Photo By Capt. Adan Cazarez | A paratrooper with the 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Well before the sound of reveille could be heard in Towle Stadium, competitors of the second annual Atlas Warrior Competition have their gear laid out, ready for inspection. The morale is high, but their uncertainty is higher as they gear up for what the day’s events will hold.
The Atlas Warrior Competition is a series of four events designed to measure the paratroopers’ physical, mental and technical capabilities in accomplishing their individual Soldier tasks. Before the start of the competition, each of the eight teams received a map with clues to unravel, leading them to their next event.
For the second annual competition, the 122nd Aviation Support Battalion upped the ante by making the teams as diverse as possible.
“The Atlas Warrior Competition is a battalion competition that pits company teams against one another in accomplishing the mission essential task list,” said Lt. Col. Gail Atkins, commander, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. “Each team composition was required to be as diverse as possible.”
The diverse makeup of the teams was designed to highlight what these paratroopers bring to the fight, regardless of mission occupational specialty or rank.
“Each team had to have a noncommissioned officer, commissioned officer and at least one lower enlisted,” said Atkins. “It is designed to identify the strengths and weaknesses in all of them.”
Even though the teams had NCOs and officers, it was focused on highlighting the lower enlisted.
“I want our paratroopers, especially the lower enlisted, to take away how much they bring to the fight,” said Atkins. “These paratroopers know the essential warrior skills that they will need for this competition. I think they will be surprised at how the training we conduct down to the individual Soldier skills is reinforced by these events.”
The hurried sounds of weapons being reassembled echoes in the distance at the weapons station event of the Atlas Warrior Competition, which was composed of heavy machine guns to individual weapons. This station served as a critical station in identifying the strengths and weaknesses in assembling and conducting functions checks.
“It’s extremely important to maintain proficiency on these weapons systems,” said Capt. Pete Negron, assistant operations officer, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. “We entrust our Soldiers with these weapons. Therefore, it’s essential they continue to refine their skill in their individual weapons in order to be effective Soldiers.”
The results of the competition will enhance the 122nd ASB Paratroopers in every rank to refine their basic Soldier tasks.
“We have Soldiers in the rank of private all the way up to major in this competition,” said Negron. “How well they do will help us to gain a picture across the board of where we stand in these tasks.”
Pfc. Eian Scales, Alpha Company, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, says esprit de corps is the best part of the competition.
“My favorite part of the events were the atmosphere, the drive to be the first one done, but mostly to represent my team,” said Eian.
The paratroopers of 122nd ASB deployed to Afghanistan late 2014 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2015 19:40 |
| Story ID: | 157440 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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