90th Security Forces Group members proudly represent wing during Global Strike Challenge

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  The 90th Security Forces Group is rigorously preparing to bring home Air Force Global Strike Command's Global Strike Challenge trophy for the security forces portion of the competition.
AFGSC is bringing back the once-called "Curtain Raiser" missile combat challenge this year, renaming it "Global Strike Challenge."

This year's competition is designed to test all the wings under AFGSC in three separate mission areas. Those areas are operations, maintenance and security forces.

The 90th Security Forces Group team is comprised of three members from the 90th Security Forces Group Tactical Response Force, two members from the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron and one member from the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron.

Selection for the team was opened up to all technical sergeants and below, and to all company grade officers and below across the group, said Master Sgt. Garrett Langston, 90th SFG/TRF.

"That gave us about 900 eligible members to test," Sergeant Langston added. Out of those eligible, 20 showed the heart and dedication to try out, he said.

"The six members chosen to represent the 90th SFG were selected after they were given an Army physical fitness test, which was comprised of a two-mile run and how many push-ups and sit-ups they could do in two minutes," Sergeant Langston said. "After we got the results from that part, I and Tech. Sgt. Martin Howard, 90th MSFS, looked at their [Air Force Form] 522s."

An Air Force Form 522 is a weapons qualification sheet that shows how an individual shot on a given weapon, he added.

"Based on their PT scores and their 522s, six members were selected to represent us in the challenge," Sergeant Langston said. "We wanted to keep a balance between TRF and non-TRF folks, because keeping the team balanced helps everyone on the team gain equal experience. Plus, the non-TRF members can take the training they learned back to their units and share with them that experience."

"It felt awesome to be selected for the team," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Hopkins, 790th MSFS. "I was on 'cloud nine' for several hours after they told me. I think I bring strength and quickness to the team. What I lack in experience, I make up for with my determination and willingness to learn from the TRF folks. I truly am honored to be a part of this team."

The team is currently at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., for training.

"We have a great training plan going on here," said Staff Sgt. Cole Magin, 90th SFG/TRF. "Our team is comprised of members with a broad range of knowledge, experience and young Airmen eager to learn."

"Our goal is to train our Airmen for everything," Sergeant Langston said. "Since we really don't know what they'll throw at us, it's important to be ready for anything. Shooting targets, a mental and physical challenge and tactical defense scenarios are the three main aspects of [our] part of the competition."

Some examples of the training the SFG team is receiving are land navigation, close quarter combatant operations and tactical response, Sergeant Langston added.

"It's great that we have a place like Camp Guernsey that we can go to for training," said Airman 1st Class Austin Heacock, 90th MSFS. "I don't know if those other bases have this luxury, so it kind of gives us an edge."
"Again, with us not knowing specifics of what we are going to be evaluated on, it's important for us to train our Airmen in general security forces procedures," Sergeant Langston said. "We have a month to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and we're taking advantage of that time."

The rigorous training is only one example of why the SFG team is going to bring home the trophy, said Sergeant Langston.

"I feel the quality of Airmen we have here are the best," said Airman Heacock. "It's shown in our inspections and our day-to-day operations. We are proud to be here, and that's going to help motivate us to bring home the trophy."

"[Our] leadership instills in us a strict discipline in everything we do on a daily basis," said Airman 1st Class Michael Garrison, 90th SFG/TRF. "It's up to us to show them they selected the right members for this team."

The actual competition will take place down at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., in November, Sergeant Langston said.

"When the time comes for us to show our leadership, wing and the rest of the command that we're the best security forces group, we'll be ready," Sergeant Langston said.