SF Airmen compete in annual combat challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Defenders from the 341st Security Forces Group participated in the annual Aces Cop Combat Challenge here Sept. 8.

Thirteen teams of five Airmen pushed, pulled, crawled and ran their way around base battling through 11 obstacles and running a 4-mile course.

The obstacles tested the strength, stamina, agility, focus and teamwork of the Airmen while they ran the course, blindly crawled their way through a field to find an ammo can, pulled a large tractor tire, pushed a Humvee down the flight line and completed as many group pushups as possible in two minutes while enduring the muddy obstacle of Team Pain.

“The events see how we work together as a team,” said Airman 1st Class Daniel Pierce, 341st Security Forces Support Squadron convoy response force member and event participant. “It also shows how we overcome different problems in the field and see if people will step into leadership roles.”

Pierce said his favorite part about the entire competition was firing an M9 pistol and that he wouldn’t mind having the challenge twice a year.

“This event is a lot of fun because everyone comes together, everyone is on the same level and it’s a family-based day," said Pierce. "It’s really nice to see the family aspect.”

Staff Sgt. Bradley Akers, 341st SSPTS tactical response force NCO in charge of training and competition lead, said in addition to building camaraderie and boosting morale, the competition allows defenders to practice some of what they are already trained to do.

“We are the largest security forces group in the Air Force working 24/7 year-round,” Akers said. “It’s important for us to find time to hone and test our skills.”

The following titles were awarded for first place of each category:

Best squadron: 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron

Team Pain: Staff Sgt. Daniel Orcutt, Senior Airmen Tyler Smith and Tyler Arevalo, and Airmen 1st Class Caesar Del Vaglo and Trevor Coronado

Best firing team: Staff Sgt. Brayden Morrow; Senior Airmen Cameron Hamilton, Austin Steed and Richard Corpus-Munoz; and Airman 1st Class Benjamin Tanner

Best fire team leader: Staff Sgt. Edgar Carrero

Best fire team member: Senior Airman Tyler Smith