U.S. Army Soldiers and other participants pose for a photo after completing a grueling and challenging morning at the first St. Patrick's Day obstacle course event sponsored by the U.S. Army Support Activity Black Sea MWR, USO, Red Cross, and Military Auto Source on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on March 17, 2024. Joint events help build and strengthen relationships among Soldiers and their allies by fostering trust, teamwork, mutual respect, and camaraderie.

Staff Sgt. Blake Berrier, an air defense squad leader assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, low-crawls through the barbed wire obstacle during the St. Patrick’s Day obstacle course competition at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania March 17, 2024. Berrier and his partner went on to win the competition as a team.

1st Lt. Christian Kinnon, a target acquisitions platoon leader assigned to 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, maneuvers down the weaver obstacle during the St. Patrick’s Day obstacle course competition at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania March 17, 2024. Kinnon and his partner went on to win the competition as a team.

Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania – The U.S. Army Support Activity Black Sea MWR, USO, Red Cross and Military Auto Source collaborated to host the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Obstacle Course here March 17, 2024. Teams and individuals composed of U.S. Army and British Soldiers engaged in a friendly competition to complete the newly constructed Air Assault Course in the fastest time possible.

“This is the first competition held on the new Air Assault Course since the U.S. Navy ‘Seabees’ completed its construction several months ago,” said Tia Mack, director of ASA Black Sea MWR. “We couldn’t have done it without the support and assistance from all of the participants, volunteers, and medical staff who came out,” she regarded.

The victorious team was ‘Team Radar,’ comprised of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Christian Kinnon, a target acquisitions platoon leader, and target acquisitions platoon section chief Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rodriguez of 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Sgt. Steven O’Neil prevailed as the individual winner.

“I enjoyed competing with soldiers from other units and alongside one of my section chiefs; it was exactly how I expected it” said Kinnon. “It's an honor to be able to represent my battalion and win with one of my section chiefs.”

For the competitors, this competition was a chance to showcase their individual skills and their unit pride.

“Competing with other Soldiers was my favorite part and the energy of everyone around and it felt great to win the competition,” added Rodriquez. “I didn’t know what to expect or what obstacles there were. I’ve done plenty of obstacles before, so I just relied on my prior training.”

The course here is made up of 13 different obstacles to include a barbed wire low crawl lane, a rope climbing confidence tower, and confidence climb ladder.

The presence of rotational units in the Baltic and Black Sea Regions demonstrates the V Corps’ unwavering commitment to NATO for collective defense and regional security. Our infantry and armored capability and capacity enables us to conduct multinational exercises with allies and partners across the European continent.