91st Missile Wing goes for the gold

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen assigned to the 91st Missile Wing competed in the first Global Strike Challenge here Sept. 30.

The Global Strike Challenge is an on-going competition developed to give missile, bomber and security forces Airmen the chance to showcase their capabilities and expertise.

The teams participated in scenario-based assessments designed to test overall knowledge and skill levels in each of the participating career fields.

"Various missile maintenance disciplines compete against the other missile wings to see who the best is," said Master Sgt. Michael McCarthy, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electro-mechanical team section noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "Improving technical data, honing skills and proving Minot is the best are the overall goals of the competition."

The participating squadrons included the 91st MMXS, the 91st Missile Operations Squadron and the 740th, 741st and 742nd Missile Squadrons. These squadrons competed in unison against the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.

Each team took the competition seriously as they trained long, hard hours for weeks at a time.

"The teams trained for a total of 45 days," said Capt. Michael Valdivia, 742nd MS flight commander and 91st Operation Group training lead during the Global Strike Challenge. "Two weeks were spent in the classroom. The other 30 days were spent in the simulators."

Captain Valdivia said the competitors demonstrated dedication and service before self each day of their training.

"These teams were extremely dedicated to adequately preparing for this competition," said Captain Valdivia. "They were only given one day off each week. Even during their days off, we still saw them studying."

Preparation for this competition was a team effort, with many Airmen acquiring extra duties to make up for those directly participating in the challenge.

"Preparation did put a strain on regular day-to-day operations," said the captain. "A lot of our guys covered for those who were in training. Everyone really came together to make it all work, further demonstrating our ability to work as a team."

This competition proved to be much more beneficial to Team Minot than most would think.

"Through intense training and preparation for this competition, the team members were only improving their own skill-levels and proficiency," said Captain Valdivia. "These competitors were then able to take their newly acquired skills and knowledge back to their own individual shops and teach others what they had learned. Their expertise is an asset to the overall mission here at Team Minot."

Aside from becoming more proficient in their jobs and even uncovering more efficient ways to accomplish their day-to-day duties, the competition also serves as a great morale-booster and team-building activity.

"A lot of people came out to support us before the event," said Staff Sgt. Kenton Osborn, the 91st MMXS facility maintenance technician team chief. "We went down through a gauntlet with everyone cheering. It felt like we were at a football game in high school again. It was a big morale-booster."

In a job that doesn't necessarily get the attention it deserves, this competition gives Airmen a chance to showcase their skill and what they contribute to the Air Force mission every day.

As for the outcome of the competition, many of the Airmen were more than confident in their overall performance in the competition.

"We smoked it," said Staff Sgt. Ernest Poore, 91st MMXS electro-mechanical technician evaluator.

The first scored event started April 12 with a bomb load competition, hosted by the 5th Bomb Wing's maintenance group here.

The security forces competition is scheduled to commence Nov. 13 at Barksdale AFB, La.

Official scores are slated to be posted at Barksdale in November.