SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE. Ill. —
A new competition at Scott Air Force Base had elite teams and squadrons undergoing a unique Warrior Challenge event on May 9.
This event aimed to enhance the wing’s warrior culture by integrating lessons from Scott’s history while testing its readiness and fitness levels to “Deliver Victory” against any adversary.
The day was split into two main areas:
- The Warrior Challenge featured 13 five-person mixed-gender teams rucking the 6.2-mile perimeter of the base with a combined weight of 125 pounds. They were assessed at five locations on their readiness skills in scenarios like Tactical Combat Casualty Care, stress test shooting, runway repair, patient rescue and load, and building cargo pallets for aircraft use.
- The Squadron Cup included nine teams of 25 individuals completing activities focused on teamwork, communication, physical fitness, and problem-solving. They participated in challenges like Agile Combat Employment Leadership Reaction Course, Army Air Corps Radio School Field Exercise, Rifle Fighting and Combatives, and the Marine Combat Fitness Test.
Col. John Poole, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, highlighted the historical relevance of the challenge and its connection to future readiness requirements.
He mentioned the tradition of hosting field days filled with competition during the Army Air Corps era at Scott Field. He created the event to honor this tradition and link it to modern readiness needs.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Faith Akenga, 375th Comptroller Squadron finance technician, and the 375th Wing Staff Agency Warrior Challenge team approaches the finish line ion the contest on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Capable Airmen objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
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The 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron Warrior Challenge team approach the finish line of the contest on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Capable Airmen objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Cramer, 375th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician, prepares cargo netting to be secured onto a pallet during the Warrior Challenge on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Capable Airmen objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bruce Weir, 375th Security Forces Squadron standardization and evaluation chief, clears a room at a stress test shooting trial during the Warrior Challenge on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Capable Airmen objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
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375th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen apply Tactical Combat Casualty Care on a training mannequin during the Warrior Challenge on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Capable Airmen objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
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375th Communications Group Airmen rally around the 375th Communications Squadron dragon heraldry prior to the Warrior Challenge on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Capable Airmen objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Andrews, 375th Air Mobility Wing command chief, places patches on Airmen who placed in the top three teams of the Warrior Challenge on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Ready Airman objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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The Squadron Cup, named after Col. John A. Paegelow, who served as Scott Air Field’s first commander for 10 years during its Lighter-than-Air Era (1923-1933), was awarded to the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron. Held on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024, the Squadron Cup competition featured four distinct components: Agile Combat Employment Leadership Reaction Course, Army Air Corps Radio School Field Exercise, Rifle Fighting and Combatives, and Marine Combat Fitness Test. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Stockdale, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron structural journeyman, low crawls during the Maneuver Under Fire portion of the Marine Combat Fitness Test on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Marine Combat Fitness Test provided a holistic evaluation of the Airmen’s readiness and combat capabilities by navigating through physically demanding challenges to hone their endurance, agility, and combat effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Giliespie, 375th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of police services, relays information to his team during the Army Air Corps Radio School Field Exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Army Air Corps Radio School Field Exercise had teams navigate through different scenarios, like making accurate chess moves simultaneously while hundreds of feet away from each other, effectively communicating and strategically coordinating their actions under a short time limit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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Airmen from the 458th Airlift Squadron, 54th Airlift Squadron and 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, conduct a SALUTE report during the Agile Combat Employment Leadership Reaction Course on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. A team building exercise, Airmen utilized their Ready Airman Training to excel at the ACE Leadership Reaction Course and its individual components in rapid time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Levi Rodney, 375th Operational Support Squadron, Staff Sgt. Dustin Hibler, 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Airman 1st Class Faith Akenga, 375th Comptroller Squadron, pose for a photo after being named Warriors of the Year, during Wing Readiness Day on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. They were awarded knives fashioned after World War I bolo knives produced in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1918. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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Airmen from the 375th Wing Staff Agency pose after winning the Warrior Challenge at Wing Readiness Day on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 9, 2024. The Warrior Challenge was a set of tests for teams to incorporate Multi Ready Airman objectives while creating an opportunity for scenarios to measure decision-making processes, situation assessments as well as quick, effective resolution application. (U.S.