Joint Warrior Challenge Published May 18, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 365th Training Squadron's team ran, carried and lifted its way to the championship May 16 during the Sixth Annual Joint Warrior Challenge. Twenty-Five teams from the Air Force, Army and Navy competed in the events to boost morale and build camaraderie among the services. More than 2,000 Airman, Sailors and Soldiers turned out for the Armed Forces Day event. The teams competed in a 2-mile run with a 30-pound rucksack, 150-pound litter carry, tire flip, taken from the Strongman competition and would have competed in a tug-of-war, but it was canceled due to inclement weather. The tire flip, a new event this year, replaced the rock wall from the previous year's competition as the event committee anticipated rain. Capt. Brian Harrison, from the 782nd Training Group, explained the purpose of the event was to build or relationship with the other branches stationed here at Sheppard. "The event was established to build morale and inspire competition between our joint forces at Sheppard," he said. Some of the Airmen involved with the event said it did just that. Airmen were happy to compete against their joint service comrades if only for a chance to prove they are the best. "We love to compete; the other branches keep us on our toes, that's why we come out to prove we're the best," said Airman 1st Class Ethan Stark, a C-130 crew chief in training. One Airmen said he was thankful for the opportunity, he said that it gives the Airmen in Training an opportunity to get out of the dorms and do something while staying out of trouble. Captain Harrison said he sees a long future for the event at Sheppard. "This will continue as long as leadership finds it useful...hopefully for a long time," he said. A competition for permanent party members here at Sheppard will take place on May 19. This will be the inaugural warrior challenge for the permanent party members.