LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency's 28th annual Sensor Olympics award banquet was held at Lackland Oct. 25.
Almost every Air Force command and Air Force Specialty Code has a competition to recognize the best of the best among them; airlifters have Airlift Rodeo; fighters have William Tell; maintainers have the Leo Marquez Award; and Space Command has Guardian Challenge.
The Air Force ISR Agency is no different, testing the abilities of 22 career fields that work within the AF ISR Agency through the Sensor Olympics and awarding gold, silver or bronze medals to the top performers.
Several things set Sensor Olympics apart from other competitions. The most noticeable is that competitors test individually in their career fields through written tests and simulations. Also, Sensor Olympics has been held annually since its inception in 1980.
The program originally called COMFY OLYMPICS was instituted in 1979 by retired Maj. Gen. Doyle Larson, former Electronic Security Command commander. While the program's name has changed over the years to reflect mission and organizational changes, the selection process has remained the same.
Competition begins at the unit level early in the year with more than 6,000 eligible enlisted Airmen; this field is narrowed to 400 individuals. After completing comprehensive exams written by subject matter experts from each career field, 66 finalists from AF ISR Agency units and historically attached units from all over the world are chosen to compete for bronze, silver and gold medals. The competition culminates with Sensor Olympic Week traditionally held in October at the AF ISR Agency, Lackland AFB.
"This multi-layered testing is intended to challenge technicians down to the unit level and increase their drive to improve their technical skills," said Master Sgt. John Knotts, Sensor Olympics Council president.
"Sensor Olympics goes to the heart of AFI 36-2618 or the little brown book," said Chief Master Sgt. Paul Weseloh, AF ISR Agency command chief. "Be technically ready to accomplish the mission; attain and maintain a skill level commensurate with their rank; and maintain a high degree of proficiency..."
"Competing in Sensor Olympics gives AF ISR Agency enlisted members a chance to confirm what they know and set goals for themselves in their competencies," Chief Weseloh said.
Although the mission of AF ISR Agency may emphasize ISR operations, this competition also spotlights mission partner career fields that play an important role in the AF ISR Agency.
"For those partner career fields that compete, such as security forces, finance, personnel and information management, it gives these folks the unique opportunity to set themselves apart from their peers while assigned here," Chief Weseloh added.
Each year, more than 300 AF ISR Agency members attend the banquet, so in addition to recognizing their job knowledge, Sensor Olympics also motivates participants to continue to excel in their career field. Members witness first-hand the support of leadership they may not see every day because of their geographically separate locations.
During Sensor Olympic Week, Oct. 22 through 26, finalists met with AF ISR Agency leadership to include meetings with their career field functional managers, command chief master sergeant and AF ISR Agency superintendents. They also attended mission briefs and tours of San Antonio and Lackland's training facilities.
A complete list of Sensor Olympics winners is posted at
www.afisr.af.mil.