FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 27, 2016) -- Marking a historic first, eight Homeland Security Enforcement Removal Operation teams gathered at Fort Benning to compete in the Department of Homeland Security Tactical Team Competition April 19-21.
"It's the first time we've ever gotten the teams together from all across the United States to compete against each other," said Ryan Overton, chief judge and coordinator of the event.
The competition was put together in an effort to test the teams on everything from physical strength, mental awareness, firearm skills and teamwork. The competition consisted of eight teams and three days full of events, all of which were a surprise to the teams and varied from situations such as hostage rescue scenarios to night operations.
Homeland security enforcement removal operation teams are specially trained to deal with everything from high-risk criminal warrants, escorting international prisoners, to dignitary protection work, said Overton.
"These guys are trained to deal with some of the worse criminals the U.S. government has," said Overton.
All agents on the teams are familiar with Fort Benning as they all had to pass a three-week course taught at Fort Benning in order to become an SRT operator. The teams were from San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, El Paso, San Antonio, Miami, New York City and Buffalo.
Joshua Elliott, a deportation officer out of Phoenix and one of the competitors, said that this competition is giving his team valuable insight on what they need to work on.
"It's showing us our shortfalls, the equipment we need to function more effectively and more efficiently, where we need to practice on our shooting skills, our physical fitness. We were already staying physically fit but now we are going to take it three or four steps above that," said Elliott.
Additionally, this competition is helping the teams work on their ability to shoot well under stress, said Elliott.
"You can shoot well standing in front of a piece of paper, but when you add stress to it like you see here, it's a totally different monster," said Elliott.
San Antonio, the team that earned the most points received a traveling trophy they took back to their home office. Overton says he hopes to invite other agencies such as border patrol, local team and military police tactical teams to compete next year.
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