Kingsley’s warrior ethos is tested at the 2015 Iron Owl Challenge

Photo By Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy | U.S Air National Guard members from the 173rd Fighter Wing and members from different Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs prepare for the sit up portion of a Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test during this year’s Iron Owl Challenge held in Klamath County, Ore. May 16, 2015. Events included a broad range of activities including multiple ruck marches, water survival tasks wearing full gear, two consecutive Crossfit workouts, academic and attention to detail testing, night time and day time land navigation, a five mile special forces course, open lake swimming, two Marine Corps physical fitness tests, an Army PFT, and a full day of small arms courses on the last day. The first two days of the event are completed sleep deprived and with limited food. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Penny Snoozy/Released)  

KLAMATH FALLS, OR, UNITED STATES

05.15.2015

Story by Senior Airman Penny Snoozy 

173rd Fighter Wing

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Four members of the 173rd Fighter Wing joined together to participate in this year’s Iron Owl Challenge held in Klamath County, Oregon, May 15 – 17. The Iron Owl tests any willing participants in the rigorous, demanding challenges that comprise the training of our military’s Special Operations Community. Kingsley Field participated with three other teams from across the United States.

Second Lt. Adrian Mateos-Chavarria, Master Sgt. Ross Hawkins, Tech. Sgt. Clinton Wells, and Staff Sgt. Chris Hernandez made up team Kingsley. Mateos said he was proud of the fact that they had representation from across the wing.

“They demonstrated the high level of readiness and team work that characterizes Team Kingsley,” said Mateos.

Events included a broad range of activities including multiple ruck marches, water survival tasks wearing full gear, two consecutive Crossfit workouts, academic and attention to detail testing, nighttime and daytime land navigation, a five-mile Special Forces course, open lake swimming, two Marine Corps physical fitness tests, an Army PFT, and a full day of small arms courses on the last day. The first two days of the event are completed sleep deprived and with limited food.

This event honors wounded warriors and fallen brothers-in-arms, as teams carry a “Fifth Man” throughout the entire grueling three day event. This “Fifth Man” is a brick commemorating the life of an American military member who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is represented as a cinder block with the details of their team's veteran and his or her heroic actions printed, laminated and fastened to the block.

“Iron Owl is a great opportunity ... for those willing to measure if they are fit to fight as it tests an individual's mental and physical capacity while integrating the vital portion of teamwork required to fight and win,” says Mateos.

In addition to Team Kingsley, members of the Air Force, Army, and Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps participated in the event.

Mateos said it was “ ... inspiring to see the high level of performance and courtesy of the future generation of men and women that will be defending our country after graduating from the ROTC [program].”

The Iron Owl Challenge is partnered with Oregon Institute of Technology to honor the Veterans of our community. Events took place across Klamath County to include the Ella Redkey pool, Topsy Reservoir, and Klamath Sportsman’s Park.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2015
• Date Posted: 06.10.2015 16:43
• Story ID: 166143
• Location: KLAMATH FALLS, OR, US