JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 11th Security Forces Squadron hosted the first 11th SFS Defender’s Challenge here Oct. 3.
Teams of two defenders completed seven stations, testing their technical precision in weapon proficiency, urban combat, fitness, land navigation, first aid response and response to attack.
“The intent was to promote camaraderie and pride amongst the 11th SFS defenders through friendly competition,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Bell, 11th SFS commander. “I expect that after this first challenge, our competitors will be more proficient in the core tasks that the United States Air Force expects us to perform in a variety of environments and conditions.”
Bell said that participating in the challenge provided defenders a way to refresh their knowledge on skills not commonly used, like land navigation. Most SFS Airmen are not required to use that skill on a day-to-day basis, he added, but it’s a skill defenders are expected to know.
Staff Sgt. Lucas Rains, 11th SFS response team leader, said that it was easy to see the teamwork building.
“[This event] combines competition and using skills in a hostile environment, which [gave teams] that extra push and ability to lean on their battle buddy,” said Rains.
The 2018 third-quarter champions are Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gilmore and Senior Airman Scott Gibson. The 4th-quarter iteration of the event will be scheduled soon.
“Our squadron’s mission statement is, ‘Dominate the defense of America’s Airfield to enable national objectives in our nation’s capital and across the globe,'” Bell said. “This competition is a part of fulfilling this mission.”