Rising to the Challenge: 142nd Wing Airman takes Second Place in 2026 Oregon Best Warrior Competition

Oregon Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Steven Higdon, assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing, fires his weapon downrange and is graded by Range Cadre, as part of the 240B/320 Weapons firing range event during the Oregon National Guard’s 2026 Best Warrior Competition, held at the Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center near Warrenton, Oregon, on March 20. A total of 22 competitors began the three-day event, which took place from March 19-21, 2026, and included various challenges. The competitors' physical fitness, land navigation skills, marksmanship, and ability to handle other battlefield scenarios were tested. These challenges included a physical fitness test, review boards, rifle qualification, a 3-gun competition, an obstacle course, and a 12-mile ruck march. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)