3rd CAB Families test strength, endurance in Family Iron Viper

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - What do weights, textbooks, canned food and bricks have in common'

These are among the items Family Members and friends stuffed in their back packs to replicate 20 of the 40 pounds Soldiers lug in their rucksacks during road marches.

Nearly 100 sleepy-eyed and groggy participants crawled out of bed before dawn to take part in the Family Iron Viper competition on Hunter Army Airfield, Oct. 2.

The Iron Viper is an annual physical competition conducted by the 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade "Viper Battalion" Soldiers. The Iron Viper consists of an Army Physical Fitness Test followed by a 12-mile road march with a rucksack full of 40 pounds of Army gear.

In the Family-version of the competition, participants ran one mile, did sit ups and push ups, and marched six miles with a 20 pound ruck.

"The idea for a Family Iron Viper competition began as an event to boost camaraderie, morale and excitement levels among Family Members of deployed Soldiers of 1/3 Aviation," said Leigh Ann Musiol, wife of Lt. Col. Mike Musiol, 1/3 Avn battalion commander.

Why would someone awaken with the paperboy on a Saturday morning to exert themselves to this extent'

"Our Family Members are here because they are honoring their Soldiers who are down range," said Capt. Alicia Pruitt, rear detachment commander, 1/3 Avn.

"We're here to support our (Soldiers)," said Becky Reed, wife of Chief Warrant Officer Andy Reed, who pushed a stroller in the event with her twin 18-month-old sons, Caleb and Jacob.

The training regiment Spouses undertook ranged from hiring strength and conditioning coaches to getting together with one another to work out.

"This is not something you just show up and do," said Musiol. "You must train for this. Groups of Spouses have been training together for this for quite some time. Some did so here on Hunter, some in Savannah, and others in Richmond Hill. It was wonderful hearing them cheering for each other this morning."

Ewa Wierzbicki, girlfriend of Capt. Patrick J. Dubois of Troop C, Task Force Lighthorse (3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment), came in first with 406 points, barely edging Capt. Kathryn Pegues, Task Force Knighthawk rear detachment commander, with 404 points. Jocelyn Herman of the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion finished in third place with 386 points.

Points were awarded based on quantity of sit up and pushups, and times in the one-mile run and the six-mile ruck march.

Even those who did not receive a trophy left with two things - a huge sense of accomplishment and pride in supporting their deployed Soldier.

"I'm here to support my husband," said Pam Ferguson, wife of Chief Warrant Officer David Ferguson. "I care about what he does. It was fun doing this ... the road march, in particular, because it was something we got to do that we never get to. Doing this allowed me to feel a connection with him."