Reserve defenders take gold at international military competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ciara Gosier
  • HQ Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Reserve Citizen Airmen brought home the gold at the International Bavarian Military Competition in Lagerlechfeld, Germany, July 20-21.

The competition, hosted by the German Bundeswehr (military) and organized by the Southern Germany Branch of the Air Force Engineering Training Center, brought 30 teams from nine nations together for two full days of marksmanship courses.

Participating countries were Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the United States, Poland, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Teams included active-duty and reserve military members, police force members, and civil servants.

Opportunities like IBMC ensures lethality for Reservists and encourages mentorship to build the next generation of leaders to make us more ready for the fight today and tomorrow.

Going into the competition this year, the team had one goal --win first place.

“As Security Forces Airmen, they are very competitive,” said Wendell Peacock, Air Force Reserve Command Security Forces chief of Programs and Resources. “Last year we were unfamiliar, because it was our first year. Taking second and third place at the 2017 competition was a huge success; it gave this year’s competitors a set goal.”

One of this year’s team members said having insight helped to give a mental picture of what to expect.

“It really helped by having the experience from one of the team members from last year who placed third in the competition,” said Senior Master Sgt. Chad Bolding, 507th Security Forces Squadron superintendent, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and the team’s captain. “Competitions like these are a great opportunity for our Airmen to find another way to succeed in their careers, and be challenged.”

This year, the Citizen Airmen took first place by more than 100 points over the 30 participating teams.

“It was highly advantageous to get a personal view of how the competition may have played out,” said Staff Sgt. Julian Wilcox, 934th Mission Support Flight Combat Arms training and maintenance instructor at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. “Our backgrounds as combat arms instructors allowed us to share experiences, knowledge and advice to help us grow and be ready for what may lay ahead. It gave us the uproar we needed to carry out training and a sign that we can win.”

Tenacity displayed by the Airmen showed the readiness and willingness to perform the mission, and perform it well.

“A lare number of our Reserve Citizen Airmen work in civilian law enforcement,” said Peacock. “They blend their civilian training with their Air Force SF training which enhances their skills and abilities, making them more lethal.”

The drive the team members possessed was the force in bringing home the top spot for AFRC’s defender team.

“We all know flexibility is the key to airpower,” said Bolding. “The team meshed from day one, which is rare when you have a bunch of type-A personalities in that intense [competition] environment.”