The Challenge

American Heroes Challenge is committed to truly testing not only an operator's physical ability and tactical aptitude, but also the ability to adapt as the mission evolves. To maintain this spirit, the specifics of each event will not be disclosed until the on-site stage briefing.

Each of the six stages are named in honor of a fallen hero.

• Stage One: U.S. Marine First Lt. Shane Childers - Practical Shooting Skills Event

Pistol and carbine live fire skills course incorporating shooting responses, combative manipulations, shooting positions, reactive movement, extended range engagement, shooting-on-the-move and transition drills.

Marine First Lt. Childers was the first reported casualty of the Operation Iraqi Freedom. Childers, a native of Harrison County, MS. was killed while leading a platoon to capture the Ramalla oil fields in Iraq.

• Stage Two: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham - Combat Search and Rescue

Tactical rescue, treatment and evacuation of a downed-subject in an austere outdoor environment. Using team tactics observation skills and physical endurance, competitors must successfully navigate hazardous terrain in the shortest amount of time under live fire conditions.

Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham was a pararescueman who was killed in action on March 4, 2002 while taking part in Operation Anaconda during the US war in Afghanistan.

• Stage Three: U.S. Navy PO2 Shane E. Patton Live Fire Obstacle Course

Live fire obstacle course emphasizing fitness while fatigued, functional strength, peak tactical performance under stress and skill-at-arms with various weapon systems.

The son of a retired Navy SEAL, PO2 Patton was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One. Originally from Boulder City, NV, Patton died on June 28, 2005 while conducting combat operations in Asadabad, Afghanistan.

• Stage Four: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Kerry W. Frith Low Light Tactics and Problem Solving

Low-light tactical, problem solving scenarios resolved by employing flashlight techniques, movement skills, communications, barricade tactics, engagement of multiple targets and proper decisional shooting.

A native of Las Vegas, NV, Staff Sergeant Frith was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Frith as killed in a helicopter crash during an anti-terrorism training exercise on February 22, 2002.

• Stage 5: U.S. Navy PO Michael A. Monsoor - Rapid Deployment/Hostage Rescue Mission

Rapid deployment mission undertaken in a large structure to stop a crisis in-progress. Competitors must assess, enter and dominate the structure utilizing force-on-force training systems and tactical response procedures.

PO Monsoor selflessly gave his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom to save the lives of two teammates. Monsoor's actions in combat earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

• Stage 6: U.S. Army Cpl. Matthew A. Commons Live Fire Scenarios

PRISim system Scenarios resolved by engaging in high-intensity use of force encounters requiring tactical thinking, split-second judgment, subject command and control, accuracy and stress management.

Cpl. Commons, a Boulder City, NV native, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Commons was killed in combat trying to save a downed SEAL during Operation Anaconda in Gardez, Afghanistan.

Each team will be competing for prizes awarded to the top three teams, top three solo event finishers, as well as an award for the Iron Man and Top Gun categories.