VICENZA, ITALY -- Six paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade became the first Americans to complete the Tui-Santiago Military Competition May 7, 2015 in Santiago, Spain.
The competition of six-man teams followed a rigorous 120-kilometer-long course, stretching along the traditional Catholic pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and included an obstacle course, land navigation course, open-water swim, a 100-foot repel, marksmanship and grenade-throwing ranges.
The American team consisted of six paratroopers from the brigade's "Chosen" Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, and finished the route in just over 27-hours, placing them 16th of 25 total teams. The 24 Spanish teams represented various regions and units from around Spain. The event was a culmination of months of dedicated training for these teams.
"The trek was incredibly powerful," said Sgt. Phillip Ramirez, who acted as the Team Sergeant. "The movement taxed us significantly and was unlike any test we've experienced to date. The Spanish teams we competed against displayed immense discipline and fortitude but also cheered with us, reaching past the language barriers, as we brought it home together."
In addition to Sgt. Ramirez, the team was comprised of Spc. Christopher Lenzy, Spc. Jason Hutchcraft, Spc. Briar Swoffard and Pfc. Salvador Sinsun. Capt. Dustin Lawrence led the team.
"Finishing was a huge accomplishment," said Chosen Company 1st Sgt. Benjamin Loggins, who supported the team during the competition. "We're proud of these guys for competing amongst such an impressive field. But ultimately, this was yet another demonstration of interoperability with our NATO allies."
Paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne will return to Spain from October-November this year to participate in NATO exercise Trident Juncture, a flagship exercise involving over 25,000 troops and taking place across three countries.
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