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Defenders Challenge: Teamwork at its finest

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terrica Y. Jones
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

More than 50 defenders from the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron participated in a seven-event “Defenders Challenge” that tested teamwork, speed and endurance April 21 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Defenders competed in sprints, pushups, burpees, tire flips, medical evacuations reports, and disassembled and reassembled an M-9 pistol while blindfolded during the challenge.

“We wanted these events to simulate combat readiness,” said Staff Sgt. Kristin Delgado, 379th ESFS defender.  “For example, the 100-meter sprint simulates having to run to your gear, put it on and move quickly with both your gear and weapons.”

Another one of the events during the challenge was the 200-meter High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle push or pull. In this event teams worked together to push or pull a HMMWV 200 meters and then run back to their starting point.

“Imagine you're on patrol and your HMMWV gets stuck and you have to push or pull it,” said Delgado. “You have to get it out of the danger zone and to a safe location.”

During the event defenders also had to disassemble and reassemble an M-9 pistol while blindfolded while one of their teammates talked them through the process.

“It’s an example of being in a combat zone, taking fire in the dark and encountering a weapon malfunction or stoppage. You need to be able to fix your weapon without being able to see it,” said Delgado.

Some of the competitors shared their experiences about the challenges they had to endure during the events.

“During the ruck and ammo can carry, my bag snapped. I had to give my ammo can to one of my teammates while I carried my bag in front of me, and during the tire flip when I was tired, I couldn’t let my teammates do it by themselves. I had to pull my own weight,” said Senior Airman Marcus Williams-Burger, 379th ESFS Defender Challenge competitor.

“The 9-line medical evacuation scenario was the most challenging because your heart rate is elevated and it’s hard for you to complete it so calmly, which reflects real world situations,” said Senior Airmen Ismael Estrella, 379th ESFS Defender Challenge competitor.

Despite the challenges of the events the defenders accomplished each task with mental and physical strength and a “leave no Airman behind” concept.

 “This was not only a morale booster – we don’t want to become complacent,” said Delgado.