KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron (U.S. Air Force Pararescue School) hosted the Drug Enforcement Agency’s 13th Annual Maltz Challenge March 15, 2019, here.
The Maltz Challenge honors U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Maltz, a Pararescueman who was killed in action in 2003 in Afghanistan while responding to a combat-rescue call. Originally, the Maltz Challenge was organized to support Maltz’s family after his death, but has since evolved into a national event where people across the nation do the same workout in honor of the fallen hero.
This year, in addition to honoring Maltz, the 351st SWTS honored U.S. Air Force Capt. Mark Weber, a combat rescue officer who was killed in action March 15, 2018, exactly one year prior to this year’s event. Weber died in western Iraq, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
“Capt. Mark Weber did this challenge with us three years ago,” said Master Sgt. Aaron Love, 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron operations superintendent. “He had zero ego and was the most humble guy that you could find on the face of the planet. He was always looking out for the guys and was always doing everything that he possibly could for this career field. He is sorely missed.”
Weber also greatly impacted those he knew outside the Pararescue career field. Attending this year’s challenge was his personal friend Camille Martinez, who had been friends with Weber for three years prior to his death.
“Mark was incredible,” said Martinez. “He was probably one of the closest friends that I had, or ever will have. He loved God and showed me that with all his heart.”
According to Martinez, Weber would be the kind of guy to motivate those attending the challenge and remind them of the importance of being a PJ.
“He would probably impart to them how serious the mission is and how much of a servant’s heart you have to have to do a job of a Pararescueman,” said Martinez.
The muscle behind the “servant’s heart” within the Pararescue trainees is Becky Freeman, strength coach for the 351st SWTS, who was attending the Maltz Challenge for the first time.
“This is great,” said Freeman. “It’s nice to be a part of something that honors other people.”
The Maltz Challenge is a timed, team competition that consists of a 400-meter run, 50 pull-ups, 100-yard fireman’s carry, 50 dips, 100 push-ups, 50 knees-to-elbows, 100 sit-ups and another 400-meter run.
According to Freeman, the winning team finished the challenge with an overall time of 20:16.
For information for next year’s Maltz Challenge, visit https://deamaltzchallenge.com/.