"At 'em boys, give 'er the guns"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Hurley
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Staff Sgt. Luke Boggs looks on as Ellsworth's seven-person team from 28th Security Forces aims and fires into the heart of five targets.

Sergeant Boggs is a CATM instructor with the responsibility of training the team. The team has practiced hard, shooting six days a week over the last month - in preparation for The Global Strike Challenge, Nov. 13 to 16.

The challenge is a competition between 11 teams from various bases across the nation and includes competitions between aircrew and munitions Airmen. The Security Forces portion is being held at Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The competition is a more challenging version of past competitions such as the Defender and Peacekeeper Challenges, said Master Sgt. Drayton Denson, 28 SFS team advisor.

"Last year they held a Bomber competition," he continued. "It's much more competitive this year. In past competitions, participants knew each challenge and drill. This year, there's an unknown factor with which to contend. The team will be presented with different tactics and different scenarios to which they must adapt and overcome as a team and they will not find out what will be asked of them until they're there."

The team convened Nov. 12 in Louisiana and had a day to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the southern state.

The rules require each competing team to include two first-term Airmen and one Tech. Sgt. Teams are selected by unit leadership based on past P.T. scores, shooting records, past demonstrations of outstanding job knowledge and an absence of negative information in their personal information file. No team may initiate preparatory training earlier than 30 days prior to the challenge's start date.

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Wengler, 28 SFS flight chief, is the Global Strike Challenge team lead and has participated in four Guardian Challenges and four Defender Challenges.

"This is the first time for all of us to compete in this specific challenge," Sergeant Wengler said. "We don't know what to expect. My responsibilities as team lead are to receive the operations order from Global Strike Headquarters and interpret what type of training exercises we need to perform in order to succeed. To this end, my main objective is to work each day to foster team chemistry and ensure the logistical requirements of the team are met. Master Sgt. Denson has been working hand-in-hand with me to make this happen."

Past competitions consisted of completing an obstacle course and tactical events followed by firing drills with the rifle and pistol.

"This time we'll fire rifles and pistols, execute the tactical event and take part in a mental and physical challenge," Sergeant Wengler said. "This consists of a three-mile course comprised of running to each station where we will be tested on map and compass aptitude to find various locations, SALUTE reporting, weapons knowledge and handling including assembly and reassembly as well as function checks."

The team will also be tested on their ability to estimate range distances with the naked eye, and their reactions to near or far ambushes.

"This course is designed to push us to our limit," Sergeant Wengler said. "We're going to be tired and winded as we try to remain alert, maintaining our wits and mental faculties despite physical exhaustion."

With regard to the new Airmen on the team, Sergeant Wengler said he is excited for them to participate in this unique experience.

"This is an outstanding training opportunity," Sergeant Wengler said. "The team members learn invaluable skills and knowledge they can then impart to their respective units and flights when they return."

Airman 1st Class Aaron Simpson and Airman 1st Class Brian Turney, 28th SFS patrolmen and first-term teammates, were roommates at tech school and have been stationed at Ellsworth AFB together since Sept. 2010.

"I feel really lucky because not everyone else who has just arrived here has this kind of opportunity," Airman Turney said. "This is a chance for us to show who we are and make a good first impression. I feel ready."

Airman Simpson's advice to new Airmen is to volunteer for opportunities and strive for excellence in all they do, especially in P.T.

"There are definite benefits to being in shape and doing your best," Airman Simpson said. "Being chosen to participate in this event is an example of one of those benefits."

Both Airmen Simpson and Turney said they are excited to represent the squadron.

"We wouldn't be here if we couldn't maintain and uphold excellent physical and ethical standards," Airman Turney said. "Paying attention to simple things like taking care of what needs to be done and staying out of trouble will get you noticed in a positive way."

Once the team arrives at the armory at 5 a.m., Nov. 13, they will be given their weapons and tasks. Their days will be outlined for them down to the minutest detail including how many hours they will sleep.

The weapons used will range from the M-9, M-4, M-302 and M-340. The M-302 and M-340 are automatic heavy weapons, said Sergeant Denson.

Bombers and maintainers as well as other teams from Ellsworth have already competed with other teams within their specialty. Now it's Security Forces' turn to show their stuff.

"If we do well in our competition, we can earn more points for the entire bomb wing," Sergeant Denson said. "These guys are determined, focused and eager to go down there and do their best."

The various drills the team will undergo are skills that could be required of Security Forces patrolmen day-to-day, in any kind of situation, from home station to a deployed environment, said Sergeant Denson. It is not the standard Air Force qualification course.

"I just want to ensure the base population knows that what happens throughout this particular event is a microcosm of what Security Forces would do in order to protect and defend our Airmen against any contingency or hostility that could come our way," Sergeant Wengler said.