AFGSC Airmen compete in 2018 Air Force Defender Challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tristan Truesdell
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
After a 14-year hiatus the Air Force Defender Challenge returns, pitting security forces teams from U.S. Air Force major commands, Great Britain and Germany Sept. 10-14.

Air Force Global Strike Command selected defenders throughout the MAJCOM, with Barksdale Air Force Base providing the team coach, Tech. Sgt. Krystoffer Miller, 2nd Security Forces Squadron future operations NCO in charge.


“During these four days, the [team] will go through four different competitions,” said Miller. “There’s going to be mental and physical demands with everything expeditionary a security forces defender, across the Air Force, should know before going out the door.”

Prior to the competition, the team trained at Fort Harrison Army Base, Montana, for two weeks. Airmen improved their vigilance and knowledge of weapon firing, tactics, land navigation, and leadership skills.

The team consists of six defenders representing the MAJCOM:

Malmstrom Air Force Base
Tech. Sgt. Bradley Akers, 341st Security Support Squadron weapons and tactics NCO in charge
Senior Airman Tyler Arevalo, 341st Security Support Squadron tactical response force member

Minot Air Force Base
2nd Lieutenant Jonas Daniecki, 5th Security Forces Squadron flight commander
Senior Airman Rosa Young, 891st Missile Security Forces Squadron member

Whiteman Air Force Base
Staff Sgt. Katlyn Porter, 509th Security Forces Squadron evaluator

F. E. Warren Air Force Base
Airman 1st Class Christopher Jackson, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron response force leader

Teams will be competing at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, for the Sadler Cup, named after Maj. Gen. Thomas Sadler.

With the return of the competition and its various events, the goal is to promote lethality and capability with Security Forces Airmen.

“Whether it’ll be physical, some type of tactics, weapons manipulation or shooting,” said Arevalo. “I’m hoping the other teams come with the best they’ve got, because that’s what we’re bringing. We’re going to give it all we can and see where we stand.”