KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa, Japan-- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from military police units on Okinawa participated in a Defender's Challenge competition May 14th on Kadena Air Base, Japan.
The competition was one of many scheduled events during the week held in conjunction with National Police Week. National Police Week honors the service of law enforcement officers throughout the world.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Greg Riley, noncommissioned officer in charge of standardization and evaluations for the 18th Security Forces Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, said the event helps to strengthen the local MP community.
"It's a healthy competition for us to have fun and it really helps build on relationships we have as a joint team on Okinawa." explained Riley.
A total of 10 teams came out for the competition including local national civilians who work on the different bases and camps on island. They all brought their mental and physical game and gave their all for the 11 events including a casualty carry, four-mile run, ammo search and weapons assembly.
Throughout the competition it was easy to see participants giving all they had to be crowned the best team but for a few competitors like Army Sgt. Miles McGreehan, a military police assigned to the 10th Regional Support Group, it symbolized a greater cause.
McGreehan added the weeklong event culminates with a tribute to fallen military police troops on island.
"The event is awesome but more importantly it's to honor our fallen comrades and that's important and says a lot about the Military Police Corps. " said McGreehan.
According to the web site Policeweek.org in 1962 President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day which also establish the week as National Police Week.
To find out more about National Police Week log on to www.policeweek.org.
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