Wolf Pack tackles the Combat Challenge

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Wolf Pack members begin a 2.6 mile run during the 8th Security Forces Squadron Combat Challenge held at Kunsan Air Base Oct. 9. There were 14 teams of four individuals competing in the challenge but the team consisting of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Gamache, Tech. Sgt. Eric Adams, Airman 1st Class Michael Willman and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Geren, from the 8th SFS won the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Roy Lynch)

Wolf Pack tackles the Combat Challenge

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Kunsan members dissemble and reassemble an M-16 for the fastest time during the 8th Security Forces Squadron Combat Challenge Oct.9.The Combat Challenge consisted of a four-member team working together to compete various activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Wolf Pack tackles the Combat Challenge

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Tech. Sgt. Dion Thompson, Senior Airman Mark Alvarado, Tech. Sgt. Mathew Fenik and Airman Manuel Fralick, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron, push a humvee during the 8th Security Forces Squadron Combat Challenge Oct.9.The Combat Challenge consisted of a four-member team working together to compete various activities.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Wolf Pack tackles the Combat Challenge

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Members from the 8th Security Forces Squadron take an Air Force knowledge test during the 8 SFS Combat Challenge Oct. 9.The Combat Challenge consisted of a four-member team working together to compete various activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Wolf Pack tackles the Combat Challenge

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Senior Airman Curtis Raines and Tech. Sgt James Peck, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron, fire their M9 pistol at a target during the 8th Secuirty Forces Squadron Combat Challenge Oct.9.The Combat Challenge consisted of a four member team working together to compete various activities.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Wolf Pack takes on combat challenge

Published Oct. 15, 2009
By Senior Airman Roy Lynch
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The 8th Security Forces Squadron held a Combat Challenge for Wolf Pack Airmen here Oct. 9. The physical and mental test that lasted throughout the day only saw one winner ... the 8th Security Forces Squadron, Dream Team, who won the Combat Challenge with the shortest time.

"This is our first Combat Challenge done here at the Wolf Pack and hopefully this will turn into an annual competition," said Lt. Col. Robert Frederiksen, 8th Security Forces Squadron commander. "The mission of the Combat Challenge is to prepare us to defend the base."

Also, the purpose of the Combat Challenge is to provide a physically and mentally challenging course that builds teamwork and is fun. It also tests Air Force core knowledge. There were 14 teams of four individuals participating.

"We hope to achieve motivation and camaraderie between the teams," said Colonel Frederiksen, "and to challenge every individual to push themselves to their limit, so they know what their body can handle."

The challenge started with a 4.8-mile ruck march (with rucks weighing 50 pounds) and a 2.6-mile run. Two members from each team ruck marched while the other two ran. Everyone ended up at the firing range for the next set of events.

Once there participants were given a knowledge test. Questions for the portion of the event were pulled from the Airman's Manual and general Air Force knowledge. Then participants fired 15 shots from an M9 pistol and disassembled and re-assembled an M4 carbon rifle. After those tasks were complete, challengers ran to the football field and took a break.

After lunch, the real physical test began. Teams competed in ranger push-ups, buddy carry, low crawl, and a tire flip. The last physical test consisted of a four-man High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle push with an extra added twist; all participants had to wear a gas mask.

Upon the words, "Gas, Gas, Gas," team members donned their gas masks and started pushing the HMMWV the required 100 meters, completing the Combat Challenge.

The Combat Challenge was based on time. Normal timed events like the ruck march and the run had to be completed in a certain time or a penalty time would have been added. During the shooting events, how many shots hit the target subtracted time and shots that didn't hit the target added time. While right answers in the knowledge section subtracted time and wrong answers added time to the participants overall score. This decided the winner of the challenge.

"I did a good job; my team did a good job, we had fun, that's all that matters," said Senior Airman Blake Greene, 8 SFS.