WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Air Force Lt. Col. Lance Speed helped a joint U.S. team finish third in the novice division of a NATO military competition.
- The 18 American reserve members competed against 37 teams and 119 competitors from 14 NATO member states.
- Speed’s team earned the highest novice shooting and precision hand grenade scores.
- The joint team also recorded the third fastest water obstacle course time in its division.
An Air Force Reservist helped guide a joint three member U.S. military team to a third place finish in the novice division at the 2026 International Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition in Bucharest, Romania.
Air Force Lt. Col. Lance Speed joined an elite contingent of 18 American reserve service members representing Air Force Reserve Command and Army Reserve Command.
The Americans competed against 37 teams comprising 119 competitors from 14 NATO member states.
The military pentathlon put participants through five demanding combat disciplines.
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Those events included combat marksmanship, a land obstacle course, a water obstacle course, utility hand grenade throwing accuracy and a military orientation march.
Speed completed a 15 day overseas mission to prepare for the intense competition. The mission began with one week of interoperability training alongside Greek partners at the Hellenic Army Academy in Athens, Greece.
The team then traveled to Romania, where members spent two days becoming familiar with foreign defense platforms.
Image Credit: DoW
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That preparation included live fire training with the AK-47 rifle and the TT-30 pistol before competitors entered the demanding multinational contest.
Speed is assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing. His experience as an air advisor gave him a strong appreciation for building relationships with international partners, while the event offered professional development in a distinct allied environment.
“I was interested in the opportunity to challenge myself, develop professionally and learn alongside competitors from other organizations and nations,” Speed said.
“This competition is a great chance to strengthen those connections, exchange perspectives and learn from our partners.”
Speed competed with one fellow Air Force Reservist and one Army Reservist. The joint team delivered a strong tactical performance, finishing among the top four in five of the competition’s seven scored categories.
The team recorded the highest novice team shooting score and the highest novice precision hand grenade score. It also posted the third fastest water obstacle course transit time in its division, helping secure the overall third place finish.
Speed’s performance earned praise from his leaders at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Hurley, Speed’s squadron commander, pointed to the professionalism and discipline behind the results.
Image Credit: DoW
“Lance is a great representative of the quality of people we have in our squadron,” Hurley said.
“His professionalism and discipline are evident in both his commitment to physical fitness and his day-to-day work. His results in Romania come as no surprise to those of us who work with him, and I am proud of how he represented the wing.”
For Speed, the joint makeup of the team proved to be one of the mission’s most rewarding features. It brought together Air Force and Army Reserve personnel with a broad range of civilian and military experience.
“I really enjoyed working with our Air Force and Army Reserve counterparts and learning from the broad range of civilian and military backgrounds represented on the team,” he said.
“It was great to step outside the environment at [Eglin’s] Duke Field and share the experience with teammates from across the joint force. Just as relationships with our international partners contribute to success, connections and mutual understanding within the joint environment [are] invaluable.”
Image Credit: DoW
Speed also viewed his role as a representative of the citizen air commandos of the 919th Special Operations Wing and the United States as a serious responsibility.
He recognized those who previously represented the organization and helped establish its reputation.
“It is a meaningful responsibility and such a privilege,” he said.
“I am mindful that many people from the 919th Special Operations Wing have represented the organization before me and helped establish its strong reputation. I see it as an opportunity to represent the professionalism, preparation and commitment of the people and organizations I work with. It is also an opportunity to represent Team USA in a positive way, building friendships with our international partners and connecting on a personal level outside of an operational environment.”
The Department of War provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure the nation’s security.
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