Wright-Patt hosts Bengals rookies for visit with troops, families
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Rookies from the Cincinnati Bengals visited Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to engage with Airmen, Guardians and their families, Friday, June 6.
Cincinnati Bengals rookies and military members from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base pose for a group photo in the Signature Tracking for Optimized Nutrition and Training (STRONG) Lab at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 6, 2025. The STRONG Lab, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, is a premier exercise science facility that unites research with the needs of military human performance and operational support teams. The rookies visited Wright-Patt to engage with Airmen, Guardians and their families during a day that included tours of human performance labs, briefings on military working dogs and a skills clinic for military children. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)
The visit began with a tour of the 711th Human Performance Wing and the Signature Tracking for Optimized Nutrition and Training (STRONG) Lab, where the players learned how military researchers use human performance technologies to optimize fitness through personalized training, nutrition and recovery programs.
At the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, the group explored the High Bay training facility, where Airmen prepare for aerospace medicine and human performance operations.
Cincinnati Bengals rookies and military members from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base pose for a group photo inside the C-17 training simulator at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Ohio, June 6, 2025. The rookies visited Wright-Patt to engage with Airmen, Guardians and their families during a day that included tours of human performance labs, briefings on military working dogs and a skills clinic for military children. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)
Airman 1st Class Desmond Euell and other members of the 88th Security Forces Squadron joined the rookies throughout their visit.
“Today has been amazing,” Euell said. “They’re engaged in getting to know who we are. They’re not just focused on the job, but also on how this job affects us, how it is [represented to the public], and how it supports our mission.”
The players also visited the Military Working Dog unit, where they observed K-9s in action during training scenarios and received a briefing on the dogs’ roles in base security, including detection, patrol and mission support.
Demetrius Knight, Cincinnati Bengals rookie, is bitten by Military Working Dog Lux during a training scenario at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 7, 2025. The rookies visited Wright-Patt to engage with Airmen, Guardians and their families during a day that included tours of human performance labs, briefings on military working dogs and a skills clinic for military children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jack Gardner)
Lunch brought the rookies together with Airmen and Guardians—many of whom had recently returned from deployment or were preparing to deploy. The players and service members exchanged perspectives on their careers, challenges and shared values.
Brayln Lux, Cincinnati Bengals rookie, laughs with Airmen during lunch at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 7, 2025. The rookies visited Wright-Patt to engage with Airmen, Guardians and their families during a day that included tours of human performance labs, briefings on military working dogs and a skills clinic for military children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jack Gardner)
Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, welcomed the players and thanked them for their visit. He presented each rookie with a Wright-Patterson challenge coin as a token of appreciation.
Brig. Gen. Robert K. Bogart, 711th Human Performance Wing commander, welcomes Cincinnati Bengals rookies to the Wing prior to their tour of the STRONG Lab and the En Route Care Training Facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 6, 2025. The rookies visited Wright-Patt to engage with Airmen, Guardians and their families during a day that included tours of human performance labs, briefings on military working dogs and a skills clinic for military children. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)
“Thank you all for coming out today and spending time with our Airmen, Guardians and their families,” Richards said. “Your visit means a lot to us, and it’s a great way to build connections between the military and our community.”
Cincinnati Bengals rookies, military children and volunteers pose for a group photo during a skills and drills clinic at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 7, 2025. The clinic brought together more than 30 children in grades 1 through 5 for a day of football skills, fun and community connection with Airmen and Guardians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jack Gardner)
The day wrapped up with a skills and drills clinic for more than 30 military children in grades one through five. Bengals rookies, along with team mascot Who Dey and the Ben-Gals cheerleaders, participated in the event.
Who Dey, the Cincinnati Bengals mascot, participates in a skills and drills clinic with military children at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 7, 2025. The event aimed to build camaraderie and inspire military children through fun football activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jack Gardner)