2023 Police Week Defender Challenge

By Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie , Space Base Delta 2 Public Affairs / Published May 18, 2023

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Competitors gather for opening remarks and ground rules establishment at the 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge on Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Teams competed in a HUMVEE pull, pull-ups, ammo can 4x100 relay, litter carry and push-up events. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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Two competitors run in the 4x100 Ammo can relay, during the 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Each fire team had to carry two 20-pound ammo cans, in a 4X100 relay race and the fastest time won. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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A contestant for the 2023 Police Week Defender Challenge picks up an ammo can at the track on Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Each fire team had to carry two 20-pound ammo cans, in a 4X100 relay race and the fastest time won. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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A U.S. Air Force competitor in the 2023 Police Week Defender Challenge competed in timed push-ups at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Each fire team had 1 minute (per member) to do as many push-ups as they could, and the most total number of push-ups won. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

View under humvee being pulled by people

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A 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge team competes in the Humvee Pull event at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Each team had 1 Minute to pull the HUMVEE as far as they are able, furthest distance wins. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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A U.S. Air Force competitor in the 2023 Police Week Defender Challenge recovers after competing in the ammo can 4x100 relay at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Each fire team had to carry two 20-pound ammo cans, in a 4X100 relay race and the fastest time won. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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A 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge team compete in the Humvee Pull event at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Each team had 1 Minute to pull the Humvee as far as they are able, furthest distance wins. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Whitney, 460th Security Forces Squadron senior enlisted leader, congratulates Tech. Sgt. Christopher Rundell, 460th Civil Engineer Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of HVAC, after the Humvee pull event at the 2023 Police Week Defender Challenge on Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Teams competed in a HUMVEE pull, pull-ups, ammo can 4x100 relay, litter carry and push-up events. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Rundell, 460th Civil Engineer Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of HVAC, runs in the ammo can 4x100 relay during the 2023 Police Week Defender Challenge at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. Teams competed in a HUMVEE pull, pull-ups, ammo can 4x100 relay, litter carry and push-up events. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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An individual competition medal for the 2023 Police Week Defender Challenge that shows the beret and skull, May 17, 2023. Teams competed in a HUMVEE pull, pull-ups, ammo can 4x100 relay, litter carry and push-up events. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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U.S. Air Force Major Robert Rice, 460th Security Forces Squadron commander (right) and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Whitney, 460th SFS senior enlisted leader (Right), award the 460th Civil Engineer team as Grand Champions for the 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 17, 2023. The winning team members are from left to right, 1st Lt. Michael Plaza, Staff Sgt. Jose Salas, 1st Lt. Conner Blake and Tech Sgt. Christopher Rundell. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dwain Bartels, 460th Civil Engineer Squadron commander (left) and Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Campbell, 460th CES senior enlisted leader (right) pose for a photo with the 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge Grand Champions from the 460th CES. The winning team members are from left to right, Tech Sgt. Christopher Rundell, 1st Lt. Micheal Plaza, Staff Sgt. Jose Salas, and 1st Lt. Conner Blake. (U.S. Space Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. --

The 460th Security Forces Squadron hosted the 2023 Police Week Defenders Challenge bringing teams from Space Base Delta 2 squadrons to compete in events at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, May 17, 2023.

The history of the challenge is to bring together partner nations as an all-star competition. Installations will host their own local competition like the 460th SFS, to bring awareness to police departments worldwide and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, in defense of their country.

The teams at Buckley competed in 5 events that include, a Humvee pull, pull-ups, litter or gurney carry, ammo can 4x100 relay and push-ups. All events were timed and then scores were tallied.

The 460th Civil Engineer Squadron took the Grand Championship for the 2023 challenge and will hold the badge trophy until next year's events.

Team members from the 460th CES included:

1st Lt. Micheal Plaza
Staff Sgt. Jose Salas
1st Lt. Conner Blake
Tech Sgt. Christopher Rundell

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