Team Dyess competes in Global Strike Challenge
By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter, 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
/ Published August 15, 2019
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airmen, family members and friends came out to support the 7th Bomb Wing as they competed in the seventh Air Force Global Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 14, 2019.
The challenge is designed to showcase the world’s premier bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile force, recognize outstanding Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and teams, and improve combat capabilities through communications and competition.
“The most challenging part is learning how to work with each other,” said Staff Sgt. Calib Burkholder, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron B-1B Lancer weapons team member. “We were able to overcome this through lots of practice and training. After each session we would discuss what we liked and didn’t like, then work from there to become better.”
During the challenge, each team is graded on accuracy, speed and safety while building and loading inert bombs onto the B-1. This helps to give each Airman practice for the quick pace missions that can occur while in a deployed environment and learn ways their practices can become more proficient.
“These challenges help the teams because it builds pride in the units,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Ledford, 7th Maintenance Group weapons standardization superintendent. “They are able to showcase their practices to the rest of the base who may not know what exactly these Airmen do on the flightline.”
Results for each AFGSC base will be announced in November at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana where awards will be given to the winning teams during a ceremony.
“It feels great seeing my teams out here,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nathaniel Schilz, 7th Munitions Squadron production flight chief. “It’s ammo pride and this is what we are all about in our career field. We love building munitions and supporting our other teams.”