Airman compete in CJTF-101 competition

Senior Airman Steven Doty, 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection, and Staff Sgt. Dean Martinez, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron stand with their Combined Joint Task Force-101 certificate at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, March 27. The CJTF-101 held a competition for junior enlisted and non-commissioned officer Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines. Airman Doty finished in second in the junior enlisted category and Sergeant Martinez placed first in the NCO category. The competition was held over two days and consisted of physical fitness, written evaluation on Code of Conduct and CJTF-101 history, hands-on combat skills, orienteering, and an evaluation board of five joint senior enlisted members. "Sergeant Martinez and Airmen Doty represent the very best in our great Air Force and their accomplishment shows that Airmen are all-in and ready to do whatever is asked of them," said Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Vannorsdall, 455th AEW, Command Chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Erik Cardenas)(Released)

Airman wins service member competition

Staff Sgt. Dean Martinez, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and Senior Airman Steven Doty, 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection, discuss proper procedures for weapon assembly at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, March 25. The Combined Joint Task Force-101 held a competition for junior enlisted and non-commissioned officer Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines. Sergeant Martinez placed first in the NCO category and Airman Doty finished in second in the junior enlisted category. The competition was held over two days and consisted of physical fitness, written evaluation on Code of Conduct and CJTF-101 history, hands-on combat skills, orienteering, and an evaluation board of five joint senior enlisted members.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Erik Cardenas)(Released)

Airman wins service member competition

Staff Sgt. Dean Martinez, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, clears the M-9 hand gun before disassembly at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, March 25. The Combined Joint Task Force-101 held a competition for junior enlisted and non-commissioned officer Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines. Sergeant Martinez placed first in the NCO category. As a seven year veteran in Security Forces, Sergeant Martinez had no problem with the weapons portion of the competition.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Erik Cardenas)(Released)

Airman wins service member competition

Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines competed in a CJTF-101 enlisted competiton at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, March 25. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dean Martinez, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron placed first in the non-commissioned officer category and Senior Airman Steven Doty, 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection, finished in second in the junior enlisted category. The competition was held over two days and consisted of physical fitness, written evaluation on Code of Conduct and CJTF-101 history, hands-on combat skills, orienteering, and an evaluation board of five joint senior enlisted members.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Erik Cardenas)(Released)

Airman wins service member competition

Published March 29, 2009
By Senior Airman Erik Cardenas
455th Air Expeditionary Wing

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- A 27-year-old Air Force staff sergeant was recently named one of Bagram's top enlisted warriors during a competition for Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines.

Staff Sgt. Dean Martinez, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, placed first in the non-commissioned officer category and Senior Airman Steven Doty, 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, placed second in the junior enlisted category in the Combined Joint Task Force-101 enlisted competition March 25.

The Airmen were the only two chosen to represent the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in the competition.

"Sergeant Martinez and Airmen Doty represent the very best in our great Air Force and their accomplishment shows that Airmen are all-in and ready to do whatever is asked of them," said Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Vannorsdall, 455th AEW, Command Chief.

The competition started with a 7.85 mile run. Finishing in 1st place was Sergeant Martinez in 52 minutes and behind him was Airman Doty finishing in 53 minutes. Half way through the run, Sergeant Martinez and Airman Doty were running together as two F-15E Strike Eagles flew overhead. That flight inspired the two to overtake the only competitor in their way to finish the last four miles in the lead.

"I can't tell you how proud I was to cheer our Airmen on as they crossed the finish line first," said Chief Vannorsdall.

Immediately following the run, the competitors went to the Joint Operation Center gym for weightlifting events. Each individual bench pressed 75 percent of their body weight, as well as lifted 25 percent of their weight on tricep extensions, curls and upright rows. Competitors performed the exercises to failure.

The rest of the competition included a written evaluation on the Code of Conduct and CJTF-101 history, hands-on combat skills, orienteering, and an evaluation by a board of five joint senior enlisted members.

"I feel fortunate to have had the chance to represent my flight, group, wing and the Air Force," said Airmen Doty. "The support I received from my fellow Airmen, Soldiers and my family was instrumental in my success."

Sergeant Martinez said he is still in shock. He believes the win has earned the Air Force more respect from its sister services.

The duo also thanked their units for allowing them time to prepare for the event.

Before the competition was held, the 455th AEW pre-qualified those interested in participating. Master Sgt. Sean Gouge, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group first sergeant, said the plan was to find Airmen who exceeded physical fitness standards who would perform well in front of a board.

"These two Airmen had what it took to best represent the Air Force," he said.

Once identified, they had 10 days to prepare for the competition, and received training from pararescuemen, flight medicine, and Critical Care Air Transport team. Some of the training they received before the contest included combat life-saver skills and providing intravenous injections on live patients.

For Sergeant Martinez the hardest part of the competition was not knowing what to expect at the board, while Airman Doty said the weapons-assembly portion was the toughest because of his limited weapons experience as a base photographer.

A seven-year veteran of security forces, Sergeant Martinez helped his wingman with the assembly and disassembly of the M-16A rifle, M-9 hand gun, and M-249 machine gun before the events.

Ultimately for these competitors the two-day event gave them an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities to a joint audience.

"I just came here to prove to the Army that the Air Force doesn't just sit around riding bicycles," mused Sergeant Martinez.