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Hundreds of Airmen compete in Viper Challenge

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Hundreds of Shaw Airmen, spouses and military civilians gathered at more than 25 events here to participate in Shaw's Annual Viper Challenge Sept. 29.

"The event is held annually as a morale booster and to bring the base community together for a day of fun and relaxation," said Charlie Glover, 20th Force Support Squadron fitness center fitness and sports director.

"The Viper Challenge got its name from the F-16 Viper and is comprised of many sports and fitness events such as one-pitch softball, billiards, tennis, 5-kilometer run, bench press, obstacle course and much more," he explained.

The recreation staff begins preparing for this event months beforehand, Mr. Glover added. The Viper Challenge is hosted by the fitness center and assisted by the golf course, community center, bowling center and outdoor recreation center.

Anyone assigned to Shaw as active duty, retiree, military civilian or spouse can participate, said Staff Sgt. Ebony Moore, 20th FSS fitness center special events coordinator. Personnel must participate with their unit and be approved to represent the squadron by the squadron commander.

Each participant views at a list of events and can sign up to participant in one or many throughout the day.

A unit will score points by entering assigned individuals in the events listed, she added. Unless otherwise stated, all ties will gain the points in position placed. A team must finish in order to be eligible to receive any points and points are awarded to the first through fourth place finishers.

The unit that has accumulated the most points at the conclusion of the last Viper Challenge event will be declared the winner and receive the Viper Challenge Plaque, said Staff Sgt. Charlotte Jones, 20th FSS fitness center special events coordinator. This plaque is placed in the winning squadron's place of honor for one year. After that year, the plaque will be up for grabs again with the next years' Viper Challenge.

The winner of this year's Viper Challenge is the 28th Operational Weather Squadron. The fitness center said this is the fifth year in a row the squadron has claimed victory in the Viper Challenge.