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Warrior Airmen test their mettle

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Two Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron put their competitive spirit on display after they were accepted into the Combined Joint Task Forces -One /Regional Command (East) Warrior Team Competition at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 10, 2012.

The Army-sponsored event is intended to provide an opportunity for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to represent their units in a team competition to identify the most outstanding team of warriors. There were 25 teams in the competition. Prospective warriors were chosen at the unit level, and then their packages were selected by event organizers to participate in the competition.

Senior Airman Kurtis Turner and Senior Airman Jonathan Bussard, 455th ESFS, were chosen to compete and made up the sole Air Force team.

"It truly was an honor," said Bussard. "We both knew we had a rigorous challenge ahead of us, but we decided to do whatever it took to complete the task at hand. I don't think I ever felt so focused and determined just to show how the Air Force can operate alongside our Army counterparts."

The warrior competition pitted each team against a variety of challenges, to include a litter carry, an obstacle course, a stress shoot, and a run.

The Air Force team completed all the events and placed 11th overall.

"I've always wanted to compete and show my talents at a tactical level, but never had a similar opportunity present itself," said Bussard. "At first it was a little overwhelming. But a few miles into the competition and after that first obstacle, I knew I could complete whatever task they threw at me."

The 455th ESFS was very confident about the Air Force team it submitted of Bussard and Turner.

"As soon as we approached our chain, they were more excited than we were," said Bussard. "They had confidence in us which, in turn, gave us more confidence to compete."

This was the first time this team competition was conducted on Bagram and open to all branches of the Armed Forces.

"The Airmen definitely had the right attitude that impresses leaders," said Sergeant 1st Class Jeremy Short, CJTF-1 /RC (East) Warrior Competition organizer. "They wanted to get out there and compete."

Turner said he learned a lot from his experiences in the competition.

"I realized how much more you can put out when you think you have nothing left," he said. "It was an honor to participate."