Army ‘Strong’ reigns in fitness challenge Published June 30, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The winner for the Battle of the Services Fitness Challenge came down to six teams in an obstacle course with Mother Nature hampering on the participants' will to win June 26. "The competition is a great way to form team building and camaraderie amongst the different services, said Senior Master Sgt. Carl Thompson, 18th Communications Squadron superintendent of plans and evaluations section. "We get our sister services to come out here to compete with each other, build team morale and just have a great time." The fitness challenge gathered together 17 teams from various military branches and units to compete against one another in multiple exercise challenges. After competing in the muddy obstacle course, Staff Sgt. Sabrina Gonzales from 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion said she hoped for her team to have the best overall score because they have been working hard for it and believes they deserve it. In the end she was right. The Army swept over the Air Force and Navy in the fitness challenge taking first through third place. First place went to the 1-1 ADA, second place was the Army's 1st Battalion, Special Forces, and third was the 1-1 ADA Charlie Battery. Staff Sgt. Gonzalez said the fitness challenge "certainly brought the services together and had everyone cheering each other on." The fitness challenge is an annual event for all military services to participate against one another in an attempt to claim fitness supremacy. The 1-1 ADA will be given the opportunity to defend their title next year.