WC Missouri News

The Air Force Global Strike Command emerged victorious in the recent Readiness Challenge X competition, showcasing their engineering skills and determination over a grueling six-day event. Capt. Matt Lawler, the team leader, expressed the team's dedication, saying, "It feels great to win and it’s a testament to how bad we wanted it and how much effort we put into every event."

The competition, which took place at Tyndall’s Silver Flag Exercise Site, saw teams from various branches and coalition partners engaging in a series of challenges. The top two teams, including Air Mobility Command in second place, were recognized for their exceptional performance.

Senior Master Sgt. Brad Johaness highlighted the importance of the event in fostering camaraderie and skills development among the participants. He mentioned, "Having our sister services here from the Army and Marines, as well as the coalition partners and allied partners who joined the teams, allowed us to engage across the branches and see where our strengths are while enjoying a little friendly competition along the way."

The competition aimed to test teams in over 25 engineering skills in a simulated deployment environment. Various awards were presented to individuals who displayed outstanding enthusiasm and dedication throughout the challenges.

Maj. Gen. John Allen emphasized the significance of including Services support members in the competition, stating, "We brought Services back out here with us. We’re recovering airfields, doing all the testing and all the expedient tactics that our Services teammates bring to the fight as well."

The event also welcomed newcomers such as an expeditionary airbase team, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and international participants. Master Sgt. Douglas Dees highlighted the importance of interoperability and readiness assessment, stating, "We showcased interoperability, not only with our sister services but with international partners and tested our readiness as a whole force to see where we stand."

Brig. Gen. William Kale commended the skills demonstrated during the competition, emphasizing their relevance in future operations. He mentioned, "These are the types of skills we need down range and in the future fight. And we also need our coalition of joint partners alongside us in that fight."

The Readiness Challenge X not only provided a platform for friendly competition but also served as a valuable opportunity for participants to enhance their skills, build relationships, and prepare for future challenges in a joint environment.