F.E. Warren AFB defenders take on Crow Creek Challenge

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicole Reed
  • 90th Missile Wing

The sun rises over hilly fields casting warm rays on groups of Airmen gearing up to start their ruck march. Camelbaks slosh as team leaders remind everyone to hydrate in preparation for the competition.

The 90th Security Forces Group find themselves at the beginning of their annual Crow Creek Challenge, Sept. 6, at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Over the course of the day, defenders would challenge themselves and each other, competing through physically strenuous and mentally-tasking obstacles.

The individual obstacles include fireman and litter carries, calisthenic exercises while wearing gas masks, a Humvee push, mock improvised explosive device searches and several more physical challenges.

“Each of the 14 stations (comprises) events that are exclusive to defenders and the mission we do. The knowledge and skill-set among the members will vary based on experience,” said Tech. Sgt. Heather Griffin, 90th Security Forces Group plans and programs noncommissioned officer in charge. “We have subject matter experts who run the stations and determine the difficulty (and) severity of the agility drill being conducted.”

F.E. Warren AFB members began the competition with high expectations, giving each other high fives and filling the air with excitement prior to the start of their first station.

“Our team is pretty strong and we are definitely the best out here,” said Staff Sgt. Jesse Koritar, 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructor.

Friendly competition between security forces squadrons is not the only intended outcome of the Crow Creek Challenge. Reflection, remembrance and honor given toward fallen defenders are frequently emphasized with each step taken.

At the beginning of each station, team leaders called everyone to gather around. All present fell silent as a tribute was read about one of their fallen brothers or sisters.

“Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm was killed Dec. 21, 2015, when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden motorcycle into a joint patrol with Afghan security forces outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan,” Staff Sgt. Kerrya Jones, 890th Security Forces Squadron security controller, read to his team members at the 13th obstacle.

The small group listened respectfully before jumping into the challenge dedicated to Lemm and the other Airmen who sacrificed their lives for their country.

The teams were ranked based on the best times and completion of each obstacle of the challenge.

As the event came to a close, competitors and onlookers cheered as the 90th Security Forces Squadron was announced as the winner of the Crow Creek Challenge.