403rd AFSB leaders attend World Masters Athletics Championships opening ceremony in Daegu

DAEGU, South Korea - Leaders from the 403rd Army Field Support Brigade attended the World Masters Athletics Championships opening ceremony at Daegu Stadium, here, Aug. 21.

Col. Jason P. Book, commander, 403rd AFSB; Gordon B. Hackett, deputy to the commander; and Command Sgt. Maj. TaJuana J. Nixon, senior enlisted advisor, attended the event at the invitation of Chin Ki-hoon, secretary general of the World Masters Athletics Championships Organizing Committee. The invitation recognized the brigade's continued engagement with the local community and its longstanding commitment to maintaining a strong good-neighbor relationship in the Daegu area.

Before the ceremony, 403rd AFSB leaders met with Chu, Kyung-ho, mayor, Daegu Metropolitan City, during a VIP tea reception. The visit also provided an opportunity to reconnect with Kim, Dae-kwon, mayor, Suseong-gu, and Jun Y. Yi, vice president of the Tacoma Sister Cities Association, reflecting the brigade's continued engagement with local and international partners.

The Powerhouse Brigade team also had the opportunity to meet civic and diplomatic leaders including international representatives from several countries.

The 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships are scheduled in Daegu from Aug. 22 to Sept. 3 and feature 34 events. As of Aug. 23, 212 U.S. participants had arrived and registered for the competition, while 335 Americans had applied to take part. Overall, the event has drawn about 11,000 athletes and family members from 90 countries, highlighting Daegu's role as a host city for major global sporting events.