SELMA, Texas –Airmen from across the world competed in the second annual Alpha Warrior Final Battle, Friday, Nov. 16 at the Alpha Warrior Proving Grounds, Retama Park, Selma, Texas.
“Alpha Warrior brings a new way of getting fit, building teamwork and becoming the warfighters we need to be for future threats and future environments,” said Maj. Gen. Brad Spacy, commander, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. “They’re teaching you how to train to be stronger and they challenge you mentally.”
This year 42 Airmen embarked on that challenge together. Six came out on top.
The top six male and female winners are competing tomorrow, Nov. 17 in the first-ever inter-service battle against Army and Navy competitors.
First place – Capt. Noah Palicia from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Senior Airman Stephanie Williams from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
Second place – Capt. Mark Bishop from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and 1st Lt. Stephanie Frye from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Third place – 1st Lt. John Novotny from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Capt. Jennifer Wendland from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado.
Williams traveled all the way from England to compete and was excited and humble to win first place in the Air Force Final Battle.
“There were so many great athletes here today and I’m just really thankful to be able to represent the Air Force tomorrow as we face the Army and Navy.”
Her mother, Christine Reinelt traveled from Erie, Pennsylvania to cheer on her daughter.
“Her family, friends and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She has inspired so many with her dedication, drive, motivation and overall her kind and humble nature. I’m very glad to be able to witness all her hard work pay off!” she said.
Williams praised the AFSVA fitness course, which provides training to physical training leaders and fitness center staff on how to properly use Alpha Warrior equipment.
"It definitely helped prepare me for the final battle," she said.
The program, managed by the Air Force Services Activity, a subordinate unit of AFIMSC, partnered with Alpha Warrior to provide dynamic fitness training options that focus on the four pillars of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness: physical, spiritual, mental and social.
A combination of obstacles and functional fitness apparatuses challenge competitors in various ways to include climbing, pull ups, gymnastic rings, running, jumping, and weight-lifting.
“Unlike typical workouts, this program tests Airmen resiliency and builds confidence as they push through challenges,” said Jim Anderson, programs branch chief, AFSVA. “Events like this build Airmen camaraderie; they have a common goal to complete a challenge, they motivate each other and most stay connected throughout their career. That’s what the Air Force is about.”
“We built a program with everyone in mind. From a training standpoint our workouts are setup so that anyone can step in at any moment and do the workout,” said Chad Leath, director of performance, Alpha Warrior.
Alpha Warrior’s focus right now is the military.
“We feel the military are the most important athletes in the world and we want to treat them as such,” Leath said.
The initial vision was an obstacle course but Alpha Warrior had an idea to take it one step further.
“We developed a fitness program to focus on Airmen getting stronger, in better shape, where they can lose fat, increase muscle mass and at the end of the day, they’re ready for battle,” he said.
According to many of the competitors, the obstacle course was challenging but that was just the beginning.
Eighteen competitors across the Army, Navy and Air Force will go head-to-head in a friendly rivalry competition at Retama Park, Nov.17. It’s the first inter-service battle and it’s promising to be a great one.
For more information about the upcoming Air Force Alpha Warrior Final Battle or Inter-Service Alpha Warrior Battle visit https://www.afimsc.af.mil/Units/Air-Force-Services-Activity/Air-Force-Alpha-Warrior/ and http://www.myairforcelife.com/Fitness/alpha-warrior.aspx.