Military members compete in "Heb" Challenge

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 501st Combat Support Wing
RAF ALCONBURY --  How long do you think it would take to travel 700 kilometers by swimming, running, biking, and kayaking? Well a group of adventurers from RAFs Croughton, Alconbury and Mildenhall are about to find out.

First Lt. Serge Mettes, 501st Combat Support Wing, RAF Alconbury, First Lt. Peter Doyle, 422nd Air Base Group, RAF Croughton, Second Lt. Bethany Salinas, 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, and Captains Matt Allen and Jake Miller, 321st Special Tactics Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Group are competing in an adventure race called the Hebridean Challenge, nicknamed "the Heb" by those close to it.

The Hebridean Challenge is a five-day adventure race spanning the length of the Outer Hebrides, officially known by the Gaelic name, Na h-Eileanan Siar, a group of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland. The islands are long renowned for their rugged, desolate beauty and the fierce independence of the inhabitants, many of whom still speak Scottish Gaelic. They will navigate the islands' mountains, lochs, seas, and beaches starting June 30 on Barra, the southernmost island, and ending July 4 on the northernmost island, Lewis.

The racers have to pack everything needed for the race in one van with no outside assistance. Racers have space restrictions due to the small intra-island ferries.

"It will be pretty challenging fitting bikes, sea kayaks, camping gear, and 5 people into one vehicle for the race," said Jake Miller, the team leader, alluding to the fact that contestants camp out every night. The race is even more challenging logistically because team members split the race route amongst themselves to accomplish the biking, running, swimming, and kayaking components. So-called "off-duty" members have to load the van and drive it to the next meeting point on the isles. Each night, the teams sleep at a different site and each day different team members tackle different events.

This intense event will test the determination of the participants, but they are up for it because they are doing it for a good cause.

"We're running it for the challenge, to see if we can physically accomplish the event but we have and ulterior motive," Captain Miller said. "We're running the event as a fundraiser for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational funds to the children of fallen SOF Warriors, be they Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines"

As a member of the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Group, he recognizes the sacrifices the men and women in Special Operations make, especially those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

"Hopefully we can make a difference to the children of someone we've fought alongside with."

The group is accepting donations to the foundation at their website, www.firstgiving.com/aircommandos.

More information on the race can be found at www.hebrideanchallenge.com.