Two Soldiers win 1st place in strongman competition

Photo By Monica Guthrie | Spc. Matthew Gregory, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, reassembles a M249 squad automatic weapon, during Knighthawk Stakes, Nov. 4, at Camp Striker, Baghdad. Gregory's task was to reassemble a M16A2 rifle, a M9 pistol and a M249 squad automatic weapon in the shortest time possible.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.12.2007

Story by Spc. Monica Guthrie 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

By Pfc. Monica K. Smith
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - The two victors of a battalion strength and skills competition were declared at Camp Striker, Nov. 10.

Capt. David Guida and Spc. Terrance Haupt, both of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment became winners of the Knighthawk Stakes, a 2-3 Avn. Regt. competition that took place Nov. 4.

"The top three were all within a fraction of a few points of each other," said Guida, commander of Co. E. "I knew we'd be competitive, we put a 100 percent into it, but I didn't necessarily think we'd win the whole thing. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised."

The Knighthawk Stakes took place at the 2-3 Avn. Regt. headquarters and included 19 two-man teams who were graded on their ability to complete 10 challenges.

"The companies were tasked to provide three teams if stationed at (Camp Striker) and two if stationed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu or Taji," said Sgt. Maj. William Gammon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-3 Avn. Regt. "The whole brigade was involved."

The challenges tested the Soldiers physically with the two minute push-ups and sit-ups portion, the bench press, and flipping a heavy expanded mobile tactical truck tire. The competition also graded the teams on their military knowledge in areas such as first aid, land navigation, and their ability to reassemble an M16A2 rifle, M9 pistol and M249 squad automatic weapon, in addition to reassembling an M16A2 rifle while blindfolded. However, not all the challenges were military in nature.

"We mixed (military) tasks with fun events like the muffin and pop-tart eating competition," Gammon said.

The Soldiers had to eat as many as they could in two minutes. With all the muffins the brigade has on hand, someone should be reasonably good at eating those things by now, Gammon added.

The Soldiers also had to recite the Soldier's creed and the Dog Face Soldier song. The Soldiers were given freedom to perform each in a manner that would inspire and motivate the listener. Some Soldiers performed at the traditional position of attention, while others invoked a spirit of theater and performed the Dog Face Soldier Song, complete with 'jazz hands.'

Prior to deployment, the 2-3 Avn. Regt. had a similar event where Soldiers participated in events dealing with shooting, communication, first aid and also Iraqi culture. The same concept was brought to the Knighthawk Stakes.

"This was our first competition," Gammon said. "We only hit about 20 percent of the tasks we were trained on before we deployed, but we wanted to have some fun. We've been here for six months. We wanted to provide an opportunity for one company to have bragging rights."

For the first Knighthawk Stakes, Co. E has taken the title.

"The competition brought morale up a lot," said Haupt, orderly room clerk, Co. E. "It was fun. It was a good thing for the battalion to do. I think they should do it again."

• Date Taken: 11.12.2007
• Date Posted: 11.12.2007 15:40
• Story ID: 13837
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ