Warrior skills on show at combat competition

The unit came in 5^th place out of 15 teams at the week-long, annual Pacific Air Forces Advanced Combat Skills Assessment (PACAF ACSA) at Andersen Air Force Base, last month. There were also individual podium finishes for team members.

It was the second time the team had competed, going head-to-head with teams from Germany’s Bundeswehr armed forces, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Philippine Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, and eight teams from the United States Air Force.

The competition tested combat skills, endurance, and readiness to support military air operations in the Pacific across six demanding events - combat fitness, combat agility, combat fitness endurance, marksmanship, and the combatives tournament, which evaluates the ability of individuals successfully using Security Forces Combative live roll techniques.

Flight Lieutenant Sarah Magnussen was the team’s liaison, working alongside partner nations and attending planning meetings to discuss future opportunities for training and exercises. The lineup also consisted of a coach and five team members, including a reserve.

“It's a competition for all the security forces to showcase their skills and have that warrior mindset in competition. It’s also an opportunity to build relationships with our partner nations.

“There was a real competitive spirit and everyone was encouraging - it was a great atmosphere.”

In the couple of days leading up to the competition, the team members familiarised themselves with the American weapon systems and equipment that would be used during the tournament, Flight Lieutenant Magnussen said.

“That was probably the biggest challenge for us – integrating into the specific American standard operating procedures, which were slightly different to ours. The American teams had a slight advantage in that regard.”

However, despite the US advantage, it was the Australian team that topped the overall leaderboard at the end.

Standout RNZAF performances during the competition:

• Overall placing fifth

Combat Fitness:

• 3rd overall as a team
• AC Blake Fromont – 1st individual (out of 75+ competitors)
• AC Ethan Robinson – 3rd individual

Combatives Tournament:

• RNZAF Team – 2^nd place overall
• AC Blake Fromont – 2nd place overall
• LAC Phoebe Renee – Fastest submission (arm bar) of the competition