BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 2021 Global Strike Challenge kicked off last week for some members of the 2nd Security Forces Squadron with try-outs at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, June 8, 2021.
The Global Strike Challenge is the world’s premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, helicopter operations and security forces competition featuring units from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air National Guard.
The try-out events started at 5 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. The events included a ruck run; a Keep In Memory game where participants are given five minutes to look at items laid out for them, put through an intense workout, and asked later in the day to write down as many details as they can remember about those items; Combat Arms Training and Maintenance firing of an M4 rifle and an M18 pistol; a land navigation portion where each member will have only a compass and a map to navigate to a destination; some small unit tactics where participants engaged in close quarter battles with one another and worked in small groups to achieve mission goals; and an interview with the team coach.
The participants take pride in the competition and look forward to showing what they can do to represent their squadron.
“This is a great opportunity for us as Airmen in security forces to train and help us get better at what we do to complete our mission if the need arises,” said Senior Airman Brandon Troglia, 2nd SFS combat arms instructor. “I wish more people would come out and accept this challenge. We need to continue to train in times of peace to prepare for times of war.”
The competition is designed to enhance readiness, lethality, teamwork, competitive spirit, and recognize the “best of the best” in weapons systems and technical expertise.
“This competition is bringing out the best in me and the other participants as well,” said Troglia. “It makes me feel good to know while we are out here training to get better, our adversaries are probably still sleeping or getting coffee to start their morning.”
The challenge consists of three elements to decide a winner including a time trial shooting of the M4 rifle, M8 armored weapon system, M249 light machine gun, and an M320 grenade launcher; A small unit tactics portion; as well as a land navigation portion.
“We tried to make the try-outs as similar to the real thing competition as possible, but there is no doubt the actual competition will be more intense,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Enderud, 2nd SFS unit deployment manager. “The one thing I look for as coach of the team during try-outs is for the members not to quit. I’m looking for them to be determined and willing to do what needs to be done to finish.”
Connecting heritage and mission, the Global Strike Challenge traces its roots to the Strategic Air Command’s bomber, weapons loading, and missile competitions. However, it is unique when compared to SAC’s competitions because it includes operations, maintenance, and security forces participants from the missile and bomber communities, launching a new tradition that celebrates the past.
“I’m really looking forward to this year’s competition with last year being kind of different due to COVID-19,” said Enderud. “Bringing home that Global Strike Challenge trophy will mean so much for not only the 2nd SFS but for the 2nd Bomb Wing. I think it is so important to recognize what these Airmen are doing and for people to give their support while these Airmen represent Barksdale AFB.”
The Global Strike Challenge will take place Sep. 2021 at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming. with the score posting and trophy presentations to follow.