Global Strike Challenge score-posters combine past, present to make event shine

by Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

10/29/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  -- As the time quickly approaches for Air Force Global Strike Command's fourth Global Strike Challenge to wrap-up, the teams have finished competing and scores are being tallied to determine who will be named the "best of the best" in the bomber, missile, helicopter and security forces communities.

However, there is one group that is still hard at work and training up until the last minute for their role as official score-posters at the GSC scoreposting ceremony.

Chosen for their professionalism, sharp appearance and dedication, the eight score-posters, Senior Master Sgt. Travis Chadick, Senior Master Sgt. Randall Kingfisher, Master Sgt. August Rochon, Master Sgt. Joelle Silny, Master Sgt. Arman Soriano, Master Sgt. Steven Zaleski, Master Sgt. Warren Moran, Tech. Sgt. Jessica Chebaro and Staff Sgt. Joshua Begley, have been practicing for weeks to ensure the big event during which the competition winners are announced goes off without a hitch.

"Teams across the command have put in countless hours of training and put the best of the best their wings have to offer and it's our position as command leads to put on a show that coincides with their efforts," said Master Sgt. August F. Rochon Jr., an ICBM Facilities Systems Manager from
Rayne, Louisiana.

The scoreposting ceremony goes back to the roots of the original bomb and missile competitions, with very serious, very professional NCOs posting the scores to build suspense in the audience. While the scoreposting is serious business, the score-posters do add a level of trickery and fun to the ceremony, which keeps the winners a surprise until the last minute.

"All eyes will be watching what we are doing on the stage. We can set the tone for the event and add some fun to it as well," said Senior Master Sgt. Randall Kingfisher, Superintendent for ICBM Requirements from Grove, Oklahoma. "I am really looking forward to hearing the competitors yelling and cheering and seeing their excitement in being rewarded for their hard work."

This was the first year junior enlisted members were added to the scoreposting team, including SSgt Joshua Begley, noncommissioned officer in charge of supply and logistics for the 2nd Security Forces Squadron.

Begley, who hails from Owsley County, Kentucky, said he was honored and privileged to be able to be part of this event.

"It feels really good to be chosen for scoreboard posting and to my understanding I'm the first Jr NCO to be chosen for scoreboard posting," he said. "I guess what I'm looking forward to the most is being able to say that I'm part of a heritage and tradition that has been going on for many years now."

In another first, Tech. Sgt. Robin Samolinski, a spectrum manager with AFGSC's communications directorate from Cleveland, Ohio, is the first enlisted member chosen to serve as emcee for the scoreposting ceremony.

Samolinski, who just moved to Barksdale from Mountain Home Air Force Air Force Base, had no idea what Global Strike Challenge was when she volunteered to audition as emcee.

"Now that I realize what this event is about and understand the level of importance this is for Global Strike Command, I'm honored, humbled and thankful to have landed such a key role and to be a part of something way bigger than I ever imagined," she said. "The thing I am looking forward to most is the thrill of being in front of so many amazing people and sharing in their glory!"