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Global Strike Challenge 2012: Meet the Operations Group team members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Dyess aircrews recently took to the skies with aspirations of representing Dyess as the premier bomb wing during the 3rd annual Global Strike Challenge.

The Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition with units participating from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard. Through competition and teamwork, the event fosters esprit de corps, recognizes outstanding Air Force personnel and teams, and improves combat capabilities.

Following a disappointing performance in last year's Global Strike Challenge, the 7th OG hopes to rebound and return to past successes.

"Our aviators diligently train to a wide variety of capabilities regarding various world-wide contingency operations with every sortie we fly," said Col. Mark Bennett, 7th OG commander. "We take our responsibilities seriously because we know the combatant commanders and the American people expect us to project global power with precise desired effects. I expect our team to perform at the GSC with the same standard of excellence that our community has demonstrated during sustained combat operations for over the past 10 years."

The bomber operations portion of the GSC has three main components for aircrews to earn points. The first component is the bomb score. Aircrews are judged on how close bombs are dropped to the targets. The second component is timing control, where aircrews are penalized for every second, early or late, the bomb hits the target. The third component being judged is a real-world combat bombing scenario.

Official score-posting will be at Barksdale AFB, La., Nov. 4-8, in conjunction with the symposium.

Representing the 7th Operations Group in this year's GSC is the 9th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Squadron, 7th Operations Support Squadron and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron.

9th Bomb Squadron

Representing the 9th Bomb Squadron are pilots Capt. Alex Datzman and Capt. Chris Pace, as well as weapon system officers Lt. Col. William Edmunds and Maj. Jacob Jaworski.

Since recently returning from the largest B-1 deployment in the last 10 years, the 9th BS, or 'Bats,' were primed and ready to participate in the GSC with expectations of nothing less than perfection.

"I felt we had a bit of an advantage going into the Global Strike Challenge, due to us recently returning from combat operations," Edmunds said. "I felt very good about our performance during our mission. We hit all three targets with excellent timing."

According to Edmunds, the Bats are the choice B-1 squadron across the Air Force and whether it's a real-world scenario or competitive exercise, the Bats take advantage of every opportunity to showcase their capabilities.

"We're the Bats," he added. "We expect perfection every time."

28th Bomb Squadron

Selected to represent the 28th Bomb Squadron are pilots Capt. Mike Taylor and Capt. Adam Chitwood, as well as weapon system officers Capt. Michael Weber and Capt. Ajay Giri.

Serving as ambassador to the B-1, the 28th BS, or Mohawks, is competing in the GSC for a third straight year. The Mohawks pride themselves on their reputation for being known as a center of excellence in B-1 community, and look to their experienced instructors to ensure Dyess brings home the Fairchild Trophy for best bomb wing.

7th Operations Support Squadron

Representing the 7th Operations Support Squadron are pilots Maj. Dave Grasso and Lt. Col. Paul Klingler, as well as weapon system officers Maj. Kyle Schlewinsky and Maj. Jeffrey Keim.

Throughout the past three years, the 7th OSS has proved to be Dyess' most decorated squadron when it comes to the GSC. As the reigning Eaker Trophy champion for best B-1 squadron, the 7th OSS showcased Dyess' most experienced crew for the GSC, hoping to continue their tradition of excellence.

"Our crew was filled with veteran operators who have years of B-1 experience," said Schlewinsky. "Having the abilities and experience that we have gave us a huge advantage during global strike due to the competitions rapidly changing scenarios."

Schlewinsky also admitted that the aircrew felt the pressure of the competition, but that pressure is exactly what these operators thrive on.

"It's exactly like game day," he said. "You endlessly practice and hone in on your skills until game day rolls around. That's when the fun begins, where you get to display and show exactly what you're made of."

337th Test and Evaluation Squadron

Selected to represent the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron are pilots Capt. Alicia Datzman and Maj. Jon Hougnon, as well as weapon system officers Maj. Thomas Bryant and Capt. Artur Kosycarz.

The 337th TES is an operational test squadron for the B-1 community. This squadron also features an experienced and confident aircrew who are prepared to stand atop the podium come November.