Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published December 21, 2016

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force has completed a service-wide recertification of all installation 1.5 mile-run and 2.0-kilometer walk courses following the recent discovery of courses that were too long at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas and Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts.



Physical fitness assessment (PFA) courses were recertified on 114 bases with 31 bases reporting inaccurate track lengths, of which, 15 found tracks used on base were too long.



“We were very surprised by the number of aerobic course tracks that were not the proper length,” said Brig. Gen. Brian Kelly, the Military Force Management Policy director. “We’ve been conducting fitness assessments for many years and many tests are conducted on what appear to be standard length tracks which added to our surprise. We’ve also had guidance in place for many years requiring certification of the aerobic course tracks. Our Airmen work hard to remain fit to fight, and we owe it to them to ensure policies, practices, and everything associated with their fitness testing is 100 percent reliable and accurate.”



The current AFI (36-2905) requires installation commanders to approve the 1.5-mile run/2.0-kilometer walk assessment course and file the approval memorandum at the local Fitness Assessment Cell (FAC). Following the recertification, strengthened guidance will direct courses be recertified when a change of command occurs or whenever there is a modification or change to the aerobic course.



“We’ve corrected the course lengths at the two bases originally identified, and we are working to ensure the other 29 bases are corrected as well,” Kelly said. “When we learned tracks were too long at Goodfellow (AFB) and Hanscom (AFB), we immediately initiated an Air Force-wide recertification, and have worked diligently to pursue corrections for all impacted Airmen.”



A review of fitness scores for Airmen assigned to all affected bases is under way. Airmen who tested on PFAs measuring short will retain their fitness score for the aerobic portion. An adjustment to the aerobic score will occur for Airman who tested on PFAs that were too long. Officials from all bases impacted are working with the Air Force Personnel Center to contact affected Airmen and provide avenues for remedy.



The following bases were found to have at least one track used for aerobic testing that measured too long:



Al Udeid AB, Qatar

Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait

Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

Fairchild AFB, Wash.

Goodfellow AFB, Texas

Hanscom AFB, Mass.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Kadena AB, Japan

Laughlin AFB, Texas

Malmstrom AFB, Mont.

Osan AB, South Korea

RAF Alconbury, England

Shaw AFB, S.C.

Travis AFB, Calif.

Volkel AB, Netherlands



Air Force members with questions are encouraged to contact their local force support squadron.



