Malmstrom's GSC security forces team primed to defend title

  • Published
  • By John Turner
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  As the 341st Missile Wing's Global Strike Challenge 2015 Security Forces team deploys to Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, next week to compete in Air Force Global Strike Command's annual Security Forces competition, the team's six members have a clear line of sight on their objective: Defend its claim to the Charlie Fire Team Trophy the wing secured last year.

Challengers from AFGSC's other five wings, as well as from seven additional units invited to compete, will make this a hot engagement as they all attempt to wrest the trophy for Best Security Forces from the 341st MW. The final scores will be revealed in October.

The competition highlights the proud tradition of Air Force Security Forces and is open to military personnel in the SF career field including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units. Events will test small unit tactics, marksmanship with various weapons, and the team's mental and physical capability to perform common core tasks under less than ideal conditions.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony Richards, team leader for the 341st MW's team, is confident that Malmstrom will repeat last year's victory. He was head coach for the 2014 team when it garnered the trophy as well as Best Security Forces Tactics and Best Security Forces M4 Shooter awards. This year he will be in the arena as a competitor.

"We have a really good training regimen," he said. "Our mentality, our being on the same level, is what sets us apart from the other teams, and it's what will make us win."

Richards has been at Malmstrom three years and is a flight chief in the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron. He was recently selected for promotion to master sergeant. Richards describes himself as a family man and likes to spend time with his family and dog. His 'other hobby' is competing to win, he said.

To meet the challenge, tryouts were open to all members of the 341st Security Forces Group at the end of July. Eleven members were chosen for the initial training team. The final team was decided after two intensive weeks at Fort Harrison, Montana. Richards will lead five other team members in the competition Sept. 21-25 that will represent all of the approximately 1,400 cops at Malmstrom.

1st Lt. Jonathan Jopling, team member, has been assigned to Malmstrom almost two years and is a flight commander in the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron. He said preparing for GSC--his first--has enhanced his leadership and communication skills.

"It has been a really good time with a lot of really good training opportunities," Jopling said. "I'm learning a lot from these guys who have a lot more experience. I'm soaking it all in."

Jopling is from Louisiana and was commissioned through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He enjoys fishing, hiking and staying active in Montana's outdoors.

This is the second GSC competition for Staff Sgt. Bradley Akers, team member, who has been at Malmstrom for a little over a year.

"We're going to bring home that trophy again this year," Akers said.

As a returning competitor and assistant flight chief in the 741st MSFS, he brings seven years of Air Force experience and an open mind to the team.

"Even though I've been around the block a few times I'm not too good to learn something new," Akers said.

Akers is from Ohio. In his off-duty time he enjoys yard work and time with his wife and child.

Senior Airman William Lamb, team member, is also a returning competitor. In his two and a half years at Malmstrom, he has experience as a missile field cop and is currently a nuclear advanced designated marksman and assaulter with the 741st MSFS tactical response force. He said that as a veteran of the competition, his insight makes him a leader in this year's team.

"I was in a couple of these guys' position last year and I'm in a bigger role this year," Lamb said. "We won it last year so it's expected of us this year. It's big shoes to fill."

Lamb hails from Virginia and enjoys video games, fantasy football and working out.

Senior Airman Tyler Arevalo, team member, is competing in GSC for the first time. Originally from California, he has been at Malmstrom a little more than a year and is assigned to the 341st MSFS. He said the training for GSC has been the most fun he's had in his career so far.

"I take what I learn during the day and keep thinking about it at night," Arevalo said. "That way I don't lose any of the muscle memory of what we've been going over. And keeping in good contact with my teammates helps me to know them and how they operate."

Arevalo enjoys time at home with his newborn son.

Airman 1st Class Jessica Ortiz-Villa, team member, has been at Malmstrom--her first duty station--for a little more than a month and is assigned to the 741st MSFS. She hails from Iowa and enjoys soccer, hiking and working out. This is her first GSC competition.

While Ortiz-Villa was surprised to have been selected for the team, she is excited to compete and is ready to win.

"I think these are amazing people with a lot of experience," Villa-Ortiz said. "I'm getting as much as I can from all of them."

Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork at various locations throughout the country, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities. More than 450 Airmen from across AFGSC, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country.