Joint Warrior Challenge

  • Published
  • By Second Lieutenant Sara Harper
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines celebrated Armed Forces Week at Sheppard Air Force Base by participating in the Joint Warrior Challenge May 19 at the base track.

The Joint Warrior Challenge is a series of physically demanding events that military members compete in as a team to receive the title of "Joint Warrior Challenge Champions."

This year's events consisted of the three-mile relay during which all runners wore a 36-pound flack vest, the litter carry race with a 110-pound dummy and tire flips with a 179-pound tire. The day ended with the showing of brute strength through tug-of-war.

The events were chosen to promote skills that could save lives downrange in a deployed location.

"In combat they may have to run to save a fellow Soldier or Airman, so they have to get that training on how to move in these different environments," said Master Sgt. Terry Petteway, Joint Warrior Challenge event coordinator.

Training for the Joint Warrior Challenge started in April, and some Airmen trained for up to two hours a day. The hard work and dedication that went into preparing for the event showed the true value of teamwork.

"The events really bring us together, closer as a squadron and closer as a team," Airman Demario Jones, 361st Maintenance Squadron said. "We are working together well, and overall we are having fun out here."

Teamwork, squadron pride, comradery and having fun were the takeaways on Saturday.

"What this creates for the troops and each squadron is a lot of esprit de corp. It boosts morale, especially building up to the competition, and it's all about teamwork for them," Petteway said.

The Joint Warrior Challenge was a way to celebrate Armed Forces Day, and Tech. Sgt. John Caudill explains why the military takes time to commemorate the day.

"Armed Forces Day is a day to recognize the service members of the present, which makes it different from Memorial Day and Veteran's Day," said Caudill. "Today we come to honor our current service men and women through pride in the joint environment."

"We are one team, one fight, one big family whether you are Air Force, Army, Navy or Marines," said Tech. Sgt. Ruben Rodriguez, a team coach.

The champions for this year's Joint Warrior Challenge were the 365th Training Squadron, Team 1.