The Space Force held its third annual Guardian Arena at Kennedy Space Center and Patrick Space Force Base, combining intense physical trials with tactical and academic challenges. The opening event, Guardian Strike, had teams run five laps and tackle obstacles such as a 200-pound "sand worm." More than 100 competitors—Guardians, other service members, civilians and one Australian—took part. Organizers emphasized human performance, cognitive teamwork and problem-solving as central goals.
Guardian Arena III: Space Force Puts Fitness, Teamwork and Brains to the Test on Florida’s Space Coast
A hot, breathless sprint around a sunlit track ended with three camouflaged runners collapsing into mixed relief and laughter at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Their shirts were drenched, faces flushed and muscles taut as they crossed the finish while still gripping a rope — a rule that forbade release until the final burst to the line. Moments later the rope was discarded and the exhaustion set in.
The trio had just completed the opening physical trial of Guardian Arena III, finishing the course in under 18 minutes. The two-day competition, staged after an initial exam at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, awarded trophies and bragging rights to top teams drawn from more than 100 competitors representing the Space Force and other services.
Guardian Strike: A Grueling Opening
The introductory challenge, called Guardian Strike, required teams to run five laps and move through an obstacle sequence on each circuit. One punishing element — the "sand worm" — was a 200-pound, 10-foot tube made from three sandbags sewn together that teams had to lift from the ground and hoist onto their shoulders 10 times. Amid shouts, high-fives and grimaces, 35 three-person teams completed the trial.
More Than Physical Fitness
Organizers deliberately blended physical and cognitive challenges. Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna emphasized the goal: "What do we value as a service? What do we value as Guardians? It’s critical thinking, cognitive teamwork. Physical fitness is one aspect of it, but we really like to focus on human performance."
That approach showed up in tasks such as assembling a mobile satellite communications terminal and acquiring a signal—after carrying all the heavy components into place. The events tested problem solving, teamwork, quick decision-making and endurance as much as raw strength.
Scale, Diversity And Leadership
One hundred and five competitors participated—roughly 1% of the uniformed Space Force after it surpassed 10,000 members. The field included Guardians alongside Air Force and Navy personnel, civilians and one international entrant from Australia. Competitors included 54 officers, 44 enlisted members and eight civilians, ranging in age from 21 to 49.
Notable leaders on hand included Col. Brian Chatman, commander of Space Launch Delta 45, who cheered the Launch Legends team; Brig. Gen. Nick Hague, recently promoted and serving as Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations; and Adam Whisler, a civilian coach and former Army enlisted member who organized much of the physical program.
Day Two: The Long Haul
Day two raised the stakes: 14 stations across Patrick SFB combined physical and tactical problems that teams needed to complete in under eight hours. If teams visited every station, they would cover about 13.1 miles—the equivalent of a half marathon. Major Alyson Gleason, the event lead and a newly minted Ph.D. in kinesiology, described the obstacles as comprehensive and relentlessly demanding: sandbags, bench presses, kettlebells, jump boxes, rowing and biking among them.
"We get to showcase the fact that we have some incredible athletes who are also very, very smart," Gleason said. "Most of these men and women work out of windowless rooms, working on consoles, analyzing data, quick decision times, hard problem sets. So it’s a different type of thing that we’re looking for."
Competitors And Culture
Captain Alex Colla, a past Guardian Arena winner who helped plan the 2024 event and returned to compete, said the mental hurdles are often the trickiest. "When it comes to trying to solve problems, words definitely matter," he said. "It’s really paying attention to the rules at each station to see, 'It doesn’t specifically say that, so I’m gonna try it,' and if I get called on it, I get called on it."
Three-time competitor Lt. Col. Colin McSorley said the contest is as much about connection and mentorship as it is about podiums. "One of the great things about being a part of this competition is connecting with all the other Guardians, seeing where they’re at, seeing the younger Guardians, and how they’re developing," he said.
Looking Ahead
Born as a rapid, three-month pilot and refined over two subsequent eight-month planning cycles, Guardian Arena has quickly become a showcase for the Space Force’s emphasis on human performance, cognitive teamwork and operational readiness. Organizers say the competition highlights that Guardians are not just technicians behind consoles but versatile operators who combine athleticism with critical thinking under pressure.
