Teamwork key to success at security forces competition

Published Nov. 7, 2011
By Capt. Karen Mock
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

CAMP MINDEN, La. -- The Charlie Fire Team Trophy was once again at stake as Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command and the Air Force Reserve brought their unit's top security forces members here Nov. 3-7 to compete head-to-head in Global Strike Challenge.

The Charlie Fire Team Trophy recognizes the security forces "best of the best" through competition. After competing in weapons and tactics competition over the weekend, nine elite security forces teams competed in the mental and physical Challenge, or "MAP Challenge," here Monday.

"Our guys are more physically fit than what they were last year," said Lt. Col. Travis Harsha, 5th Security Forces Squadron Commander. "We took what we learned from last year and focused mainly on physical fitness because of how grueling and taxing it was last year."

The teams competed a rigorous challenge course and were evaluated for endurance, agility and accuracy. Participants demonstrated a range of combat, survival and reconnaissance skills while enduring strenuous physical activities.

"I think we did a real good job as a team that's what we've really been focusing on, it's really not the physical aspect just working together as a team to push each other," said Senior Airman Matthew Baugh, 5th Security Forces Squadron.

"We focused on basic generalist security forces tactics," said 1st Lt. Octavio Gaeta, 509th Security Forces Squadron team coach. "I didn't want to have them trained up on anything too specific just because you never know what to expect at competitions like this."

Team members said they prepared for more than a month working on various skills--some of which helped, some of which didn't. According to competitors, teamwork was the key to success.

For the 509th Security Forces Squadron, winner of the Charlie Fire Team Trophy last year, team cohesion and communication came in handy throughout the competition, competitors said.

Supporters were also a key element of the competition. More than 200 supporters cheered as each team pushed its humvee down a road that spanned the distance of two football fields.

"That humvee push was definitely, definitely tough, I thought we were pushing that thing uphill the whole way," said Staff Sgt. Kyle Douglass, 509th Security Forces Squadron.

Participating teams are from Malmstrom AFB, Mont; Minot AFB, N.D.; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; Whiteman AFB, Mo.; Dyess AFB, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, S.D. and Barksdale AFB, La.

Results of the security forces competition--and winner of the coveted Charlie Fire Team Trophy--will be announced during the Global Strike Challenge scoreposting event Nov. 8 at Barksdale's Hoban Hall.