Like a challenge? Try Guardian Challenge! Published April 22, 2008 By Ed White Air Force Space Command Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Whether you are a mechanic, a security forces team member, a member of a missile combat operations crew, a missile and space launch maintenance professional, a satellite operations crew member, a helicopter pilot or a space communicator, Guardian Challenge is for you. Air Force Space Command's space warfighter competition, Guardian Challenge 2008 is a proving ground for both people and operational efficiencies. It pits the best from every wing within the command against each other and sends the very clear message to the world that AFSPC space warriors stand ready to perform their mission around the clock. This year's competition will reach its pinnacle May 7-9 throughout the command. Maj. Rickey McCann, the 21st Space Wing's Guardian Challenge liaison, said the event serves as a morale booster as well as a good training exercise. "I just see the importance of what this brings to the operators and the mission," said the major, who has been involved with Guardian Challenge for several years, both as an organizer and a participant. "It really helps with the overall effectiveness." The 21st SW will have a total of 16 people from the 6th Space Warning Squadron, 721st and 21st Security Forces Squadrons, 21 Space Communications Squadron and Royal Air Force Fylingdales participating in the competition. The competition is an established event within the command and goes back to its inception in 1967. In its 41-year history, it has been an increasingly effective tool that has helped to maintain high levels of skill throughout the command. It has improved readiness and warfighting capabilities through preparation and innovation by the competing teams and crosstalk after the event. Many of the tactics, techniques and procedures used throughout have been sharpened and refined in the furnace of competition. Also competing are units from the 30th Space Wing from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.; the 45th Space Wing from Patrick AFB, Fla.; the 50th Space Wing and 310th Space Wing from Schriever AFB, Colo.; the 90th Space Wing from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; the 91st Space Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.; the 341st Space Wing from Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and the 460th Air Base Wing at Buckley AFB, Colo. For updates, schedules and score posting, visit www.afspc.af.mil and click on the Guardian Challenge shield. For complete coverage on the 21st SW's involvement in Guardian Challenge, click here.