Defender Challenge ~ A Defenselink Photo Essay

DoD ^ | October 28, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Defender Challenge

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dustin McPhillips fires an M240B machine gun on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct.15, 2004. McPhillips is assigned to the 568th Security Forces Squadron, based on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and he is representing the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team in the 2004 Defender Challenge competition, held on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The competition pits teams from major Air Force commands against one another over a series of events to include marksmanship, tactics and physical fitness. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chris Clawson loads blank ammunition into an M249 squad automatic rifle during a tactical exercise on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004. Clawson is a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team, preparing to take part in the 2004 Defender Challenge Competition on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The event  pits competitors from major commands against one another over a series of events to include marksmanship, tactics and physical fitness. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Forces in Europe Defender Challenge team members maneuver through an open field during a tactical training exercise, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adam Dermish checks map coordinates during a tactical exercise on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004. Dermish is assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron, based on Lakenheath Air Base, England, and he is serving as part of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chris Clawson receives an updated intelligence report during a tactical training exercise, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004. Clawson is assigned to the 39th Security Forces Squadron, based on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and he is part of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chris Clawson sets up a base of fire after contact with enemy forces during a tactical training exercise on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chris Clawson reacts to contact with enemy forces during a tactical training exercise on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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Rounds fly through an M240B machine gun on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004 during Defender Challenge. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sally McCabe cleans weapons after a full day of firing on Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2004, in preparation for the 2004 Defender Challenge Competition. The Air Force competition, held on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, includes marksmanship, tactics and physical fitness events. McCabe is assigned to the 85th Security Forces Squadron, based on Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, and she is competing as a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech.  Sgt. Justin D. Pyle

 

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[Ragtime Cowgirl]

--- Pics!---------- Q

[flashbunny]

What the heck is he shooting at? Geese?

[GAflyer]

It is almost kind of funny to watch the Air Force have a tough guy competition

[Liberalism=MentalDisorder]

I agree, aside from AFSOC,PJ's and the FAC's, the Air Force doesn't have too many "tough guys". Cool pics though.

[t_skoz]

Who cares what he's shooting at? That's badass! Tax money well spent, as opposed to 85% of the rest of it going to fund illegal govt waste.

More guns & ammo, less publik skoolz, medicaid, welfare, bureaucrats, etc etc.

LOL!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[GAflyer]

While the PJ's have the largest budget, they affect nothing tactically. AFSOC, please. The FACs do a good job, only this competition has nothing to do with calling in air. Cute sarcasm.

[blackie]

Great Pix ~ Bump!

[Liberalism=MentalDisorder]

What exactly do you mean by "AFSOC, please"??

[GAflyer]

They are nothing more than a ploy for the AF to get a budget and affect doctrine and have about as much impact operationally as the salvation army

[GAflyer]

There is an AF group out there that has a large impact, but they are not running around pointing saws in the air and putting on cami paint, but wear flight suits, which is what the AF is the best at, anyone who pretendss that they do anything on the ground that has impact beyond the TACPs, is either in the AF and has their head in their hinney or has never served.

[Terrence DoGood]

Believe it or not, the Air Force (like all other branches of the Armed Forces, has all kinds of "tough guys". Including Para-Rescue (PJ's - the guys who rescue downed pilots), Combat Controllers (the guys who parachute into hostile territory to set-up air fields) and Forward Air Controllers (the guys atached to Army units like the 10th Mountain Div. and call in air strikes). TD --- 15-yr Air Force, Damn Proud To Serve!

[GAflyer]

see above

[Terrence DoGood]

Have you ever worn a uniform of our military?

[GAflyer]

Yes, and I get to do more that 3 or 4 month deployments. How about you?

[GAflyer]

Yes, and I get to do more than 3 or 4 month deployments. How about you?

[Terrence DoGood]

Its always a little annoying when I "hear" all this talk from folks who've never been a part of the Air Force. Sounds like they've seen too many Iron Eagle movies. All branches bring their own "specialties" to the table and the Air Force's role is acheiving and maintaining air superiority...in all kinds of very cool and interesting ways. Some of which would surprise you. I suggest getting a copy of Clancy's "Fighter Wing" and "Shadow Warriors" for a pretty unique perspective. TD

[Terrence DoGood]

Please, you name it, I've "been there, done that” and I’ve got the paper work to back it up. Personally, I've never been on a 3-month “deployment”, but I’ve been on countless short missions to countries I never knew existed until I joined the Air Force. You’re mentioning deployment length is somewhat revealing. Does duration equate to value? I salute all that answer the call; Active, Guard or Reserve. To me it's never about how long one serves or the capacity, It's about if the one's service is honorable or not. But since you asked, I recently spent 10 months bouncing from Kandahar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Djibouti and I'm ready to "saddle-up" tomorrow if I have to.

[Spirochete]

What the heck is he shooting at? Geese?

There's somethin' up in them trees.