An Air Force orthopedic surgeon has been tapped to be the head coach for the U.S. Air Force 2012 Warrior Games team during the competition slated for April 30 through May 5 in Colorado Springs. Maj. James Bales, 2010’s Air Force Male Athlete of the Year, from Peterson Air Force Base, will coach the 2012 team assisted by Cami Stock, from Colorado Springs, who is returning for her third year of Warrior Games.

Capt. James Bales, an orthopedic surgeon at the U.S. Air Force Academy Hospital, was named U.S. Air Force Male Athlete of the Year for 2010 and is training for the 2012 Olympic Trials. (Courtesy photo)

Bales, the 2011 upright cycling coach and team physician, called it an honor to lead this year’s team.

“I have always had a huge respect for the sacrifices our wounded warriors have made,” he said. “Being the head coach for Warrior Games combines my passion for sports, medicine and coaching.”

Bales maintains the games are not about medals but helping wounded warriors recover from injury. “At the end of the day, it is about looking back and seeing how far wounded warriors have come,” he said. “Warrior Games is about each wounded warrior competing at the best of his or her ability.”

Besides the head and assistant coaches, there are coaches for the individual competitions.

Other Colorado coaches are:

Cycling Recumbent/Shooting: Maj. Scott Bullis, Peterson AFB

Swimming: Anthony Boettcher, U.S. Air Force Academy

Sitting Volleyball: Capt. Nicki Marino, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School

Track: John Zavada, Colorado Springs

Shooting (WCAP-Air Pistol): Senior Airman Alex Callage, Peterson AFB

Archery: Gary Fooshee, Colorado Springs

Active-duty, retired and separated Airmen competed for the Air Force team in the 2012 Warrior Games during a selection camp March 25-30 in Colorado Springs. The Airmen selected for the team will compete in seven sports – wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, archery, swimming, track and field, shooting and cycling.

This year’s team is nearly a 50/50 mix of veteran players and rookies. Their disabilities range from post-traumatic stress disorder to kidney disease and leg amputation.

For those interested in competing or coaching in the 2013 Warrior Games, visit the web site:  woundedwarriors.af.mil.