28 SFS displays skills in competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  As Airman 1st Class Amber Motske, 28th Security Forces response force leader, carefully and steadily aims her M-4 Carbine at the Combat Arms Training and Marksmanship range target, she also silently challenges five other bomb wings in an Air Combat Command competition that hasn't taken place in more than ten years.

Airman Motske and three other members of 28 SFS, competed in the security forces portion of Operation Giant Sword II here, Feb. 19.

The competition is a weapons loading and security forces competition similar to competitions held previously by then-Strategic Air Command.

Unlike the 28th Maintenance Group portion of the competition, which took place here, Feb. 12, the security forces portion evaluated competitors on individual physical fitness scores, a 20-question written test, job-position proficiency and a detailed scoring of individual weapons firing capability.

The weapons firing portion concluded the competition, and included a segment where the Airmen were required to fire at targets while wearing their full alert gear - helmet, flack vest and gas mask.

The presence of the Eighth AF inspector added to the intensity of the competition, but the 28 SFS team felt confident of their chances, said Senior Airman Adam Casteel, 28 SFS instructor and the team chief for the competition.

"We've put a lot of hours into this competition," Airman Casteel said. "As members of security forces, we're already a team with one fight."

Tech. Sgt. Drayton Denson, 28 SFS instructor, was also present during the weapons firing portion and noted the team members dedication.

"These guys have been practicing non-stop for two weeks," Sergeant Denson said. "You can tell they really want to do their best in this competition."

Tech. Sgt. Stephen Boyd, Eighth AF NCO in charge of security operations, from Barksdale AFB, La., was the inspector for the security forces portion of the competition and in charge of detailing the scores during the weapons firing portion.

Sergeant Boyd evaluated the four other participating bomber bases including, the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo.

The weapons firing portion of the competition left Sergeant Boyd with only compliments for the hard work of the 28 SFS competitors.

"Confidence in your ability to shoot goes a long way in this competition and you have to be able to work as a team," Sergeant Boyd said. "This unit did really well and they looked like they were ready to get this competition done."

This competition marks the first ACC participation in Giant Sword II since 1994. The competitions were previously used by SAC as a means to motivate crews and were referred to as Giant Sword II.

The Eight Air Force's decision to restore the competitions was a means of promoting esprit de corps among Airmen and challenging them while making them more security conscious in their jobs, Sergeant Boyd said.

The results for each bomber base will be compiled Feb. 26, after Whiteman, the final bomb wing to compete in the security forces portion of the load competition, is evaluated.