Combat fitness to stay combat ready

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman BrieAnna Stillman
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Team Shaw members from the 20th Security Forces Squadron participated in a form of physical fitness designed to target all muscle groups as well as improve endurance and target real life scenarios.

Staff Sgt. Marcos Greco, 20th SFS installation patrolman, got the idea to start a combat fitness test from his old leadership, Chief Master Sgt Brady McCoy and Maj. David Lycan.

This type of physical fitness helps ensure the defenders are in optimal physical and mental shape for tier two testing. Air Force specialty codes are broken up into three different tiers depending on the need for physical fitness.

Tier one is for jobs such as pararescue and more special forces type jobs. Tier two is for AFSCs such as security forces or firefighting. Tier three is for all other jobs that do not fall under the other tiers.

“I feel like it definitely brings out morale within your flight,” said Airman 1st Class Gianni Perriera, 20th SFS installation patrolman. “It is hard, but you get to know where you are at and what you need to work on as well as what your wingmen need to work on.”

The workouts consisted of low and high-crawls, sprints, push-ups, ammo can lifts, buddy and fireman carries as well as a grenade throw.

“These new PT sessions will really help us on a daily basis, since as security forces we have to wear gear all the time, so ammo lifts and fireman carries are all really practical to us,” said Greco.

Both Perriera and Greco suggest everyone try these workouts because it’s easy to set up, it’s a great way to boost morale, build comradery, ensure combat readiness and test you psychologically and somatically.