Mud run fun - Security Forces vs SWAT

  • Published
  • By Capt. Robin Jackson
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To kick off Media Day at the Mather Mud Run, Friday Sept. 4, the Travis Air Force Base Security Forces challenged the reigning champs the Sacramento County Sheriff Department SWAT team to the confidence course. 

The challenge began with three 3-man teams of Air Force Security Forces guys and one 3-man team from SWAT team. The race began with the AF Alpha team in the lead followed by AF Team B and the SWAT team close on their heals with AF Team C not to far behind. The Alpha Team started with a young troop just out of basic, and he took the lead. The other teams gave a good race as the first leg lapped the ½ mile course sprinting the entire way, it set the precedent for each team member to give it their all. The second leg took off through the tires over the wall and down low through the tunnel then they headed off over the hill as they completed the second leg the final team members were ready to go, they each took off with a fire and the teams were so very close, as they came back over the hill the Boot Camp Drill Instructors made each one drop and five them 5 before launching into the mud puddle that was knee deep with mud and water and they had to low crawl under the ropes. The crowd cheered and the Alpha team was still in the lead, with the other three teams following close behind but they could not catch that Alpha. The Alpha team took the win with a time of 6:34. It was a great challenge and the Air Force took the title. AF Team B took 2nd place with a time of 6:58 followed by the SWAT Team at 6:58. In defense of the SWAT Team, they ran in fatigues and combat boots, which they claim, "the water in their boots slowed them down - it weighed 10 pounds more wet". We can give them that, we remember basic running in our combat boots, don't we (smile). The final AF Team C came in with a time of 7:04. All of the teams were in extremely good shape and had a lot of fun participating in this challenge. 

The entire Security Forces Squadron came out to cheer on their teams and the squadron did PT and ran the course as well, the commander's secretary, Rebecca Morse, also participated with them it was a true team effort. 

The media coverage was terrific and the reporter from CW31 actually ran the course as well with a few Air Force members, Senior Airman Thomas Blue and Tech. Sgt. William Rendall both jumped the wall and low crawled through the tunnel with reporter Courtney Dempsey while the Drill Instructors "motivated" them through the course.

Team members: Alpha Team - Airman 1st Class Brandon Barnes, Staff Sgt. John Patnaude, Staff Sgt. Daniel DeLeon; Team B - Staff Sgt. Anthony Coppola, Airman 1st Class Vince Washington, Senior Airman Kyle Combs; SWAT Team - Orrlando Mayes, Brian Prehoes, Scott Puffer; Team C - Senior Airman Nicole Yarak, Senior Airman John Allen, Airman 1st Class Joshua Torres.

Basic Training Boot Camp Program - Senior Drill Instructor Rodney Carson and Michael Nichols and Drill instructor John Huntsman.