Security Forces Airmen gear up for first Defenders Challenge since pandemic pause: 'Don’t call it a comeback'
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Johnny White, 816th Security Forces Squadron team leader, performs an ammo can press at the Defender Challenge tryout at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug 30, 2023. The Defender Challenge is a competition featuring Security Forces members from Air Force and Space Force major commands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman)
Security Forces Airmen gear up for first Defenders Challenge since pandemic pause: 'Don’t call it a comeback'
Defenders from the National Capital Region begin the ruck portion of the Defender Challenge tryout at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug 28, 2023. The tryout was a three-day event geared towards the upcoming larger competition at Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman)
Security Forces Airmen gear up for first Defenders Challenge since pandemic pause: 'Don’t call it a comeback'
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tyler Arevalo, right, 816th Security Forces Squadron executive aircraft security Raven, fires an M4 carbine during the Defender Challenge tryout at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 30, 2023. Defenders were tested on core operational skills such as weapon proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman)
Security Forces Airmen gear up for first Defenders Challenge since pandemic pause: 'Don’t call it a comeback'
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julius Taylor, 316th Security Forces combat arms instructor, instructs Defenders at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance building at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 30, 2023. The Defenders participated in three days of tryouts for the 2023 Defender Challenge scheduled for Oct. 23-27, at Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman)
Security Forces Airmen gear up for first Defenders Challenge since pandemic pause: 'Don’t call it a comeback'
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Scott Roy, left, 316th Security Support Squadron superintendent, coaches U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stephen Berg, 11th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant, as he does ammo can presses during the Defender Challenge tryout at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 30, 2023. Defenders from across the National Capital Region competed for a spot on the Air Force District of Washington team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman)
By Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman, / Published Aug. 31, 2023
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md.,
Defenders from across the National Capital Region honed their skills in preparation for the 2023 Defender’s Challenge, Aug. 28-30. The training and tryout sessions were geared towards the upcoming larger competition at Fort Bliss, Texas, scheduled for Oct. 23-27, that pits major command teams against each other during tests of physical endurance and core operational skills.
This event marks its return after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the sessions allowed the Defenders to come together to build camaraderie and teamwork through competition.
“I’ve always tried to be a part of things where camaraderie is a big factor,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tyler Arevalo, 816th Security Forces Squadron executive aircraft security Raven. “The Defender Challenge is a perfect example of that.”
The tryouts assessed participants' physical and mental prowess, aiding team leaders in selecting the five most well-rounded members to represent the Air Force District of Washington.
“I want to thank my team for all their hard work making this seamless, and to the competitors for giving their all these last three days,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julius Taylor, 316th Security Forces Group chief of weapons and tactics. “I am happy my commander allowed me to assemble the best defenders available to make the team."
The events consisted of an 8-mile ruck, a shooting competition, a combat fitness challenge, a combatives evaluation, a written 45-question test and keep-in-memory games.
“I decided to try out for the Defender Challenge because I saw it as an opportunity to test and push myself against some of the top people in my career field,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Samson Rasay, 816th Security Forces Squadron executive aircraft security Raven. “When the going gets tough, that’s when you find out who you really are.”
