Lightning Challenge -- 165th cadre put to test

By 165th Infantry BrigadeOctober 23, 2014

Lightning Challenge
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Lightning Challenge
2 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Richard Childers, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, reassembles his weapon as part of the 165th Infantry Brigade's Lightning Challenge Oct. 17, 2014, at Fort Jackson, S.C. Participants were required to reassemble their weapons in less than... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lightning Challenge
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Lightning Challenge
4 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgts. Sheliea Smith, Joshua Wilhelm and Wesley Price, all assigned to Company A, Lightning Battalion (Provisional), use land navigation skills to plot points and find their next task during the 165th Infantry Brigade Lightning Challenge Oct. 17... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lightning Challenge
5 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Benjamin Dimaggio, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, tallies up his team's points in the archery challenge with Master Sgt. Brian Hires during the 165th Infantry Brigade's Lightning Challenge Oct. 17, 2014, at Fort Jack... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lightning Challenge
6 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Lt. Chelsea Aquino, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, prepares to shoot a bow during the 165th Infantry Brigade Lightning Challenge Oct. 17, 2014, at Fort Jackson, S.C. The daylong event pitted teams of 15 Soldiers from each of the brigade... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lightning Challenge
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Lightning Challenge
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Lightning Challenge
9 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Sgt. Matthew Dial, right, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, leads his team up a cliff during the medical evacuation exercise of the 165th Infantry Brigade's Lightning Challenge Oct. 17, 2014, at Fort Jackson, S.C. The exercise required Sol... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Oct. 23, 2014) -- The 165th Infantry Brigade conducted its semiannual Lightning Challenge Friday -- a daylong competition to test the stamina and technical competence of the officers, non-commissioned officers and cadre in the brigade on a variety of physical and mental tasks.

The day started with a 3.2-mile run, the Fit to Win Course and a sandbag carry at Hilton Field. The teams, made up of 15 Soldiers from each battalion and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, then conducted a series of demanding events, including blindfolded weapons assembly, weapons qualification, archery, a timed land navigation course, a medical STX lane, a one-rope bridge crossing, and a canoe race to Weston Lake.

In total, the teams covered more than 19 miles and executed several obstacles to see which unit was the best.

"This Lightning Challenge was extremely demanding," said Col. Bryan Hernandez, commander of the 165th. "We conduct this event every six months to test our cadre on their physical and mental toughness, proficiency of the tasks they are required to train in Basic Combat Training, and to build some esprit-de-corps and competition within the brigade.

"It is a healthy competition between our units, and we were able to bring our newest battalion into the competition," Hernandez said, making reference to the newly established Lightning Battalion. "I expect our cadre to lead by example and Lightning Challenge holds all of our leaders to the highest standards."

At the end of the day, after completing all the events, the teams finally had a chance to get some rest, eat some food and swap stories of the day's events. The winning unit was 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment.

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