Guardian Challenge 2010 season a success

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PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  Air Force Space Command officials announced the winners of Guardian Challenge 2010, the command-wide combat competition, during the awards ceremony May 21.

The top awards and winners included:

- The Schriever Trophy for Best Space Launch Wing: 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
- The Aldridge Trophy for Best Space Operations Wing: 460th Space Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo.
- The King Trophy for Best Systems Wing: Space Development and Test Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
- The Polifka Trophy for Best Cyberspace Operations Wing: 67th Network Warfare Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas
- The Etchberger Trophy for Best Combat Communications Team: 3rd Combat Communications Group, Tinker AFB, Okla.

Trophies also were awarded to the best teams and crews in various mission areas:

- Best Space Communications Team - 460th Space Wing
- Best Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Team - 45th Space Wing
- Best Space Launch Maintenance Team- 45th Space Wing
- Best Spacelift Operations Crew - 45th Space Wing
- Best Cyberspace Operations Team - 67th Network Warfare Wing Combat Communications Team
- Best Security Forces Team- 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
- Best Security Forces Marksmanship Team- 3rd Combat Communications Group
- Best Security Forces Tactics Team- 460th Space Wing
- Best Security Forces Obstacle Course Team- 30th Space Wing

Every two years AFSPC officials conduct Guardian Challenge, but this year the competion had a number of firsts.

This year, for the first time, the competition incorporated operations and support forces from both space and cyberspace units, making GC 2010 the world's first space and cyberspace combat competition.

Airmen and civilian warriors from six space wings and three cyberspace and combat communications wings, including three Air National Guard combat communications groups, and the Space and Missile Systems Center competed in challenges designed to hone their warrior skills and make them better contributors to joint operations around the world.

Teams were selected from among the best of the best in AFSPC, and competitions commenced at various locations between March 1 and May 19. Culminating events, including an awards ceremony, took place here May 20 and 21.

GC 2010 is a 'reboot' of the past with cyberspace forces joining the competition for the first time, while the ICBM forces, which transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command Dec. 1, did not participate.

Two brand new trophies were unveiled at the GC opening ceremony to recognize the best of the command's newly acquired 24th Air Force space and cyberspace units.

The Polifka Trophy, to be awarded to the best cyber forces team, is named for Col. Karl L. Polifka, a former 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing commander who died in action when his F-51 aircraft was shot down over North Korea. Col. Karl Polifka Jr. was on hand at the ceremony to participate in the unveiling of the trophy named after his father.

The Etchberger Trophy, to be awarded to the best combat communications team, is named for Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger, a radar superintendent who posthumously received the Air Force Cross for his extraordinary acts of valor during an enemy ground attack in the Vietnam War. The last person to see Chief Etchberger alive, retired Tech. Sgt. John Daniel, and Chief Etchberger's sons Cory, Steve and Rich, and his granddaughter Molly participated in the unveiling of the Etchberger Trophy.

GC 2010 was divided into several different events, which were primarily administered by officials from 14th AF and 24th AF. Each event was tailored to the specialties of the competing units and in most cases consisted of a problem being posed to the teams who had to discover the best way to solve it. Events included space operations, space launch, space acquisition, security forces, space communications and combat communications contests.

Another first for GC this year was the addition of the Combat Challenge tradition. Running from 1986 to 1996, it was the Air Force's combat communications competition, which tested units' ability to rapidly and effectively set up communications in field conditions. This year, as a GC event, Combat Challenge took place at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., April 17 to 19. It included team events in air base defense, communications site set up, physical fitness, shooting, tent city construction and Airman's Manual knowledge.

The GC culminating events included an opening ceremony, CRUD tournament, static displays, professional forums and a score posting awards banquet.

"Guardian Challenge is the farthest thing from being a game," said Lt. Col. Burke Hare, deputy GC competition commander. "All of the goals of Guardian Challenge are aimed at enabling the United States to continue winning in space and cyberspace.

"We're executing Guardian Challenge because it is a prime opportunity for the space and cyber warriors of Air Force Space Command to demonstrate and enhance the effectiveness of their skills, training and procedures directly contributing to the joint way the nation fight's war," he said. "It's an unprecedented opportunity to stimulate vital innovation, cooperation and esprit de corps in and among AFSPC Space and Cyberspace units."

Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton, who attended the culminating events, echoed this sentiment.

"None of our joint partners could do what they do without you," she said.

This year GC leaders sought to bring coherence among the geographically and functionally diverse GC competition events through the concept of the GC season.

"Guardian Challenge is more than just a competition," said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Small, AFSPC command chief. "It's a season we can all use to hone our skills and better prepare us to win the joint fight."

The 2010 GC season, which spanned January through May, was targeted toward meeting eight goals that were directed by Gen. C. Robert Kehler, the AFSPC commander:

· Identify areas for standardization to enhance readiness and efficiency
· Improve readiness, combat capabilities and methodology through preparation, innovation and cross talk
· Enhance esprit de corps and strengthen teamwork across all command mission areas
· Recognize AFSPC's superior warriors
· Articulate the message that we are prepared to perform our mission
· Demonstrate our awesome abilities as the world's premier space and cyberspace force
· Create competition-tough personnel
· Identify innovative techniques and improved methodology for enhanced job performance

"Guardian Challenge is about innovation, esprit de corps, and teamwork," General Kehler said. "Competition hones our skills and makes us a more effective member of the joint team."

Each new cyber wing was partnered as a "sister wing" with a seasoned space wing for the competition and culminating events. This pairing was designed to develop mentorship and collaboration through GC that will be carried into daily operations and warfighting efforts.

"Teamwork and innovative thinking are the hallmarks of our outstanding professionals," General Kehler said. "Any time we show this kind of enthusiasm and improve our skills, it's a success. The competitors and support personnel have all done a great job this year. I'm very pleased."

The next Guardian Challenge is slated for 2012.