Defender Challenge competition underway

MCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (USTCNS) --- Defender Challenge 2001 started here June 25 and 14 teams have one competition under their belts with four more to go before a winner is declared June 29.

Defender Challenge provides an opportunity for the world's best security forces to demonstrate capabilities, improve procedures, compare notes, and enhance standardization for worldwide operations, according to Capt. David Young, Defender Challenge project officer.

Each team consists of five people and is led by a staff sergeant or higher who serves as the team captain. To ensure fairness two of the five-team members must be first term airmen and two must be career airmen.

Monday the teams divided into two groups. A team either shot the 9mm pistol in the combat handgun competition or was led into a combat tactics scenario. Today the teams will switch and complete the other competition.

Wednesday and Thursday the teams will compete using the M16A2 military service rifle in the combat rifle competition and the Installation Response exercise, which is the first time AMC has included this competition in their Defender Challenge competition, according to Young.
Friday all teams will finish the challenge with the endurance course.

Each AMC provided a team. There are teams from the 10th Security Forces Squadron, U.S. Air Force Academy and the 704th Battalion, 1st Military Police Brigade competing as well. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).