LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
It's been two years since Lackland hosted a Armed Forces-level Championship, when the military's best basketball players last took its courts in 2008.
Now, it's the pugilists' time - and they'll be here in force.
Marine, Army and Navy boxers arrive at Lackland's gates Feb. 13, with the Armed Forces Boxing Championships beginning Feb. 15.
The Army team is coming off a title win, with seven gold medal winners in 2010.
A seven-day event, all-service teams have two days before the single-elimination starts with the preliminary bouts Tuesday, Feb. 15.
The bouts, including the finals on Feb. 18, will be held at the Chaparral Fitness Center.
Playing host to the boxing action, manager Richard Brown has helped operate numerous all-service level competitions in the past, including the last Armed Forces boxing tournament at Lackland in 2007.
"It's a huge undertaking," Brown said. "We have to make arrangements and accommodations for all the services."
A lot of effort has been focused on coordinating lodging, repainting the gym's entire exterior and interior, and other preparations.
Foremost, the ring will be transported to the Chaparral from the Bennett Fitness Center, where the Air Force Box-offs were held in January.
In addition, all the services flags will be displayed in the gym, along with the official Armed Forces flag.
In all, 212 Sports and Fitness staff members are expected to help with the preparation and operation of the tournament, which Brown said will draw a capacity crowd at the fitness facility.
The boxing room and racquetball area will be closed to the public until Feb. 19 after the boxing teams depart.
The draw for matchups for each weight class is Feb. 14, 10 a.m., at the Gateway Club's Officer Lounge, and a ceremony the same day at the Chaparral, 5:30 p.m., will precede the tournament's first bout.
Gold medals are awarded to boxers who win their weight classes.
Team medals are awarded to the two services that earn the most points - one point for a semifinal win and two points for a victory in the finals.
Sanctioned by USA Boxing as a national qualifying event, any Armed Forces boxer who wins his or her weight class earns an invitation to the National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., scheduled for June. This year, an Armed Forces weight class champion also qualifies for the boxing team trials for the 2012 Olympics.