CSO, CMSSF announce Guardian Arena winners Published Dec. 10, 2024 By Tech. Sgt. Nick Z. Erwin Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) -- U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna announced the Guardian Arena winners during the Space Force Association Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Dec. 10. 105 Guardians, Airmen and international partners participated in the second annual Guardian Arena event that challenges participants in problem-solving, knowledge and physical strength to improve esprit de corps and promote the Guardian Ideal and Guardian Spirit. “The teams were a true reflection of our Space Force family,” Bentivegna” said. “With a mix of military and civilian Guardians, Airmen, and allied partners, the Guardian Arena teams embodied the Guardian Spirit of our mission – working together to achieve a common goal.” The winners: - 1st: Minutemen Missileers – Mission Delta 31 - 2nd: Radiation Nation – Space Delta 3 - 3rd: The Heisenbergs – Air Force Research Laboratory The 35 teams represented field commands, space base deltas, space launch deltas and other units to build the Space Force’s culture and heritage to pursue the Space Force mission. Bentivegna explained how the competition was extremely competitive with less than a seven-point difference between the first-place team and the fourth-place team – highlighting the competitive endurance of Guardians across a battery of challenges and tests. The Guardian Arena included four categories of challenges: academics, which focused on history and warfighting culture; iron strike challenges, which emphasized physical team competition; the round robin, which comprised seven stations with tactical problems; and physical challenges. The second annual Guardian Arena represents one of many platforms and opportunities honing Guardian bonds and culture for the Space Force. As the service continues to evolve, Guardian Arena reflects all Guardians' commitment to security in the space domain.