Fires rage during Dragonfest challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena's 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, and the team of Marines from Camp Hanson's 3rd Intelligence Battalion waged war for the rightful title of "Top Dragon" during DragonFest at the Risner Gym Sept. 24.

The contest, which was created by the 961st AACS last year, tested the skills of the three teams in various events such as ultimate football, volleyball, a chili cook-off, dodge ball, a 4-by-400 meter relay race, and a tug-of-war match.
Last year, 18th CMS claimed the DragonFest trophy, making them the host for this year's scrimmage.

"The 961st came up with it and we took it," boasted Tech. Sgt. Jermaine Boyd, 18th CMS coordinator for this year's event. "We plan on taking it again this year."

Ultimate football and volleyball started the competition with each unit breaking into smaller teams to compete in tournament-fashion.

As the teams pushed each other's limits on the court, the volleyball tournament came down to the final match - 18th CMS against the 3rd IB.

"Set it up!" an onlooker shouted to the team in blue as they hit the volleyball upward, inches away from the net stretched across the court. As players from both teams jumped in unison with the ball, the Airman spiked the ball into the crowd of huddling Marines, scoring two points and giving them the lead over 3rd IB, 23-21.

But the Marines didn't fold and managed to pull out a come-from-behind victory over the 18th CMS earning them 10 points toward Top Dragon title.

Meanwhile, things heated up as 961st AACS tackled ultimate football against 18th CMS for the opening game. It served as a warm-up for both sides, where each explored various strategies for both offensive and defensive setups. Both teams consistently capitalized on their opponent's dropped passes by quickly striking on their opponent's end-zone. The 961st AACS beat 18th CMS in the first round, 6-3.

In the second ultimate football matchup, the 3rd IB fought for the lead against 18th CMS. The Marines used a long-game offensive strategy and a clustering and swarming defensive strategy to overwhelm the CMS, who stuck to shorter passes. Early in the game, the CMS was unable to thread their passes through the swarming Marines, but connected on a few longer key plays for their points. However, The Marines defeated CMS, 13-3.

In the third and final round of ultimate football, the 961st AACS and the 3rd IB battled for the championship in a longer, 30-minute game. Having both seen the other team play, both teams selected strategies that varied slightly from the earlier games. The AACS worked to control the center of the field, both offensively and defensively, and played a possession game, working the ball backwards or to the wings in order to prevent turnovers which might lead to quick points for the Marines. The 3rd IB, however, kept up a fast and furious vertical game, with much of it played down the wings and then deep into the end zone for points. The game was tied at 5-5 until the AACS pulled ahead with an 8-5 lead, and closed the deal with a final score of 8-6. The event awarded the 961st AACS 10 points for their first place finish.

The teams then joined up for a joint-services barbecue and chili cook-off during the intermission where two judges from each team put their taste buds to work at finding the ultimate chili-cooking champion. Despite the competition, each team came together for some friendly bonding.

"We're here to build camaraderie between the joint services," Marine Sgt. Maj. Mike Lanpolsaen stated. "I know there was a lot of effort on the Air Force side to set this up, and I'm glad to come down and help get the events started."

The six judges tasted samples of each team's chili and voted on the one they thought tasted best.

"The judges tasted each chili and then gave me their top three," said Sergeant Boyd. "The chili with the most first place votes won. Second and third were then chosen by the most first, second and then third place votes."

Once again, the 3rd IB took first place, followed by 961st AACS in second and 18th CMS in third.

After getting their chili fill, players took to the court again for dodge ball. Each teammate with each unit performed contortionist-like moves, from twisting, jumping and diving to dodge constant barrages of flying balls.

The games progressed to a toe-to-toe match between the 3rd IB and 18th CMS. The Marines made quick work out of 18th CMS striking down the entire team before time expired.

After the first four competitions came to a close, the Marines stood in first place with 37 points, followed by the 961st AACS in second place with 27 points and 18th CMS in third with 24 points.

The teams then made their way to the track outside the gym for the final two events.
Each unit then designated their fastest four runners to pass batons in the 4-by-400 meter relay race. As a member from each team lined up on the line, they set themselves up for the quickest off-the-line start.

The starter signaled the competitors to begin their sprint around the track, and it was 3rd IB in a steadily growing lead that continued through the first quarter-mile, with 18th CMS in second and 961st AACS in a close third. With each lap, as the runners crossed the line and handed the next teammate the baton, the gap grew smaller between the first- and second-place runners, but the last lap finished with 3rd IB in first, 18th CMS in second and 961st AACS in third.

The teams then moved onto the final event of the tournament - the tug-of-war.
The battle waged between the Marines and 961st AACS Airmen. After only a few moments, they were able to defeat the Airmen in both matches.

Next up was the 961st AACS and 18th CMS. The 18th CMS was able to overpower the other Airmen in both matches and put the championship between the Airmen from 18th CMS and the Marines from 3rd IB.

As the first championship match kicked off, tension began to build. The Marines chimed in unison "kill, kill, kill," while Airmen on the other end countered with "live, live, live." Just as the rope started to give way toward a clear winner, it broke in half, sending both sides to the ground like string of dominos.

Officials quickly retied the rope and the match got underway. After an intense scuffle and relentless outcries, the 18th CMS team managed to bring down the Marines in both matches, adding 10 more points to their overall score.

Despite their hard-fought victory behind the rope, the 18th CMS could not muster up enough total points to come out on top for the entire contest.

In first place with 54 points, the 3rd IB took home the trophy and the honorary title of Top Dragon. In second place stood 18th CMS with 41 points, and in third was 961st AACS with 37 points.

"All of the Marines from 3rd Intel had a great time," said Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Beau Babkirk who carried off the trophy on behalf of the 3rd IB. "There was some good competition and great sportsmanship, and 3rd Intel looks forward to hosting the 2011 DragonFest at Camp Hansen."