Take down

Mr. John Schultz, Fire Inspector for the 914th Fire Emergency Services Flight and Senior Airman Dillon Pinkham, 914th Vehicle Maintenance, demonstrate self-defense moves at the gym at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. Both are self-defense instructors. Mr. Schultz teaches Taekwondo and Senior Airman Pinkham is a Judo instructor. They have recently combined efforts to teach self defense to members of the Wing and their family members. Taekwondo classes are held at the base gym Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 4:30-5:30pm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ian Carrier)

Niagara Falls offering free martial arts classes

Published Nov. 9, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Ian Carrier
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Two employees here are teaming up to offer free martial arts classes.

Senior Airman Dillon Pinkham, 914th Vehicle Maintenance Squadron, and John Schultz, 914th Emergency Services Flight fire inspector, are self-defense instructors of Judo and Taekwondo, respectively. They have recently combined efforts to teach self-defense to wing members and their families.

Pinkham has worked with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator to teach classes during drill weekends, and has been a guest instructor with Schultz's Taekwondo program during the week.

"We've had Dillon as a guest instructor in the past," said Schultz. "I noticed that he was an instructor and has taught classes here at the base. I thought his style might compliment what we were teaching."

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art is more of a stand-up style, they explain. There is a lot of kicking and punching while Judo, from Japan, utilizes more ground work. Both are Olympic sports.

"We teach women, children, whoever is willing to learn. You never know when you might need it," said Schultz.

"Unfortunately the world is not always a nice place," explained Pinkham. "Most people are nice, but there is the few that aren't. It's better to know something and not have to use it than to not know what to do when you need it."

All instructors are certified volunteers who teach martial arts and a mix of self-defense techniques.