FORT SMITH, Ark. – Security forces Airmen from across the United States gathered at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Jan. 21-25 to train for the Defender Challenge, a competition between security forces.
The training introduced the Airmen who compose the Air National Guard’s team to each other as they trained on skills while identifying their strengths and learning to work together as a team.
“They got some valuable training and came together as a team so that the next training iteration they can build on that and hopefully come into the competition and take first place,” said Master Sgt. Frank Koeth, 188th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) training manager, who facilitated on-site amenities and equipment for the team.
Fort Chaffee was selected as the practice ground due to its quality facilities for skills that will be tested at the Defender Challenge, including shooting and marksmanship, land navigation, combat and wartime tasks, and law enforcement scenarios.
“It was an awesome opportunity to actually come out here because at my Guard base, we don’t have anything like this,” said Senior Master Sgt. Bradley Rose, Defender Challenge team member. “It gets everything that we need accomplished.”
The Defender Challenge competition will be held at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, in May.
Members of the Air National Guard’s team include Rose, 185th SFS;1st Lt. Christopher Woody, 138th SFS; Master Sgt. Gregory Wardle, 153rd SFS; Tech. Sgt. Dedrick Baublitz, 103rd SFS; Tech. Sgt. Christopher Reed, 110th SFS; Staff Sgt. Jonathan Finer 124th SFS; and team coach Master Sgt. Jeffery Carter, 187th SFS.