$Four members of the Kodiak Maulers from 673rd Security Forces Squadron compete against the Arctic Defenders from the 545th Military Police Company in the litter-carry event during the Hero Games in Anchorage June 18. The games pitted police offi cers, fi refi ghters, and military teams against each other for prizes. (U.S. Air Force photo\Steve White)$

Annual games pit first responders against each other

Four members of the Kodiak Maulers from 673rd Security Forces Squadron compete against the Arctic Defenders from the 545th Military Police Company in the litter-carry event during the Hero Games in Anchorage June 18. The games pitted police offi cers, fi refi ghters, and military teams against each other for prizes. (U.S. Air Force photo\Steve White)

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$Team Arctic Falcons of the 673rd Medical Squadron from Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson try to catch a water-fi lled ballon as part of a volleyball game during the Hero Games in downtown Anchorage. (U.S. Air Force photo\Steve White)$

Annual games pit first responders against each other

Team Arctic Falcons of the 673rd Medical Squadron from Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson try to catch a water-fi lled ballon as part of a volleyball game during the Hero Games in downtown Anchorage. (U.S. Air Force photo\Steve White)

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$Alaska Army National Guard team members compete in the tug-o-war event of the 2011 Hero Games June 18. The Hero Games are held each year during the Summer Solstice Festival in downtown Anchorage. (U.S. Air Force photo\Maj. Guy Hayes)$

Annual games pit first responders against each other

Alaska Army National Guard team members compete in the tug-o-war event of the 2011 Hero Games June 18. The Hero Games are held each year during the Summer Solstice Festival in downtown Anchorage. (U.S. Air Force photo\Maj. Guy Hayes)

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$Airman 1st Class Philip Runge, bass player for the Air Force Band of the Pacifi c’s rock band Top Cover, performs for the crowd following the Hero Games in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, June 18. (U.S. Air Force photo\Steve White)$

Annual games pit first responders against each other

Airman 1st Class Philip Runge, bass player for the Air Force Band of the Pacifi c’s rock band Top Cover, performs for the crowd following the Hero Games in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, June 18. (U.S. Air Force photo\Steve White)

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Annual games pit first responders against each other

Published June 23, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders
JBER PA

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- On June 18, Alaskans celebrated 52 years of statehood, and service members celebrated with the 3rd annual Hero Games.

The games are a friendly competition between the local police, military, the local fire department and first responders.

The Hero Games started in the summer of 2008 after the National Firefighters Combat Challenge came to Anchorage. The challenge required participants to demonstrate a high level of physical fitness on a team level, but remained a spectator-friendly event.
This year's Hero Games included six events - an obstacle course, water-balloon volleyball, a scooter race, tug-o-war, litter carry, and bucket-brigade-and-vehicle-push.
Each event allowed for crowd participation and lots of laughs.

The Alaska Army National Guard team, "Predators of the North" took first place overall. The team was presented their plaque by Chuck "Iceman" Liddell, renowned mixed martial artist.