Sweatin' to the Team Cohesion Challenge

  • Published
  • By D.P. Heard
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Participants had finally completed a brutal hour of strenuous exercises when U.S. Army Special Forces operator Maj. Sean Coffman informed them that they had just completed the welcoming portion of the Team Cohesion Challenge, which took place at Offutt on Aug. 22.

This welcoming stage consisted of repeated trips up a steep hill while carrying a fully loaded ruck or backpack in civilian terms. Participants also had to crab walk and bear crawl, all while bearing the weight of the ruck.

As the participants endured this test of will, Coffman tested their focus and knowledge by asking military themed questions and if they could not answer them correctly it resulted in another trip up the hill.

All of the work participants put in during the first hour of the challenge was to prepare them to carry the standard military rucksack while on a seven-mile march under counterfeit adverse conditions. After all the questions had been answered, or not, and the welcome portion had concluded the real fun began as they heaved the heavy rucks on their backs and departed for the wooded area outside of the gate and heading toward the base lake.

They walked single file through the woods for a couple of miles before encountering a swarm of bees. The bees were relentless and I'm not sure if anyone got stung. A couple of people had some good bug spray that repelled the bees long enough for them to head down towards the fence and wade through about two feet of muddy water for a while to get past where the bees seemed to be congregating.

"I got with Master Sgt. Joseph Cook and Staff Sgt. Ryan Fitz, who are security forces members, and they showed me the route they use for some of their exercises," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Hicks. "We used some of their route and then came up with our own."

After avoiding the sting, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Oles, Airman Leadership School instructor, who had become ill earlier, started leading the pack and even carrying the flag.

The weather was kind to the group in the morning as clouds kept the air relatively cool but that didn't last long because in the afternoon, the sun came out and heated things up. The group continued their journey by following the chain link fence through the woods heading to the old base lake gate.

When they finally emerged from the woods Coffman called for an intermission. At this point, everyone was ready for a short break and a chance to drink water. The challenge wasn't all brutal, physical labor. During the team's short interlude, Coffman turned on some music and they all began to dance. The change in atmosphere was a real chance to unwind and recharge for everyone that embraced it.

After the music faded, they formed two columns and continued on their journey. At this point, Hicks, who helped organize the challenge, took the flag and the lead. The group finally emerged from the forest and into the light and formed up on the concrete behind the base lake gate for another session of squats and other exercises all leading them closer to the half-way point.

Once the group arrived at the base lake, they all participated in a short relay game then headed for the last of the lake exercises - a truck pull. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Letisha Dagraca, 55th Force Support Squadron fitness supervisor, had the task of steering the truck while everyone else pulled. At first, approximately 20 people pulled the truck with ease. Coffman then instructed them to have no more than 10 people pulling. It was more difficult, but it still seemed to be an easy task so he dropped the number of people pushing the truck down even further. Then you could see the strain on their faces as they pulled the truck towards the entrance of the base lake. Once they achieved their goal, they secured the truck off to the side of the road, formed up and began to march towards the base.

The entrance to the base had a surprise waiting for the squad - a log. The large cumbersome log was then attacked by the squad and carried half-way to the next phase of the challenge. 

Never leave an Airman behind. The next exercise put the squads resolve and dedication to that motto to the test as they had to simulate live fire evasion and fallen service member extraction where they had to proceed through the course carrying an artificial fallen service member.

After the obstacle course extraction exercises had been accomplished, they marched to the Offutt Fire Station.

The fire station had a surprise for the squad, more pushups and eight-count exercises. The special part of this set of exercises was doing it while being hosed down by firemen. After everyone was soggy and cooled off, they proceeded to form up and walk back to where the challenge started.

The enthusiastic crew from earlier in the day, who had visions of powering through the challenge with ease, now stood soaking wet, tired and a better appreciation for what military Special Forces elite units have to go through to be the best.

Coffman travels to various military installations to administer Team Cohesion Challenges.