adventure challenge

Col. John Menozzi, 71st Flying Training Wing vice wing commander, front right to left, Col. Daniels, 71st Mission Support Group commander, left to right back, Colonel Darren James, 71st FTW commander, and Col. David Chiesa, 71st Medical Group commander, paddle a raft in the base pool as team “Grumpy Old Men” at the 2013 Adventure Challenge Sept. 29 at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. They placed ninth out of the 12 teams who participated.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Heather Perez-Conde)

adventure challenge

The 71st Security Forces Squadron team “The Defenders” won first place in the 2013 Adventure Challenge Sept. 29 at Vance Air Force Base, Okla.” The Defenders” were represented by, from left, Staff Sgt. John King, Senior Airman Scott Brakefield, Maj. Robert Prausa and Capt. Thomas Kellams. Despite the wet weather, 12 teams competed in this year’s Adventure Challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Heather Perez-Conde)

adventure challenge

The 71st Force Support Squadron team “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything,” represented by, from left, 2d Lt. Jacob Pfannenstiel, Senior Airman Christina Sullivan, Airmen 1st Class James Atwell and Torrence Johnson, won “Best Costume” in the 2013 Adventure Challenge Sept. 29 at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. The 71st FSS won the same title at last year’s Adventure Race when they dressed as Native Americans. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Heather Perez-Conde)

Defenders take top honors in 2013 Adventure Challenge

Published Oct. 2, 2013
By 2nd Lt. Alexios Gavrilos
71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 71st Security Forces Squadron took first place in the 2013 Adventure Challenge at Vance Air Force Base Sept. 29.

With a time of 43 minutes, 48 seconds "The Defenders" were the fastest of the 12 four-person teams that competed in seven events.

The individual event themes were trivia, golf, bowling, basketball, soccer, rafting and an obstacle course.

The rules dictated that the events could be attempted in any order, except for the obstacle course, which was to be completed last.

"This year we used a different format," said Brian Mittelstet, the fitness director here. "People didn't need to be extreme athletes to compete and enjoy the experience."

The golf challenge required one member of each team to hit a target green 75 yards away, while the bowling challenge required each member bowl a strike or spare once.

In the basketball challenge each team had to sink 10 free throws, and in the soccer challenge each competitor had to score a goal for the team to advance.

Three laps around the Plains Pool in an inflatable raft were required to move on from the rafting event.

Since time was of the essence, teams sprinted between events to each new location and at the end of the race each team's total completion time was added up.

The purpose of the event was purely for entertainment and fun, which the 71st Force Support Squadron took to the next level by dressing as pirates. They won "Best Costume" for their efforts.

Twenty-seven volunteers acted in support roles by timing teams, enforcing rules and ensuring competitors' safety.

"The volunteers were absolutely vital to making (the Adventure Challenge) a success," said Mittelstet.

After every team completed the race, all participants, volunteers and staff were treated to a free barbeque lunch. The festivities included an awards ceremony, music and prize giveaways.

"It rained a little, but all the teams showed up, everyone had a good time, and we got a lot of great feedback," said Mittelstet. "We'll probably add some events for next year."