435th CRG Olympics: testing their limits

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristof J. Rixmann
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members from the 435th Contingency Response Group, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron, and 2nd Air Support Operations Group participated in the 435th CRG Olympics on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 18, 2018.

The Olympics consisted of a four mile ruck march and a “round robin” of events. Airmen cycled through events such as the obstacle course, a “bare base build-up” and firefight challenge. Other exercises held throughout the day included a first-aid and troop transport drill, and a pallet build-up drill.

“The purpose of (this year’s 435th CRG Olympics) is three fold,” said Master Sgt. David Thomas, 435th Construction and Training Squadron operations superintendent. “We first want to give the units an opportunity to showcase what they do in the CRG realm to the rest of the Group and Wing. The event is a resiliency and team building event where members are encouraged to compete and support their fellow unit members in a competitive event, and finally it is a social gathering where we can all decompress while getting some good physical exercise in.”

The 435th CRG is U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s only expeditionary force that provides a cross-functional and rapidly deployable force designed to assess and open airbases and perform initial airfield operations.

The 435th CRG Airmen provide expeditionary airfield ops, combat support and training, flyaway security training, construction, and mobile aircraft arresting system support, enabling rapid stand-up combat operations anywhere in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

The 435th CRG Olympics provided an opportunity to practice all of their operations in a unique and friendly competition, leaving every Airman with a new appreciation for how their group accomplishes the mission.