HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — An Airman assigned to the 416th Supply Chain Management Squadron traveled to Selma, Texas, to compete in the second annual Alpha Warrior Final Battle Nov. 16 at the Alpha Warrior Proving Grounds in Retama Park.
Second Lt. Andrew Lee was one of 42 Airmen from across the world who participated in the service-wide challenge. Lee and another Airman, 1st Lt. William Holmquist from Fairchild AFB, Washington, represented the Mountain Region at the competition.
“Alpha Warrior brings a new way of getting fit, building teamwork and becoming the warfighters we need to be for future threats and future environments,” said Maj. Gen. Brad Spacy, commander, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. “They’re teaching you how to train to be stronger and they challenge you mentally.”
The program, managed by the Air Force Services Activity, a subordinate unit of AFIMSC, partnered with Alpha Warrior to provide dynamic fitness training options that focus on the four pillars of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness: physical, spiritual, mental and social.
A combination of obstacles and functional fitness apparatuses challenge competitors in various ways to include climbing, pull ups, gymnastic rings, running, jumping, and weight-lifting.
Lee said the competition was a great experience.
“The biggest takeaway was being able to meet other officers and enlisted Airmen from all (career fields) who are passionate about physical fitness,” Lee said. “While we were there, we did not wear rank, which allowed us to freely talk about difference experiences in the Air Force.
“As a young second lieutenant, this was an invaluable experience,” Lee continued. “I definitely plan on training hard and trying out to compete again next year. It was an honor to represent Hill Air Force Base at the competition and I hope to do it again.”
Unlike typical workouts, this program tests Airmen resiliency and builds confidence as they push through challenges.
“Events like this build Airmen camaraderie; they have a common goal to complete a challenge, they motivate each other and most stay connected throughout their career. That’s what the Air Force is about,” said Jim Anderson, programs branch chief, AFSVA.
Right now, Alpha Warrior’s focus is the military.
“We built a program with everyone in mind. From a training standpoint our workouts are setup so that anyone can step in at any moment and do the workout,” said Chad Leath, director of performance, Alpha Warrior. “We feel the military are the most important athletes in the world and we want to treat them as such.”
The initial vision was an obstacle course, but Alpha Warrior had an idea to take it one step further.
“We developed a fitness program to focus on Airmen getting stronger, in better shape, where they can lose fat, increase muscle mass and at the end of the day, they’re ready for battle,” he said.
The top six male and female in the first-ever inter-service battle against Army and Navy competitors.
First place: Capt. Noah Palicia from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Senior Airman Stephanie Williams from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
Second place: Capt. Mark Bishop from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and 1st Lt. Stephanie Frye from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Third place: 1st Lt. John Novotny from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Capt. Jennifer Wendland from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado.
Eighteen competitors across the Army, Navy and Air Force competed in a friendly rivalry competition at Retama Park Nov.17. It was the first inter-service battle.
Lee said the Air Force athletes were awesome with the top three male and female athletes making an amazing showing. The Air Force took first, second and third at the inter-service competition, sweeping the event.
For more information about the upcoming Air Force Alpha Warrior Final Battle or Inter-Service Alpha Warrior Battle visit https://www.afimsc.af.mil/Units/Air-Force-Services-Activity/Air-Force-Alpha-Warrior/ and http://www.myairforcelife.com/Fitness/alpha-warrior.aspx.
(Angelina Casarez, AFIMSC Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)
