Guardian Challenge fundraisers kickoff for competition in April Published March 7, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- A competition that determines the best ICBM, space operations and space lift wing teams in Air Force Space Command begins April 18. The 90th Space Wing began to raise funds Feb. 29 to compete in the Guardian Challenge. "Guardian Challenge is an opportunity for the 90th Space Wing to showcase our outstanding nuclear deterrence skills," said Lt. Col. Andrew Kovich, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron. "We definitely have our best of the best operators, maintainers and security forces personnel competing this year." Twentieth Air Force evaluators travel to each of the ICBM bases to conduct the competition. The security forces and helicopter competition for all units takes place April 28 through May 3 at Camp Guernsey. The challenge includes two ICBM operations crews; a helicopter crew; a security forces fire team; a missile maintenance team; power, refrigeration and electrical lab; electronics lab; missile radio; and a mechanical and pneudraulics section team. The teams go through a variety of different tasks, challenges and simulations to accumulate points. The winner of the competition earns the Blanchard Trophy. "At F.E. Warren, we perform the nuclear mission better than anyone else," Colonel Kovich said. "We prove that day in and day out ...." AFSPC recognizes the value of competition among units to increase capability to perform the primary mission. The competition allows each ICBM team to realize strengths or areas that need improvement. Warren's teams are hopeful for a chance to be the best in the competition. "In May, we'll [bring] home the Blanchard Trophy for best ICBM wing," Colonel Kovich said.