Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | U.S. Army cavalrymen from the 4th Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Sinai...... read more read more
EL GORAH, Egypt - A three-day quest for the most well-rounded team of Soldiers within the Multinational Force and Observers came to a close Oct. 1 when Cavalrymen from the 4th Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Sinai took home top honors during an award ceremony on North Camp, in Sinai, Egypt.
The ceremony was the culminating event to the MFO’s 2014 annual Force Skills Competition.
During this grueling competition, teams from 10 different nations came together on one stage to compete in a number of events which included a rules of force scenario, IED recognition lane, combat life-savers exercise, a 3km run, stress shoot and an obstacle course.
The countries represented in this year’s competition were Australia, Canada, Colombia, Fiji, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Uruguay, the United Kingdom and the United States.
These teams were separated into three categories based on their formation size; Minor units, major units and officer-noncommissioned officer teams.
For the minor units Australia took home first place while 4-3 Cav. Soldiers captured top prize for the major units, Officer-NCO unit as well as the best overall score. Also taking home hardware were U.S. Army Sgt. Gary Martin and Pvt. Taylor Ritchie who received 2nd and 3rd place in the "Top Shot" category.
Since 2009 Team Fiji has dominated the competition more than any other contingent but fell short this year as the U.S. claimed the top spot for the first time in more than five years.
Although it was a podium day for the Fort Hood Cavalrymen, they weren’t the only U.S. team to be recognized. Soldiers from the 1st Support Battalion were recognized by the MFO Force sergeant major as the team with the best overall NCO support and leadership.
“The Force Skills Competition is the premiere event every year here and I am very proud as the chief of staff in the performances of the 1st Support Battalion as well as the 4-3 ACR Soldiers,” said Col. Clark Lindner, Task Force Sinai commander. “The Fijian Soldiers always do a phenomenal job, but this year the U.S. battalion gave them a run for their money.”
Despite being pitted against one another, each team regardless of country or contingent affiliation showed their support by sharing in each other’s traditions throughout the competition, which included singing with the Fijian Soldiers and blowing air horns with the Colombians.
The fierce competition coupled with the unmatched camaraderie displayed throughout the three days is what Lindner says makes the MFO such a successful team.
“The MFO is truly a team of teams,” said Lindner. “Though we get here on the field of friendly strife and everyone wants to do their best, at the end of the day it’s about everybody doing their best and not doing so at the expense of someone else … we want to see everyone succeed because when we go outside the wire we rely on each other for our safety and security.”
More photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122611635@N06/sets/72157647866371480/
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2014 13:34 |
| Story ID: | 144205 |
| Location: | EL GORAH, EG |
| Hometown: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Hometown: | FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 668 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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