Joint Service teams run gauntlet during Defenders Challenge Published May 28, 2014 By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 71st Security Forces Squadron hosted a series of events In honor of National Police Week, which kicked off May 12. For the past three years the 71st SFS has put together an obstacle course they dubbed the "Defender's Challenge." The challenge this year consisted of four events. At the first station each participant had to run a lap around the track. Then teams selected a member to perform one of the following exercises: 100 pushups, 100 burpees, 100 sit-ups and 100 pull-ups. Teams then grabbed two 35-pound ruck sacks and ran half way to the next station where they made tracks during a 100-meter bear crawl. "I wanted the first section to tire them out," said Staff Sgt. Jean Arroyo, the 71st SFS member who designed the course. "I really wanted this to be a competition." On arrival to the second station the teams pushed through another 100-meter bear crawl before hoisting water-filled jerry cans and rushing another 100 meters. Each team finished Station 2 with 10 four-person pushups. "The bear crawls were probably one of the worst parts, especially carrying a ruck sack," said 2nd Lt. Daniel Uptmor, one of the competitors representing the 71st Student Squadron. After Station 2 the teams loaded up with their ruck sacks and jerry cans before marching to the Base Park where they muscled through the third challenge - a 100-meter tire flip. Completion of the tire flip allowed the competitors made their way to the final station where two team members donned flack vests, and were picked up their fellow members for fireman's carry. After finishing the fireman's carry, competitors scrambled over a dirt pile about 15-feet tall and sprinted up a hill behind the dirt pile. All the teams then gathered at the track for burgers and hot dogs. "The whole event was a lot of fun, I really enjoy physical challenges and pushing myself," said Uptmor, who is training to be an air liaison officer. "I think we did well despite having one less person than the other teams." 1st place was the 71st SFS who finished the course in 1 hour 12 minutes 18 seconds 2nd place was Team Army who finished in 1 hour 12 minutes and 19 seconds 3rd place was the 71st Student Squadron who finished in 1 hour 13 minutes 14 seconds 4th place was the 71st Medical Group aerospace physiology team who finished in 2 hours 8 minutes.