Arizona Nat. Guard --- 2010 Combat Arms Challenge

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of volunteering to help work a stage at the AZ Nat. Guard Combat Arms Challenge. This was a biathlon style event stressing physical fitness, and military combat skills. Teams of 2 Guard members were required to complete 10 stage events such as the M-16 event, claymore mine deployment, shotgun stage, obstacle course, long range rifle (squad designated marksman), M-67 Grenade throwing, M-9 pistol shooting, Close quarters Battle match, all the while being on the clock from start to finish, and having to run, walk, between stages a total of 3 to 5 miles depending on how many penalty laps (100 yds) at each stage were earned by missing a target. The stage I worked was the M-16/A4 rifle shoot, and teams had to assume the position and each would fire at 5 orange steel plates 12" square at 100 to 200 yds. These were tough targets (see pics), and most teams ended up runing a few penalty laps.
I was impressed by the skill, fitness and attitude of these young Guardsmen, and Women. Our country is in good hands! Ooh rah!