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Photo Information

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 get cooled off with water from a hose after their inaugural Ironman Challenge at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., on July 2, 2015. The Inaugural Ironman Challenge was comprised of a one-mile sandbag carry and wall and log negotiation. The event tested Marines’ mental and physical endurance while building camaraderie within the squadron.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez

MWSS-274 Marines dominate Ironman Challenge

2 Jul 2015 | Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

More than 100 Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 showed their skills and tested their endurance during the squadron’s inaugural Ironman Challenge here, July 2.

Competitors negotiated obstacles during the four-mile endurance race as a way to increase their physical endurance. The course was comprised of a one-mile sandbag carry, followed by multiple levels of stacked logs and wall obstacles.

The course was a different form of physical training than what the Marines are used to participating in, according to Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Lee, the MWSS-274 operations training chief and range safety officer for the event.

“It is good for the Marines to test themselves physically in various ways,” said Lee. “This is the Marines’ opportunity to push themselves and to show the squadron their capabilities.”

Cpl. Francisco Garciareyes and Cpl. Natalie Decamp received recognition for being the first male and female participants to successfully finish the course.

“Marines should always maintain high standards no matter what their military occupational specialty is,” said Garciareyes. “They must always rely on character, physical and mental discipline to overcome any obstacle.”

According to Garciareyes, the Ironman Challenge motivated and pushed the Marines to challenge each other and brought them together while building camaraderie.


2nd Marine Aircraft Wing