Guardian Challenge: Preparing warrior Airmen for battle

  • Published
  • By Commentary by Capt. Tamara Fischer-Carter
  • 21st Security Forces Squadron
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  What does Guardian Challenge represent for security forces Airmen? First and foremost, it is a tremendous opportunity to prepare our warrior Airmen for battle. Secondly, Guardian Challenge is a competition in which our team will compete at rifle and pistol marksmanship, small unit tactics/mission, and a three mile obstacle course. Team members are selected during a tryout process that includes demonstrations of tactical competency, marksmanship, and a three mile boots and "utes" or uniform run.

This year's 21st Security Forces Squadron Guardian Challenge team consists of Airman 1st Class Nick Kocsis from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Airman 1st Class Jacob Villarimo and Tech. Sgt. Joseph Anderson from the 21st Security Forces Squadron, Senior Airman Walter Varey and Master Sgt. William Comp from Cape Cod AFS, Mass., and the team's leader, Master Sgt. Frank Green, a former Marine now with the 21st SFS.

Prior to the competition, the team faces six weeks of rigorous training which will take them across the Front Range, to various rifle and pistol ranges, to woodlands, plains, and urban areas, all the while carrying approximately 60 pounds of gear per person. The 21st SFS GC team will not become marathon runners, nor will they become weight lifters but, through Sergeant Green's training schedule, they will develop speed, strength, stamina and agility.

The team will practice marksmanship drills before moving on to firing ranges where they will hone their ability to shoot, move and communicate as a team through constant drill and exercise. In addition, they will practice patrolling, attacking and defending. They will become familiar with a large array of communication devices while learning the basics of directing supporting arms such as artillery and mortar fire.

Then, the 21st SFS Guardian Challenge team will compete against other teams from across Air Force Space Command May 16 to 19 at the Air Force Academy. Sergeant Green is fully focused on preparing and leading his Airmen to succeed and survive in harm's way. He understands to do that his team will have to be good.

According to Sergeant Green, the team will have to shoot and communicate better than their adversary, act and react faster and better than their adversary and be smarter than their adversary.

"If, in the process we stomp the guts out of everyone else in the competition, then all the better," he said.

 

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