EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Bracing the largest storm of the season, more than 50 Airmen with the 95th Security Forces Squadron and visitors conquered Edwards' west front as they walked, ran, marched and trekked more than 9 miles from the West Gate over Red Hill Feb. 16. 

While some wore battle dress uniforms, others donned their flak vests with metal plates, M-4 rifle, helmets and gas masks to brave the 2nd Joyner Invitational's challenge of racing to the top. 

Participants also included Airmen from other organizations and one Marine. The first to reach the top of the hill was Master Sgt. Teddy Greevebiester, 95th SFS delta flight chief, with a time of one hour and 43 minutes. 

"The Joyner Invitational is about motivation and building morale and esprit-de-corps," said Lt. Col. Steven Heffington, 95th SFS commander. "However, it is also about training and preparing security forces troops for some of the more harsh realities of the deployed environment. We have folks doing dismounted, extended combat patrols as dedicated security forces units and as joint elements with the Army and the Marines and doing it with 45 to 65 pounds of combat gear. Events like the Joyner Invitational are fun ways to prepare for that kind of mission." 

Joyner Invitational began in December when Airman 1st Class Christian Joyner, 95th SFS patrolman, challenged "older" security forces.

"I called him on his bluff and we set up the challenge to see how we'd do," Sergeant Greevebiester said. 

As the first person to reach the top, he said he prepared rigorously for this event. 

"I trained for it," he said. "I spent some time running with my gear." 

He said the event was successful as all the participants completed the challenge. 

"This was a great test of our internal fortitude," he said. "Each individual has the opportunity to see what they're made of and test their personal abilities." 

During the first invitational, the 95th SFS hosted a challenge called "Rock March," where Airmen carry a rucksack with all of their alert gear for 12 miles from the West Gate to the 95th SFS headquarters. 

Colonel Heffington said he is proud of Sergeant Greevebiester and Airman Joyner for having the motivation and enthusiasm to put this all together. 

"I believe this type of team building, motivational and training events are crucial to the overall happiness and mission success of an organization, especially an organization such as the 95th SFS," he said.