National Police Week: Moody hosts Warrior Challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 15 as National Police Week to honor law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate price.

Moody Air Force Base security forces members held a Warrior Challenge in honor of National Police Week May 13 to 14. Members of the 820th Base Defense Group and 23rd Security Forces Squadron competed in a series of events designed to test their physical endurance and weapons skills.

"Once a year we hold an event to honor fallen law enforcement members," said 1st Lt. Ralph Johnson, 822nd Base Defense Squadron Alpha flight commander. "We are doing this for National Police Week."

In addition to the Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony that is held every year, Lieutenant Johnson planned the first-ever Warrior Challenge.

"We have been planning this event since January," Lieutenant Johnson said. "Next year we are planning on holding the Warrior Challenge again. It's a great way to honor the law enforcement officers."

The Warrior Challenge started out with a six-mile ruck march, carrying a full combat pack. The final portion of the march included a one-mile litter carry that showcased their ability to work as a team.

"It's important to know how to do all these tasks and be good at them," said Airman 1st Class Jason Crawford, 823rd Base Defense Squadron fire team member. "The ruck march is important because to do this job well you have to be in good shape."

After this event, the teams competed in a timed weapons disassembly and assembly event. The four-man teams had to disassemble and reassemble an M4 assault rifle and an M9 pistol.

"The weapons disassembly and reassembly is very important," said Tech. Sgt. Kurt Pinkowski, 23rd SFS investigator. "Especially in a deployed location, you need to know how to operate your weapon and get rounds toward the target.

"I enjoy working with the 820th BDG," he added. "I think a friendly competition is always good."

The other events included a military operations in urban terrain scenario, a physical training competition and a two-mile fire team run.

"These events are nothing new, but it's a great opportunity to train with other security forces members," Lieutenant Johnson said. "They know how to do all of these tasks, and these events just gave them another chance to enhance their skills."

An awards ceremony and barbecue was held at the end of the two-day competition. Col. Gary Henderson, 23rd Wing commander, Col. Randall Richert, 820th BDG commander, and Parker Greene, Moody Support Committee, attended the awards ceremony to congratulate the winners.

The winning team was determined by the members' overall score in each event. The winning team was from the 823rd Base Defense Squadron, who was awarded a trophy and the title of "top team."