Readiness Challenge postponed Published Dec. 17, 2003 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Mission requirements have forced Air Force officials to again postpone Readiness Challenge VIII, the biennial multinational combat-support competition. No makeup date has been announced, but officials said they hope to resume competition in 2005. The competition was scheduled to return in 2004 after a three-year hiatus. Readiness Challenge was postponed in 2001, 2002 and 2003 because of operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.“While it is disappointing to have to cancel the competition, we all understand the importance of our real-world commitments,” said Maj. Pat Bouffard, Readiness Challenge project manager. “Our troops have been (supporting) our global missions for quite a while, and our senior (leaders) felt the right thing to do was wait and not create an unnecessary burden on our manpower and resources.” During Readiness Challenge, teams compete in scenarios that showcase their ability to set up and maintain self-sufficient field operations in a bare-base environment during a deployment or contingency.