RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Twenty-seven security forces members within the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa competed in the 2020 USAFE Defender Challenge at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 4-6.
“If we want to consider ourselves as some of the elite, then we need to train like the elites do,” said Staff Sgt. Bryce Neff, 496th Air Base Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of plans and programs.
Throughout the competition, the Defenders had to run five miles in full “battle rattle” wearing a 40-pound ruck sack, complete a series of high intensity exercises before firing 56 rounds from various distances up to 300 meters and completely exhaust themselves in a combat agility test racing against the clock for the fastest time.
“We put these individuals through challenges to make them develop as a leader,” said Master Sgt. David Day, Headquarters USAFE weapons system security manager. “When they go back to their units, they are able to instill that Warrior Ethos into their Airmen while also influencing the leaders above them in the chain of command.”
The challenges were based on security forces basic training guidelines, specifically testing the Defender’s abilities to execute tactics involved in the everyday tasks they may face daily.
