Crow Creek challenges Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  An event that started in the summer of 1994 has now evolved into a competitive ability test that requires strength, agility, general knowledge and teamwork to complete successfully.

There have been 14 Crow Creek Challenges since then and with this year's already complete; training for next year can now begin.

"It's the biggest event that this group puts together yearly," said Senior Master Sgt. Sammy Gardner, 90th Security Forces Group superintendent of standardization and evaluation. "It's a great event and the only recognition some of these Airmen get."

The intense nature of the challenge requires months of training and studying. Members of the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, 790th MSFS and the 90th Tactical Response Force each have their squadrons represented in the challenge by a fire team.

The fire teams for the challenge are made up of four Airmen who volunteer from each of the squadrons' individual flights to undergo the strenuous training involved in the preparation for this event.

"Everybody is high tempo," said Staff Sgt. John Hill, 90th SFG and former competitor for the challenge. "It's a good opportunity to show the pride of being part of security forces. You pretty much just beat your chest and show everybody who you really are."

Twenty-five teams competed in this year's event, with rank ranging from airman to staff sergeant.

"It's all focused to give recognition to the younger troops," Sergeant Gardner said. "E-6's and up are here to help, but we want the less experienced troops to receive these war training skills to help them when they deploy."

There were 25 stations at this year's event to include tests such as self aid buddy care, night-vision goggle operation, grenade accuracy and claymore setup. Each team was graded on their performance and knowledge of the task.

"Everybody knows what sort of task to be studying for," Sergeant Gardner said. "They know in advance that they are going to have to put together an M-4 rifle. But what they don't know is we're going to ask them to do it blindfolded."

Each station has a cadre assigned to it that presents the tasks with a specific scenario. The fire team may have trained to put on their protective gear as fast as they can, but the cadres might tell them that in an accident they lost an arm. For the whole task, the Airmen would have to use his left arm only.

"The scenarios will add a level of difficulty and stress to the assignment," Sergeant Gardner said.

Although some of the combat tasks seem unnecessarily hard, each scenario serves its purpose.

Imagine a troop in a hostile environment cleaning his weapon in the dark for fear of using his flashlight. The need for constant honing of these skills is at an all time high.

"I'm impressed with the variety of combat skills presented in this event," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Sullivan, Air Force Space Command command chief. "Even though it's a competition, every Airman who participates gets better at what they do and receives great feedback on what to improve upon from the cadres."

The overall squadron winner of this year's challenge was the 790th MSFS with 1st place going to the response force out of the 790th MSFS, second place going to delta flight out of 90th SFS, and third place going to combat response force out of 790th MSFS.

"Depending on how well the team works together and their leadership, other achievements are awarded too," Sergeant Gardner said.

The outstanding leader award went to Senior Airman Pedro Palmer, 790th MSFS. The outstanding member award went to Senior Airman Nathan Smith, 790th MSFS. The 'top gun' award for the best shooting at the rifle range went to Staff Sgt. Eric Smith, 90th MSFS.

The toughest event in the challenge, 'Team Pain,' went to flight six of the 790th MSFS for doing 14 repetitions of the four-man pushups, the fireman's carry and the log tote.

"Winning the Crow Creek Challenge isn't just about the skills you have or the knowledge you posses," Sergeant Gardner said. "The winners also get bragging rights for a full year."

Ninetieth SFG members are encouraged to keep up their training and be ready to participate in next year's challenge.