Team “Red Tails” emerges victorious in Spartan Race

DANNELLY FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ala., -- Members of the Alabama Air National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing gathered in Conyers, Ga. March 8 to participate in an extreme four and a half mile long obstacle course called the Spartan Race.
The members of the 187th drew inspiration from their military heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen by naming their team "The Red Tails".
The Red Tails competed against 269 other teams in the Spartan Race and placed fifth overall.
The race consisted of 18 challenging obstacles, spanning a little more than four miles through the Georgia International Horse Park. The obstacles started off fairly easy, and progressed in difficulty, culminating in a 50-yard crawl through mud; under barbed-wire. From feats of strength, to endurance and agility, each obstacle station was designed to challenge the athletic abilities of the contestant. Upon completion, contestants were awarded a shirt and a medal to commemorate their accomplishment.
Time and obstacles were not the only challenges the Red Tails faced. Many stations incorporated environmental hazards to work against contestants. Racers had to wade through near freezing muddy water, a waist deep mud slide and jump over a fire pit.
With the military's focus on physical fitness, the team was formed in 2013 as a way for members of the 187th to participate in extreme obstacle courses and show their pride in their unit.