HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - Army watercraft operators from the 545th Transportation Company put their bodies on the line during the waterborne challenge competition, Dec. 8, here.
The event came about as a way to bring the team together before many of them travel across the country on leave for the holiday season.
"Today's our day to get everyone together before the holidays for a friendly competition to test their fitness," said Capt. David Walters, company commander, 545th Trans. Co. "It's not a team challenge but more of an opportunity for them to compete individually against each other."
During the challenge, Soldiers began with a 3.5-mile run in body armor, followed by a 250-meter swim, a 100-meter chain drag and a 50-meter low crawl.
Spc. Daniel Mineweaser, a watercraft operator with the 545th Trans. Co., and overall winner of the competition, said the challenge really pushed his body to the limits.
"It was pretty hard," he said. "I'm a good runner, so I knew I'd do well on the run but then going right into the swim ... I was really beat at that point, which made the last two events really, really hard."
Mineweaser had one goal for himself: performing above and beyond in the competition.
"We have four different detachments in our company," he said. "Our detachment, the 603rd, always tries to be the top dog, and I wanted to do it for them."
Each age bracket recognized the first place finisher but for Walters, the real winners were everyone who competed.
"The Soldiers did outstanding," he said. "Any event to test their physical fitness is great and everyone here gave 100 percent and beyond. I'm proud of them all."
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