Dyess competes in 2014 Global Strike Challenge

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Linscott
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Operation Support Squadron, 28th Bomb Squadron and 7th Maintenance Group participated in Global Strike Challenge here Sept. 8-11, 2014.
 
Global Strike Challenge is a competition to identify the best operations, maintenance and Security Forces personnel and units performing the Air Force global strike mission.

"Through the spirit of competition, we are showcasing our ability to be the world's premier bomber force and provide long-range strike capability," said Maj. Cecil Redmon, 28th BS assistant director of operations.

For the 9th BS, 7th OSS, and 28th BS, Global Strike Challenge was all about putting bombs as close to target as possible within pre-determined time limits while ensuring communications and safety regulations were maintained. Points were awarded based on how closely the bomb was placed to the target, how accurately the bomb was timed to drop, and how well the teams communicated with each other.

The 7th MXG was comprised of two different units that participated in the competition: maintenance and munitions. Maintenance was scored based upon a weapons load, equipment and tool organization, data management, dress and appearance and a written test. Munitions was evaluated based upon the same standards, as well as a munitions assembly conveyer set-up, an inert guided bomb unit assembly and a bomb stacking exercise that included a trailer backing and forklift maneuvering competition.

While it might seem that the competition involved a great number of events, it directly reflects what these units do on a daily basis.

"This is what we do when we deploy," explained Maj. William Babbitt, commander of the 7th Munitions Squadron. "We have people in a forward operating location right now doing exactly what we did today."

The Airmen who participated in the events were chosen according to their leaders' and supervisors' recommendations.

The Global Strike Challenge was an excellent opportunity for behind-the-scenes maintenance and munitions crews to showcase their talents.

"They are the unsung heroes who allow us to do our jobs," said Maj. Redmon. "These Airmen are the heartbeat that gets the aircraft off the ground, gets weapons loaded and allows aircrews to go downrange and put those weapons where we have to."

Scores from these events will not be released until Nov. 4-5, during a symposium at the conclusion of Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Awards will be presented to the best performing squadrons, recognizing excellence at wing and squadron levels.

During the last competition in 2012, the 7th OSS was recognized as the best bomb squadron and the best B-1B squadron for the outstanding performance of their personnel.