Pentathletes Power Up Partnership

F.P. Report

WASHINGTON: A group of Florida National Guardsmen had the opportunity to serve as Team USA in a military pentathlon hosted by the Kuwaiti land forces — representing the Army in the five-day event in and around Kuwait City.

The competition consisted of rifle marksmanship, a 4K run, grenade throwing, and individual and relay obstacle courses. The Florida guardsmen, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, were the only non-Kuwaiti team competing.

“It was amazing that the Kuwaitis were nice enough to invite us to compete with them,” Spc. Austin Ondrek, an indirect fire infantryman assigned to the battalion, said. “The language barrier was a challenge at times, but it was cool working with them, and they were really happy to have us here.”

The U.S. soldiers had about 45 days to prepare on top of their regular duties. The battalion is deployed to the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility as Task Force Hurricane, supporting operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve.

Of the 10 teams competing, the U.S. soldiers finished fifth overall.

“I think the whole team performed amazingly,” Ondrek said. “It was a tough competition and given