Sweat, grit and willpower – a fight to the finish

Photo By Staff Sgt. Courtney Davis | 602nd Aviation Support Battalion leaders race to the finish line at the “Toughest Talon”, Oct 3. The purpose of “Toughest Talon” is to build unit cohesion and challenge Soldiers’ endurance. (Photo by Su Han Yoo, 2CAB) A Soldier assigned to 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade defies gravity as he leaps over an obstacle during the “Toughest Talon” competition, Oct 3. The purpose of “Toughest Talon” is to build unit cohesion and challenge Soldiers’ endurance. (Photo by Junki Lee, 2CAB)  

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA

11.10.2019

Story by Sgt. Courtney Davis 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

Sweat, grit and willpower – a fight to the finish

By Sgt. Courtney Davis
2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
CAMP Humphreys, Republic of Korea – Sweat, grit and willpower; a fight to the finish. Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade participated in this quarter’s “Toughest Talon” competition at Camp Humphrey’s confidence course, Oct 3.
High stepping over logs or low crawling under wires, each obstacle tested the Talons’ cardiovascular endurance and stamina.
“Being in competition like the ‘Toughest Talon’ helps to build morale and esprit de corps,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Zanders, command chief warrant officer, 2CAB, and Gary, Indiana, native. “It tested my fitness level and had me believing I was younger than I actually am.”
The battalions were on a mission to complete the course in the fastest time possible.
“’Toughest Talon’ brought out my competitive nature,” said Zanders. “Plus, the events put a huge emphasis on team work.”
Once the teams finished swinging on ropes, sliding for their lives, hopping on islands and busting bellies; they sprinted fiercely towards the Super Gym, where 2CAB’s rotational battalion, 4-6 Heavy Attack Reconnaissance Squadron would become the victor.
The Soldiers of 4-6 HARS received a coin and a handshake from the brigade’s commander and Seattle, Washington native, Col. Brian T. Watkins.
“Winning matters, we all should want to test ourselves,” said Watkins. “Much like war, this was a team sport and it is conducted outside. We must train like we would fight, together and without ceasing. Katchi Kapshida, Talons, Fear the Birds of Prey.”
2CAB’s ‘Toughest Talon’ competition happens quarterly getting more interesting and intense each time.

-S2N-

• Date Taken: 11.10.2019
• Date Posted: 11.15.2019 08:15
• Story ID: 351877
• Location: CAMP HUMPHREYS, KR