Photo By Spc. Ashley Xie | Participants pose for a photo during the Best Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of...... read more read more
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Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania — The Best Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Rotation Competition held at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania March 19-21, 2024, showcased camaraderie, readiness, and collaboration among allied forces stationed in Romania and Bulgaria. This joint and multinational event featured participation from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with participants from the Romanian and French armies.
The competition was a rigorous trial through seven stations: the Army Combat Fitness Test, medical/radio lanes, combatives, a ruck march, an obstacle course, weapons handling, and a culminating board evaluation.
“You can tell it was very friendly competition,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronis Gutierrez, the senior enlisted advisor for MK Air Base garrison. “Everyone was shaking hands, rooting and cheering for each other as they went through. That's how memories are created.”
This competition was more than a contest; it demonstrated the critical importance of allied unity and the collective resolve to maintain peace in the strategically pivotal regions of the Baltic and Black Seas.
“I'm glad we are all here; great cohesion and teamwork competitiveness was working with NATO forces,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Felix Vazquez, a tactical air control air party specialist assigned to 1st Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron.
U.S. Army Sgt. Henry Topps, a military policeman assigned to 216 Military Police Company, and Pfc. Jackson Kelly, a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, placed first in the competition.
“Going through these trials and tribulations with our counterparts really helped us become cohesive,” said Topps. “When doing the two mile run for the ACFT, the French came from behind us, and we were cheering each other on even while I felt like I was dying. We gave each other fist bumps, and they even passed us.”
On March 19, the competition began with the ACFT, setting the tone for the challenges ahead. The medical/radio lanes then tested the participants technical skills, and the combatives station displayed martial prowess, using techniques inspired by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
“The competition is about pushing yourself and beating your fellow service members in a friendly competition,” said U.S. Navy Builder 3rd Class Kevin Santana, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11. “It was good to see many different uniforms, and there are some really heavy hitters out here.”
Day two began with a 10-mile ruck march, followed by an obstacle course. The Romanian team set the fastest time on the obstacle course. Later that day, participants were evaluated on their proficiency with the M-249 machine gun, and by their performance at an evaluation board.
“The most interesting event was the obstacle course; it was really interesting, but I liked it the most,” said Romanian Fruntas Ruce Antonia, a military policeman with 01837 MK Air Base.
The competition concluded on March 21 with a ceremony that was not just about awards but about celebrating the shared journey of all participants.
“It is important for the French to show that we can do the same events and share our experiences,” said French Adjuntant Elvire Bertrand, attached to the French Army.
The Best Soldier and NCO Competition brought participants together while affirming their shared values, readiness, and unwavering partnership among the allied force participants.
“Doing this competition brings out a lot of pride in your country; it tests our limits,” said Topps. “It is all about us coming together and building that camaraderie because we are all under NATO; we are all on the same team.”
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2024 11:04 |
| Story ID: | 466835 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Unity in Action: NCO and Soldier of the Rotation Competition, by PFC Alexcia Rupert, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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