Global Strike Challenge brings historic competition back to life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dan Gage
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  The Air Force has a long tradition of holding competitions to challenge their commissioned and enlisted members. This year, Air Force Global Strike Command continues that tradition with Global Strike Challenge.

The competition dates back to late 1966, when the commander of Strategic Air Command announced the first SAC missile combat challenge would be held. This first meeting was called "Curtain Raiser. "

Since then, the event has been through many changes, through the '70s, '80s and early '90s the competition was called "Olympic Arena." In 1994, it was renamed "Guardian Challenge." This year marks the first year the AFGSC will be hosting the event, giving it a new name, "Global Strike Challenge."

Over the years, the competition has seen a lot of tradition, especially when the competitors met in one centralized location.

"Every night they'd have a formal score posting", said Chief Master Sgt. (ret) Dave Clark, 90th Missile Wing Weapons Safety Office. "We'd march in and each unit had their own entrance music and cheers.

"It even grew to the point that Grand Forks had what they called the 'War Wagon,' an old bus painted black," he added. "It would shoot flames and had sirens and lights."

Mascots have also been a part of the challenge; collector cards can be found depicting characters like the "Whiteman War Chief," or the 351st Missile Wing's mascot, "The Stump." All cards came complete with stats and biographies on the back.

The competition is an opportunity for the different units to have fun, but it's also a chance for them to get better at their jobs and improve procedures.

"This is a serious business day to day, the rules are strict, they're uncompromising standards", said Col. Robert Vercher, 90th Operations Group commander. "When you're competing, the goal of competition is to make yourself better."

The months spent training and the time in the competition itself, helps those participating to become very good at their jobs, and then they come back and teach the rest of the unit, Colonel Vercher added.

The selection and training process for competitors varies from unit to unit, and also between the career fields.

The 90th OG and 90th Maintenance Group both administered written and hands-on tests to applicants, while the 90th Security Forces Group's team will be selected based off physical fitness test scores and their weapons firing scores.

Over the years, many things have changed in the competition besides the name. Starting in 2006, all competitive exercises, except security forces, have been held at each unit's home base.

This year, all competitors will gather at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., for the scoring and awards ceremonies held Nov. 16 - 18.

It's very exciting that we're bringing back the original, historical, Curtain Raiser, Olympic Arena style competition, including how it's scored, said Colonel Vercher.

There's the best-of-the-best in one location, from all the wings, he added.

"All those wing commanders, this is their competition, they want their wing to be the best," Colonel Vercher said. "I'm excited to show our wings superior technical and weapons systems expertise."