JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The 902nd Security Forces Squadron will attempt to dethrone Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Fire Emergency Services as Battle of the Badges champion when the first responders meet in their annual competition Oct. 27-28.
The friendly but hard-fought battle, which dates back to 2011, will kick off with an opening ceremony and a softball game between the Fire “Dawgs” and Security Forces “Defenders,” at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at the Rambler Fitness Center softball field, and conclude with a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Airmen’s Heritage Park.
Points will be awarded for each of the competitive events and the winner will receive the Battle of the Badges trophy at the conclusion of Battle of the Badges. If the competition is tied following the event, the champion will be decided by a dance-off between Sparky and McGruff.
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The purpose of the competition is to bring all of us first responders together so we get to know one another better,” said Staff Sgt. Stefany Davila, 902nd SFS patrol officer and Battle of the Badges coordinator. “It will build morale and make us a better team when we have to respond to emergencies. We also want everyone to have fun.”
The opening ceremony will feature an invocation by one of JBSA-Randolph’s chaplains and remarks by Mark Ledford, JBSA Fire Emergency Services chief, and Lt. Col. Brandon Edge, 902nd SFS commander.
The second day of Battle of the Badges, Oct. 28, begin with the first competitive event, a combat challenge from firefighters to security forces members at 8 a.m. at the Camp Talon fire training area.
Other competitive events that day are a tactical shooting challenge at 10 a.m. at the shooting range on Perimeter Road as well as a volleyball game at 12:15 p.m. and an obstacle course challenge from security forces to firefighters at 1 p.m., both at Airmen’s Heritage Park.
The second day will also feature demonstrations by firefighters and security forces: a live fire demonstration at 9 a.m. at Camp Talon and a military working dog demonstration at 10 a.m.at Airmen’s Heritage Park.
A picnic for the families of firefighters and security forces members is planned at 11:15 a.m. at Airmen’s Heritage Park.