Team Buckley ready to compete at 2010 Guardian Challenge Published March 23, 2010 By Senior Airman Stephen Musal 460th Space Wing Public Affairs BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Fourteen Team Buckley Airmen are competing in the 2010 Air Force Space Command Guardian Challenge, which began March 1. The representatives from the 460th Space Wing are separated into three teams - combat communications, security forces and space operations - for the competitions. "Those who compete in Guardian Challenge represent the best Air Force Space Command has to offer," said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Small, AFSPC command chief. "But, this is about more than competitors and competition. It's an opportunity to hone our skills and better prepare us to win the joint fight." Every two years since 1994, AFSPC has held Guardian Challenge. This competition is designed to improve readiness and sharpen skills necessary to defend our nation in space operations. Last August, 24th Air Force stood up under AFSPC to handle the Air Force cyberspace mission. As such, this Guardian Challenge will include cyberspace wings and will help AFSPC teams prepare to defend the nation in cyberspace, as well. "We are eager to welcome aboard cyberspace forces for this year's competition," said Col. William "Oz" Nelson, Guardian Challenge competition commander. The competition will culminate May 20 and 21 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Members of the 2010 Guardian Challenge Team Buckley Space Communications team are (team managers) Staff Sgts. Joseph Neikirk and Brandon Hayes, (trainer) Staff Sgt. Joshua Black, (competitors) and Airmen 1st Class Scott Mattan and Christopher Cianfrone-Adams. All are from the 460th Space Communications Squadron. Members of the 2010 Guardian Challenge Team Buckley Security Forces team are Staff Sgts. Randall Fischer and Mario Hernandez, 137th Space Warning Squadron, Airman 1st Class Eric Leyva, 460th Space Communications Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Ricardo Reyna, 460th Security Forces Squadron. Members of the 2010 Guardian Challenge Team Buckley Space Operations team are (team manager) 2nd Lt Mike Olson, (trainers) Capt. Mike Lockette, Master Sgt. Phil Whitley, (competitors) Maj. Jarrod Moseley and Capt. Stephanie Meyers. All are from the 137th Space Warning Squadron at Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colo.