News>Assassins, Barbarians, Commandos go head-to-head
Photos
Airman 1st Class Anthony Sanders, left, 8th Security Force Squadron Assassins flight, sprints from one station to the next as teammates cheer him on during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. During the challenge, flights went head-to-head as they proved their proficiency in skills learned throughout the month. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Senior Airman Mike Ray, 8th Security Force Squadron Assassins flight, keeps watch while a team member programs a radio during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Throughout the competition, teams were expected to display proper team movements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Daniel Sperling, far right, 8th Security Forces Squadron Assassins flight, keeps watch over Alpha flight as they administer self-aid and buddy care during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. From basic military training to deployments, SABC is a skill they will be tested on repeatedly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Competitors from the 8th Security Forces Squadron move an injured comrade during the last leg of the Defenders Challenge held Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. This was just one of many skills on which teams were tested. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
The 8th Security Forces Squadron Bravo flight sprints as a team during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The challenge was held after a month of training during which Airmen newer to the squadron learned combat skills and knowledge from SFS members with previous deployment experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Members from the 8th Security Forces Squadron Commandos flight show their proficiency in reading range cards and programming radios during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Each of the six teams had to perform nine actions, including sprinting in a gas mask and administering self-aid and buddy care. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Nevelle Simmons, 8th Security Force Squadron Barbarians flight, seals off a simulated sucking chest wound during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Self-aid and buddy care was just one of many skills SFS members were tested on during the challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Ryan Salas, 8th Security Forces Squadron Bravo flight, tests a newly-programmed radio during the first event of the Defenders Challenge held Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Teams were timed on their ability to complete an obstacle course as they highlighted combat skills learned during recent training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Ryan Salas, 8th Security Forces Squadron Bravo flight, assembles the bolt carrier for an M4 carbine during the Defenders Challenge Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The SFS members spent weeks training on individual and team tactics before the flights demonstrated who was the most tactically proficient. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Competitors from the 8th Security Forces Squadron take off their gas masks before moving onto the next leg of the Defenders Challenge held Sept. 28, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. As part of the challenge, competitors donned their gas masks and sprint around a field before assembling an M4 carbine and function-checking an M9 handgun. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/3/2012 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Flights from the 8th Security Forces Squadron went head-to-head during the Defenders Challenge held here Sept. 28 to prove who could best execute specific tactics.
The event pitted the Assassins, Barbarians and Commandos flights against each other and an admin team in a showdown of several combat skills vital to defending the base.
Over the past month, newer SFS members focused their training on individual tactics, team tactics, nighttime training, self-aid and buddy care, 9-line medical evacuations and more.
"A lot of our NCOs have been in Iraq or Afghanistan and engaged in combat, so they took those lessons learned and imparted them on our younger Airmen," said Lt. Col. Nathan Schalles, the squadron's commander.
Each team had to complete the same events: read a range card and program a radio, then sprint to and push a quarter-ton truck between cones. Next, they donned gas masks and sprinted around a field before assembling an M4 rifle and function-checking an M9 handgun. After removing their gas masks, they sprinted again to treat a comrade's simulated sucking chest wound before carrying him to the finish line.
Senior Airman Michael Ray was one participant who said the gas mask run was one of the most difficult parts.
"About halfway through the run, it got tiring," said Ray. "Events like this definitely help with morale in the squadron. As cops, we have a higher level of rivalry so this friendly competition felt good."
Although it was just a competition, they will fall back on these skills in a real-world situation.
"This is what SFS is all about. We like to show what we know, and I personally think it's a lot of fun to come out here and compete," said Airman 1st Class Skylar Bird, who represented Bravo flight's first element. "But at the same time, we would defend the base if North Korea ever attacked. I'm comfortable knowing we all can do our jobs properly so we could defend the base and protect everyone here."
Although each team pushed their limits, the day ended with Assassins, element two being named the victors.
"These are the skills our guys will need in wartime, so they need to realize the basics count, especially in a stressful situation," said Schalles. "The Airmen know we'll be doing this challenge again, so you can see them already trying to figure out how to come back stronger."
