Kingsley's warrior ethos tested at the 2015 Iron Owl Challenge

by Senior Airman Penny Snoozy
173rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/6/2015 - KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Four members of the 173rd Fighter Wing participated in this year's Iron Owl Challenge held in multiple locations across Klamath County, May 15th - 17th.

The Iron Owl tests participants in the rigorous, demanding challenges that represent military Special Operations training.

2nd Lt. Adrian Mateos-Chavarria, Master Sgt. Ross Hawkins, Tech. Sgt. Clinton Wells, and Staff Sgt. Chris Hernandez made up team Kingsley.

"I am proud of the fact that we had representation from across the wing." said Mateos-Chavarria. "They demonstrated the high level of readiness and team work that characterizes Team Kingsley,"

In addition to Team Kingsley, members of the Air Force, Army, and Navy Reserve Officers' Training Corps participated in the event.

"It's inspiring to see the high level of performance and courtesy of the future generation of men and women that will be defending our country after graduating from the ROTC [program]." said Mateos-Chavarria.

The first two days of the event feature sleep and hunger deprivation, among other pleasantries. Other events included a broad range of activities including multiple ruck marches, water survival tasks while in full gear, two consecutive cross-fit workouts, academic and attention to detail testing, night-time and day-time land navigation, a five mile special operations course, open lake swimming, two Marine Corps physical fitness tests, an Army Physical Fitness Test, and a full day of small arms courses on the last day. The first two days of the event feature sleep deprivation and hunger, among other pleasantries.

"Iron Owl is a great opportunity," said Mateos-Chavarria. "For those willing to measure if they are fit to fight as it tests an individual's mental and physical capacity while integrating the vital portion of teamwork required to fight and win."

The event honors wounded warriors and fallen brothers-in-arms. A special part of the challenge is to have teams carry a cinder block brick as a "Fifth man" throughout the grueling three day event. This brick contains a laminated placard with the heroic actions of the military member who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Iron Owl Challenge is partnered with Oregon Institute of Technology to honor the Veterans of our community. Events took place across Klamath County to include the Ella Redkey pool, Topsy Reservoir, and Klamath Sportsman's Park.