Joint Warrior Challenge to be held Sat. May 18; 365 TRS defending champs

  • Published
  • By Dan Hawkins
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines will help celebrate Armed Forces Week here by participating in the Joint Warrior Challenge May 18 at the base track.

The day kicks off at 7 a.m. with an opening ceremony and then goes straight into the events, concluding around 1 p.m.

Events include the battle rattle relay, during which all runners wear a 36-pound flack vest, the litter carry race with a 110-pound dummy and tire flips with a 179-pound tire. A new event added this year is the "Heavy Hands"; which has competitors lifting 100-pound dumbbells.

The final event will be the tug-of-war.

Teams have been training for close to two months to prepare for the event.

"This is not an event you just show up for," said Michael Mire, 82nd Training Wing Training Office. "It takes a lot of teamwork and attention to detail to make sure everyone is on the same sheet of music during the events. One mistake can cost you all day."

The hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for the event is part of what makes being in the military so special.

"I'm an athlete and love to compete," said Constructionman Sydney Thorn, Navy detachment student and part of the dets JWC team. "We are working together well, and overall we are having fun out here."

Last year's champion was the 365th Training Squadron, who have dominated the event over the last three years. This is the eighth year overall for the event.

For those who want to watch the event live, the 82nd TRW Public Affairs office will stream the event live on the Sheppard TV channel on UStream, as well as on the base Facebook page.

The broadcast starts at 6:55 a.m. with Dan Hawkins and Kimberly Parker hosting from the base track and features the opening ceremony, live interviews, pre-recorded footage and of course the actual events and trophy presentation.

You can also follow the Sheppard Twitter feed  and look for #SheppardJWC.