'David' beats 'Goliath' at annual Joint Warrior Challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Garbed in all black, they huddled around each other while their coach screamed at them, "You've trained hard for this."

The 363rd Training Squadron scored in top two of every event and sprinted away from the competition, as Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors celebrated Armed Forces Day at Sheppard by participating in the 9th annual Joint Warrior Challenge, June 7, 2014, at the base's one-mile track.

President Harry S. Truman established Armed Forces Day in 1950 as a salute to service members of the present. The men and women of Team Sheppard aimed to embody the warrior ethos and bond together as brothers and sisters in arms for the physically grueling challenge. The event is meant to honor current servicemen and women in a display of pride in the joint environment.

"Before the event, coach shared the story of David and Goliath with us," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Johnson, 363rd TRS military training leader, speaking about team coach Mike Mire. "Our team was one of the smaller teams out here and we knew it wouldn't be an easy task to win."

The challenge itself consisted of multiple physically demanding events that pushed the military members to their limits. The winning team would receive a trophy and the title Joint Warrior Challenge champions.

The 17 multi-service teams competed in a two-mile battle rattle relay during which all runners wore a 36-pound flak vest, each sprinting a quarter mile to reach the next member. A litter carry race with an 80-pound dummy where participants had to load onto a stretcher and maneuver over and under and obstacle. The third event, participants flipped a 190-pound tire for 10-meters. Competitors also took on heavy hands, an event which individuals carried carry two 100-pound dumbbells for 40 yards. The final event for the day was a tug-of-war. According to team coaches, participants spent months training and preparing for the event. The hard work and effort displayed before and during the event epitomized the value of teamwork. For some Airmen, the Joint Warrior Challenge presented the unique opportunity to meet and socialize with others.

"All competition boosts morale," said Airman Alex Lewandowski, 361st TRS aerospace ground equipment student. "I would never have seen some of the people here if it weren't for this."

Crowds of cheering Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors surrounded each event, shouting their squadron chants and providing motivation. "Even though some of us weren't competing, we still act as a team," said Airman 1st Class Ilene Thompson, 363rd TRS AMMO student. After the competition was completed and the scores were tallied, the 362nd TRS won second and third place for the second year in a row. But, it was the green team of the 363rd TRS who outlasted every other team, pulling the trophy and bragging rights into their corner - at least until next year.