Naval Health Clinic New England (NHCNE), Naval Station Newport, held its annual Corpsman Challenge, June 5, at the R.I. National Guard Camp Fogarty Training Area.

One team from each NHCNE medical site (Newport, R.I.; Groton, Conn.; Portsmouth, N.H.; and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) arrived bright and early for the competition.

Each team consisted of four Corpsman and a Team Leader who was not allowed to assist in any of the manual tasks assigned but could provide verbal direction.

"The Corpsman Challenge has become an annual team building exercise that began around 2009 here and has continued to be held annually just prior to the Corpsman Birthday," said event organizer Hospitalman 1st Class Nettie Gordon.

The location for the annual event rotates through the respective sites and this year's course was extremely challenging with the "9 challenges" taking place over the 3.5 mile R.I. National Guard Obstacle Course.

"There is no way Newport can't have a little bit of an advantage having gone through this course, but that's ok, we'll see what happens," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ryan Coulombe, Team Leader for the Groton Minions.

All of the teams were in good spirits at the start of the event and there was much good natured banter being exchanged, especially by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Mohannad Sherif, member of the BAMF (Best American Medical Facility) team from Portsmouth, N.H.

Sherif, easily the largest Corpsman on the field of challenge, was quick to point out that Portsmouth was a force to be reckoned with. "We came here with the trophy in our van and we intend to leave here with it again," he said, referring to their being last year's winner of this event.

The event began with a briefing outlaying a scenario where a 6-man squad had departed the area of operations on a routine patrol. Each Corpsman Team was tasked with heading out to locate them after a prolonged lapse in communication.

Safety briefings were given, communications instructions relayed and a verbal health assessment was done.

The first team to start was the Groton Minions; followed by Portsmouth BAMF; NHCNE Warriors and team Saratoga Springs.

The terrain was tough, complete with water hazards still standing from rain earlier in the week. There were rocky hills and man-made obstacles that included stretcher carry's over an 8-foot wall, under a log barrier, over a rope tangle and another waist level log barrier.

Members started out jogging the course carrying the litter folded in a back sling, a mock-M16 rifle, the standard 30-pound medic bag and additional water for the team.

Stopping stations were monitored and timed in combat type medical situations. Besides being efficient for timing purposes, the corpsman personnel also had to perform the tasks with accuracy and answer questions regarding techniques and methods used in performing a skill.

The stations included Mass Casualty, Starting IVs, Splinting, Weapons Knowledge, Litter Course and a 9 Line Medevac scenario.

This intense training helps prepare Hospital Corpsmen for deployment when they are rendering medical care under less than ideal conditions.

The four teams that had the honor of representing their specific clinic had previous try-outs to determine who would go to the final Corpsman Challenge. The competition was tough and all of the teams selected deserved to be there.

The NHCNE Newport "Warriors" walked away victorious with a time of 1 hour and 34 minutes. Bravo Zulu to the Warriors and all of the other NHCNE competitors.

For more news from Naval Station Newport, visit www.navy.mil/.