An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 21, 2019

Tongan marines compete with Nevada Guard Soldiers

By Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka Nevada National Guard

HAWTHORNE, Nev. – Although central Nevada is unlikely to host the Olympic Games, the remote city of Hawthorne did serve as the unlikely site for the first Nevada National Guard international military contest held in conjunction with Nevada’s State Partnership Program.

Four Tongan Marines competed alongside eight Nevada Army National Guard Soldiers for the title of “Best Warrior” last week in a variety of events contested at the Hawthorne Army Depot, the world’s largest ammunition depot.

The National Guard’s State Partnership Program teams Nevada with the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Fiji in an ongoing series of engagements that broach a broad spectrum of military, civilian, economic and social topics.

Nevada and the Kingdom of Tonga established their partnership in 2014, but last week’s event marked the first time the Tonga armed forces participated in the Nevada Guard annual Best Warrior contest. Fiji sent two military observers to watch this year’s Best Warrior contest and is set to send participants to Nevada next year.

The Army’s Best Warrior contest has been contested Army-wide since 2002 and could be described as a military decathlon featuring a variety of events, including tests of physical fitness, marksmanship and Army knowledge. All told during the three days of competition March 12-14, the 12 athletes were scored in 11 different disciplines. The winner of the Best Warrior contest is also declared the Nevada Army Guard’s Soldier of the Year.

In the end, a former U.S. Marine-turned-Nevada Army Guard cavalry Soldier, Spc. Tyler Davis, 29, of Las Vegas, emerged as the Best Warrior just ahead of second-place Pvt. Sione Lonitenisi of the Tongan Marines.

Davis admitted the Tongans, who performed exceptionally well despite being unaccustomed to Hawthorne’s elevation and winter temperatures, put a lot of stress on the home-state Soldiers.

“I absolutely felt the pressure,” said Davis, a motor transport operator in D Company, 1-221st Cavalry based in Las Vegas. “They are very-well rounded Marines. We realized they were winning many of the events.”

Maj. Tomaakino Tu’itavuki, the Tongan officer accompanying the Marines, said the performance by his South Pacific contingent left him pleasantly surprised. The other Tongans who competed were Pvt. Saevii Tonga, Pvt. Sione Atoa and Pvt. Dimitirous Polisima.

“I was expecting we would take the last four places,” Tu’itavuki said. “We have never trained in this type of weather or ever experienced this elevation. But our team has remained flexible and battled through three days of competition.”

Nevada Guard officials said Hawthorne was chosen as the location for the contest because it is one of the few sites in Nevada with all of the venues for a Best Warrior contest, including marksmanship ranges and land navigation courses.

Lt. Col. Randy Lau, the director of the Nevada Guard’s State Partnership Program, said the multi-day competition achieved its goals on multiple levels.

“The contest was successful because it allowed partners to share military best practices, become familiar with new military techniques and assess what we should do in the future,” Lau said. “The overarching success, though, was the fact we continued to build and foster a strong relationship with our partner countries.”

Davis and the first-place finisher in the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year category, Sgt. Conor Czyzniejewski, 23, of the 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, now advance to represent the Nevada Guard in the Region VII Best Warrior contest. That event will also take place in Hawthorne in mid-May and include the top Soldiers from eight western states and territories. Lonitenisi will also be invited to represent Tonga.

 

 

Related Articles
Civic leaders and newly commissioned U.S. Air Force pilot trainees gather with the 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew following an aerial refueling mission during Red Flag-Alaska 25-2, June 24, 2025. The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to witness the complex coordination and precision required for refueling U.S. and allied aircraft in flight. This experience highlighted the critical role the 168th Wing plays in sustaining readiness and strengthening defense capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 3, 2025
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing hosted a civic leader flight June 24 that offered local leaders an opportunity to view an aerial refueling mission over the Joint Pacific Alaska...

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Command Surgeon and staff, along with the Ohio National Guard, visit medical students and doctors at the American Corner prior to attending the Platinum Wolf 25 Distinguished Visitor day in Bujanovac, Serbia, June 26, 2025. PW25 is an exercise focused on regional stability, partnership, and interoperability between the U.S., regional forces, and the Serbian Armed Forces, marking the first time Stamp and his staff attended in support of the medical teams that participated in the exercise.
Ohio Guard Attends Exercise Platinum Wolf in Serbia
By 1st Lt. Kaseyann Cornwall, | July 3, 2025
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Several high-ranking officials from U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, or USAFE-AFAFRICA, and the Ohio National Guard participated in the June 26 Distinguished Visitor day at Exercise...

A UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation, 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard conducts water bucket training with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, June 30, 2025, near Puyallup, Wash.
Washington Army Guard Trains in Water Bucket Operations
By Joseph Siemandel, | July 2, 2025
PUYALLUP, Wash. - To prepare for wildfire season, aviation crews from the Washington Army National Guard have been working to become certified in water bucket operations, completing as many repetitions as possible while...