GREYWOLF Soldiers dominate on obstacle course

By 1st Lt. David Broadbent, 422nd MP Co., 3 BSTB, 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.May 19, 2011

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - During the early morning hours of May 10, while most Soldiers on Contingency Operating Base Adder remained tucked in their beds, a four man combined team from the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion participated in a combat obstacle course designed to test Soldier skills and cardiovascular endurance, sponsored by the 407th Security Forces Flight as one of the many activities marking National Police Week.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 to be National Peace Officer's Memorial Day. Additionally, May 15 through May 21 was named National Police Week to honor the frequency of officer deaths in the line of duty.

The 3BSTB team consisted of two infantrymen from A Co. 3rd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment, a Military Police officer from 422nd Military Police Co., and a logistics Soldier from Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 3rd BSTB. Even though their military specialties differed, the team incorporated their unique Soldier skills to produce a cohesive team that dominated the competition.

The course stretched two miles through the Air Force compound on COB Adder with six stations testing the technical and tactical proficiency of the teams as well as their physical endurance and teamwork.

The stations included: weapons assembly, vehicle push, casualty evaluation, treatment and movement, building a defensive position with sand bags, sensitive site exploitation using night vision goggles and culminating with a combat gear run.

The four man team of 1st Lt. Lon McBride, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Bourquin, 2nd Lt. Ryan Towson, and Sgt. Brian Reaber expertly negotiated all six stations, completing the course in first place by a ten minute margin over the closest competition.

Senior Master Sgt. James McMurdy, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 407th Security Forces Flight, said, "even if another twelve teams were competing, I'm pretty certain these guys would still have placed first."

The teams dominating effort during the competition symbolizes the camaraderie and esprit de corps that epitomizes the 3rd BSTB Gladiators.

RELATED STORIES