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Tech. Sgt. Rakauckas Leads 108th To Victory

By Major Ron Turk, Commander, 108 ARW/SFS

Tech. Sgt. Michael Rakauckas of the 108th Air Refueling Wing, Security Forces Squadron, was selected to be this year’s team leader for the Air Mobility Command Defender Challenge Team Oct. 21 through 24.

Defender Challenge is a U.S. Air Force Security Forces annual marksmanship competition that draws competitors throughout the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and foreign security forces teams. This year’s competition involved three events: the pistol challenge, the combat rifle course and the prestigious Sadler Cup competition. The Sadler Cup competition is a full day tactical exercise that involves combat skills and teamwork under stressful scenarios.

Tech. Sgt. Rakauckas takes aim

Tech. Sgt. Rakauckas was one of only two Air National Guard members to be selected to any U.S. Air Force Major Command team, and is the first Air Guard NCO to ever lead an active duty major command team. After performing in the pistol and combat rifle courses, Tech. Sgt. Rakauckas’ team kicked it into high gear and won the Sadler Cup competition. They received accolades from both the Security Forces Director and the Air Mobility Command Commander for exceptional leadership.

Tech. Sgt. Rakauckas is also an Air Mobility Command Raven. Raven teams receive special training and are frequently assigned as aircrew members to provide security to aircraft and personnel when traveling oversees to locations without security, or to high-threat areas.