETC's top male athlete and both Colonel Callan and I wish him luck with this year's competitions." Training is a big part of the captain's life. "I'm running about 65 miles per week," Captain LeBoeuf said. "My training varies depending on what (race) I'm getting ready to compete in." There is a lot of work done behind the scenes to get the captain prepared and able to compete. "The Vance Fitness Center has been instrumental in my success," he said. "The staff has been a huge help, Adam Sloat, Kenny O'Neal and Brian Mittelstet, without these professionals in the staff none of this would be possible. It's an honor to be on the podium with the many great athletes in AETC."