2nd SFS Airman to coach AFGSC DC18 team

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tessa B. Corrick
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  

The Air Force Defender Challenge is making a comeback after a 14-year hiatus. The return is scheduled to run Sept. 10 - 14, 2018.

This year, Air Force Global Strike Command’s team will be coached by Barksdale’s own Tech. Sgt. Krystoffer Miller, 2nd Security Forces Squadron future operations NCO in-charge.

“I'm excited to have the opportunity to be a part of bringing back the heritage aspect of security forces,” Miller said. “I'm eager to meet with my team in person, begin training and seeing the younger generation thrive under the chaos and uncertainty.”

Miller was selected through a process of nomination based on criteria such as rank, time-in-service and experience. As the coach, he is the team’s senior advisor, in charge of tasks including developing the training plan, certain competition strategies and leadership oversight.

The competition, which is broken down into three main components – combat weapons, dismounted operation and combat endurance – will test the capability, strength and expertise of security forces members across Air Force major commands, and allied military members from Great Britain and Germany to see who will come out on top.

The Defender Challenge dates back more than 37 years to when Headquarters Air Force Office of Security Police held the first world-wide defender's competition, according to the Air Force Security Forces Center.

“We will compete on the fields of friendly strife with the best of the best, familiarize ourselves with how our coalition partners operate when all that matters is who finishes first – before lives are on the line, and continue a defender tradition, build upon that heritage and give this generation of defenders stories they will tell and experiences they will share for years to come," said Brig. Gen. Andrea Tullos, Air Force Security Forces director, in her announcement of the competition.

At the end of the competition, teams and individuals will be recognized for excellence. The first-place team will be awarded the coveted Defender Challenge Cup, which has been held by Great Britain since the last competition in 2004.

“Our desire is to give the best possible representation of the defenders within Global Strike,” Miller said. “We're not just going to compete. We're going to try to win the cup.”