Dover AFB’s 1st Air Force Alpha Warrior Challenge Published May 23, 2017 By Staff Sgt. Jared Duhon 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Professional athletes visited with Team Dover to showcase Dover’s First Alpha Warrior Challenge May 17, 2017, at the Fitness Center here. The challenge had more than 30 Airmen participate and showcase what was capable on a battle rig. Functional fitness is what the rig focused on and is vital to the Air Force’s new program. “The daily and sustained use of Alpha Warrior equipment will sharpen our Airmen’s physical and mental abilities,” said Jim Anderson, the chief of Air Force Services Activity’s business and recreation branch. “Maintaining that functional fitness is important because it enables them to face physical and mental challenges at home and in a deployed environment.” Brent Steffensen, a professional athlete with Alpha Warrior, believes it is important to do agility and obstacle training, because the Air Force doesn’t just need people looking good, they need to be functional. “Think of it like a muscle car,” said Steffensen. “You can have a muscle car but if you don’t know how to drive it, the car won’t do you any good.” Prior to the start of the challenge participates were able to practice on the rig and get a feel for each task. Staff Sgt. Brain Lecates, 436th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor, was one of the participants and like what the rig and program had to offer. “The practice provided great insight and technique handling for preparation for the competition,” said Lecates. “When it came to the competition, my goal was to emulate the techniques used when the professional athletes gave everyone a demonstration. Everyone should consider trying a functional fitness obstacle to challenge themselves and Alpha Warrior [challenge] could be their first.” The challenge is part of the Air Forces newest fitness training initiative focusing on functional training and building on the Comprehensive Airman Fitness model. “The Alpha Warrior Program is nothing but exceptional when it comes to my personal needs; especially when it challenges your physical abilities that you may not use on a regular workout regimen,” Lecates said. “The Alpha Warrior Program is just another tool to keep your body conditioned physically, spiritual and emotionally. These are not easy obstacles, but if an individual mentally prepares themselves to take that extra leap, with a never quit mindset, they can accomplish any goal.” One of the professional athletes, Rebekah Bonilla, thought it was important to bring this challenge to the Air Force. “I feel super honored to support and to offer value to the United States Armed Forces,” said Bonilla. “It is humbling and meaningful to bring something that offers fun, excitement and functional fitness. I fell it could also boost morale.” The challenge at Dover AFB is part of a larger program which will includes a 15-region competition starting in September with the top male and female qualifiers from each region guaranteed to move on to compete in an Air Force-wide competition at the Alpha Warrior Challenge course in San Antonio in November. The 10 male and 10 female competitors with the fastest times from across the Air Force will join the 30 regional champions for a total of 50 Air Force athletes earning a spot in the final competition. For more information check out the links below: http://www.myairforcelife.com/Fitness/alpha-warrior.aspx http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1152146/af-alpha-warrior-program-ensures-airmens-functional-fitness/