Photo By Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles | Trainees assigned to the 434th Air Refueling Wing Delayed Entry Program pose with the...... read more read more
Physical endurance, mental resilience and determination were put to the test from first obstacle to final checkpoint, as the 2026 Grissom Squadron Challenge pushed Airmen assigned to the 434th Air Refueling Wing beyond their comfort zones, June 6, 2026, at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana.
Each hurdle and challenge that the Hoosier Wing conquered demonstrated that mission success begins with trust, teamwork and a shared commitment to one another. The GSC is a continuous relay where a nine person team tackles four sequential stages, with each member having a different role within the challenge.
First, competitors began a four-person co-ed relay, where each Airman completed a lap around a half-mile track while carrying a 50-pound ruck before tagging the next teammate. Following the final leg of the relay, teams transitioned directly into a stretcher-carry event, requiring participants to transport a stretcher loaded with 50 pounds of sandbags 20 yards around a cone and back to the starting point. The event's structure required competitors to rely on one another's performance and maintain momentum through each stage of the challenge.
“Maintaining physical fitness is directly linked to our operational lethality,” said Tech Sgt. Graciela Camuy-Cuevas, the 434th Force Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge.“At the FSS squadron level, fitness is how we actively deliver force support to sustain and regenerate the readiness of Airmen, ensuring our people can withstand the physical rigors of modern operations.”
After completing the stretcher carry, teams advanced to the strength portion of the competition, where one Airman performed 50 push-ups while another completed 50 sit-ups. Once both athletes finished their respective exercises, they tagged the final competitor, who completed a 1.5-mile run to the finish line. By combining endurance, strength and teamwork training into a single event, the challenge reinforced the physical and mental resilience Airmen need to meet the demands of the mission.
“I was exhausted, it was after the duty day, and all I was thinking about was ‘why did I volunteer to run when someone else could have done it?’” said Senior Airman Alexander Strzalka, the 49th Aerial Port Squadron’s Air Terminal Operations Center Representative. “While the race was challenging, having the support of my fellow Airmen encouraged me through the run. Once I finished, I was glad I was able to push myself.”
The goal of the GSC is to ensure Hoosier Airmen consistently and safely meet the physical demands of all assigned military duties, encompassing both routine tasks and contingency operations. This contributes directly to establishing determination and adaptability required to meet mission demands.
“By prioritizing our physical readiness today, we guarantee that the broader Wing is lethal, agile, and ready when called,” said Camuy-Cuevas. “That positions us as the wing of choice for any mission, anywhere.”
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2026 15:48 |
| Story ID: | 567055 |
| Location: | INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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