822d BDS Airmen face-off in Scorpion Stakes

Photo By Senior Airman Taryn Butler | Maj. Michael Wetlesen, far right, 822d Base Defense Squadron commander, prepares Airmen for Scorpion Stakes, Feb. 20, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The two-day competition includes 18 stations such as a ruck, litter carry, simulated hostage rescue and vehicle search. The event has 18 four-Airman teams who are competing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place by getting the highest score at the 18 different stations. Scorpion Stakes challenges Airmen on their career training and knowledge while having to physically and mentally overcoming obstacles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taryn Butler)  

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES

03.06.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Taryn Butler 

23rd Wing

Airmen assigned to the 822d Base Defense Squadron (BDS) went head-to-head in Scorpion Stakes, a two-day competition filled with events that test each Airman’s proficiency in thier necessary career skills, Feb. 20-21, here.
Scorpion Stakes challenges Airmen on their career training and knowledge while physically overcoming obstacles such as a ruck, litter carry, simulated hostage rescue, vehicle search and more. The Airmen also have to take several written exams to test them mentally.
The goal of the competition is to create a foundation that will test and improve the skills Airmen will need downrange. The event is an effective training tool as well as a way to show their peers and leadership the Airmen know their job.
“The competition takes all the day-to-day fundamental skills and job knowledge that we have to go downrange,” said Senior Airman Ethan VanVactor, 822d BDS unit training instructor. “[The competition is] a constructive way to make it a fun event so they can use all of their skills in a fun, more competitive, light-hearted way.”
The competition challenged 18 four person teams, or a fire team, to complete tasks that have to be done downrange. It helps create Airmen who are comfortable with being uncomfortable, an essential characteristic of an adaptive war fighting force. Airmen need to be physically, mentally, socially and spiritually ready to fight tonight while deployed-in-place or deployed downrange.
“Since the whole event is based on a fireteam, it really builds that cohesive bond with you and your teammates,” said Airman 1st Class Paul Giampaolo, 822d BDS fireteam member. “It focuses on their strengths and weaknesses so you know what to expect when you’re out there with your team. It will improve [overall readiness].”
By holding the competition at the squadron level, the 822d BDS is reaffirming the commitment to providing every Airman the opportunity to improve in every way, which will build stronger units and empower leaders within the self-sufficient squadron’s training and weapons systems.
“The competition was really to measure the comprehension of basic wartime tasks through muscle memory,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nicholas Roberts, 822d BDS operations superintendent. “For us to get to that point, I have to empower my leaders to conduct leader-lead training at all level throughout the unit to make sure we don’t have a flat organization but we have people who are competent, confident and incredible in their job they’re executing.”
The 822d BDS’ mission is to provide protection and base defense for expeditionary air forces. The squadron is ready for Global Readiness Force (GRF) status after completing a series of tests where all of their skills and training are applied. Although Scorpion Stakes isn’t to gain GRF status, it does give the 822d leadership an idea on where their Airmen are at.
“The only the way we’re more lethal is by repetition and understanding that the repetition and knowledge of ourselves as a weapons system,” Roberts said, “because we are a weapons system that is really a force multiplier for an air base.”
The 822d BDS trains day-in and day-out and Scorpion Stakes is a way for the Airmen to raise moral in the squadron while still training and learning from each other and leadership.
“This is a good way for them to have fun with work,” VanVactor said. “Most days we come in its training or admin. This is something they know is going to be challenging but at the end of the day, it’s going to be something fun they can go out and do.”

• Date Taken: 03.06.2019
• Date Posted: 03.07.2019 14:42
• Story ID: 313382
• Location: MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, US