Security Forces Airmen compete in skills competition

  • Published
  • By Capt. Roberto Cornier
  • 377th Security Forces Group

The 377th Security Forces Group hosted the First Annual Manzano Challenge, a competition over real Security Forces skills, Oct. 22 at Kirtland Air Force Base.

The all-star competition featured Security Forces Airmen from across the 377 SFG. Sixty-four defenders divided into 16 teams of four to compete on 17 stations, ranging from weapons skills and land navigation to team tactics and problem solving.

The idea for a Kirtland Security Forces competition originated this past summer when Senior Master Sgt. Eric E. Blanco, operations superintendent of the 377th Weapons System Security Squadron, was looking for ways to enhance the Security Forces culture and heritage among Kirtland defenders.

“The idea of competing against other defenders has always been very exciting to me,” Blanco said. “Competing is part of our culture; it’s in our DNA.”

Support for having a Security Forces competition within Kirtland quickly grew among the squadrons. One of the biggest supporters, 377th WSSS Commander Lt. Col. James K. Meier, swiftly drafted members of the 377th SFG leadership team to compete in the Manzano Challenge.

“I remember competing in Defender Challenge as a young captain, testing myself and my limits together with my team,” Meier said. “It’s hard work, but it pays off.”

Col. Dustin Sutton, 377th SFG commander, also saw benefits in the competition.

“We designed the Manzano Challenge to enhance team readiness, teamwork, unit pride, espritde- corps and a competitive spirit among our defenders,” Sutton said. “This is a benefit to our defenders because they are able to tests their limits against a mentally and physically demanding environment.”

The last station, Team Punisher, pitted teams against each other on a grueling 15-minute challenge requiring them to carry a 300- pound log to a mud pit filled with water. At the mud pit, teams had to complete five repetitions of fire team push-ups before returning the log to the starting position. Each repetition alternated the use of the log with body carries to the mud pit.

The Manzano Challenge required over 70 volunteers and coordination with 21 base agencies, making the course safe for all participants. At the finish line, teams were welcomed to free food and drinks after completing over eight hours of intense challenges and traveling nearly 10 miles.

“This was extremely challenging for the team,” said Staff Sgt. Antonio A. Pacheco, Team 14 leader. “The course exploited our weaknesses as well as our strengths. There is no better way to build teamwork than this — it’s a challenge.”

The winners of the 1st Annual Manzano Challenge were:

• Top Fire Team and Team Punisher Champions: Staff Sgt. Jorge Lopez, Senior Airman Eddie Castro and Senior Airman Cody Taboada;

• Top Fire Team Leader: Senior Airman James Ogg; and • Top Fire Team Member: Senior Airman Cody Taboada.