S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Space Force Spc. 4 Donovan Reynolds, U.S. Space Forces - Space laser deconfliction technician, executes a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Space Force Master Sgt. Vincent Spahr, U.S. Space Forces—Space and Space Delta 5 First Sergeant, left, monitors Gladiators during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Descriptions and regulations of challenges lay out the requirements for each event at a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Gladiators use their phones for a cognitive challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Gladiators and graders listen in to Emily Webster, Guardian Resiliency Team strength and conditioning specialist, middle, for instructions on a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Nate Winters, U.S. Space Forces—Space current operations chief, right, lifts a dumbbell over his head during a physical challenge of a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. In addition to Guardians, all Joint members, government civilians and foreign officers assigned to USSF units may compete in the games. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Graders examine as Gladiators execute a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Space Force Spc. 4 Donovan Reynolds, U.S. Space Forces - Space laser deconfliction technician, executes a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Space Force Capt. Brian Waschak, Space Delta 5 intelligence assessments division chief, left, and Tech. Sgt. Mathew Jaurique, DEL 5 special technical operations planner, perform a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Gladiators execute a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Space Force Capt. Cynthia Burket, U.S. Space Forces—Space Fires Division plans branch chief, executes a physical challenge during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

U.S. Space Force Maj. Jordan Cruz, U.S. Space Forces—Space capabilities and integration deputy division chief, performs a shuttle run during a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. From shuttle runs and overhead presses to problem-solving, competitors faced six events testing physical endurance and mental agility. The top performers will earn their spot at the third annual Guardian Arena competition, Dec. 8–9 at Patrick SFB, Fla., going head-to-head with 35 of the best teams in the Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Gladiators, graders and volunteers stand together for a group photo after completing a Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025. A total of 10 competitors, five from U.S. Space Forces—Space and five from Space Delta 5, finished the six-part event to identify the top-performers who will have a chance to represent their units in the GA III finals Dec. 8-9, 2025, at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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S4S ‘Gladiators’ compete in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifiers

Published Aug. 12, 2025
By Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman
U.S. Space Forces – Space Public Affairs

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif., -- Sixteen military members, five from headquarters U.S. Space Forces—Space (S4S), five from Space Delta 5 and six from Space Delta 15, competed in Guardian Arena III Regional Qualifier events on Vandenberg SFB, Calif., and Schriever SFB, Colo., between July 30 and Aug. 8, 2025.

Guardian Arena is designed to forge the Space Force legacy by challenging participants to demonstrate mental agility, physical grit, and operational excellence—hallmarks of the Guardian ethos.

The six-part event, comprised of three physical and three tactical-cognitive challenges, tested each ‘Gladiator’ individually to identify the top-performing competitors who will represent their units in the GA III finals Dec. 8-9, 2025, at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.

Despite the title, Guardian Arena is not only just for Guardians. All Joint members, government civilians and foreign officers assigned to USSF units may compete in the games.

This inclusive approach strengthens interoperability and fosters shared expertise across the Joint and international space community, reinforcing the Space Force’s commitment to global partnerships.

The top three individuals from each of the regional qualifiers will join forces and compete as one team representing their unit during the finals. Regional Qualifier events nationwide will close out Aug. 15., after which induvial scores will be compared with all regions to determine who moves on. A total of 35 teams will go head-to-head in the finals.

The competition showcases the Space Force’s role as the only military service solely dedicated to space, ensuring the defense of this vital domain and preserving enduring peace. Guardian Arena is more than a contest—it’s a demonstration of innovation, teamwork, and the unwavering commitment to securing our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space.

Good luck to our S4S, DEL 5 and DEL 15 Gladiators on the chance to earn a trip to the finals!

U.S. Space Forces – Space Regional Gladiators
U.S. Space Force Spc. 4 Donovan Reynolds
U.S. Space Force Capt. Cynthia Burket
U.S. Space Force Capt. Patrick Maloney
U.S. Space Force Maj. Jordan Cruz
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Nate Winters

Space Delta 5 Regional Gladiators
U.S. Space Force Spc. 2 Luis Medina
U.S. Space Force Tech. Sgt. Mathew Jaurique
U.S. Space Force Capt. Quinton Vandenberghe
U.S. Space Force Capt. Brian Waschak
U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Edward Ramirez

Space Delta 15 Regional Gladiators
U.S. Space Force Spc. 3 Jesse Coppedge
U.S. Space Force Spc. 4 William MacLaughlin
U.S. Space Force Sgt. Christopher Thomas
U.S. Space Force Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Shuck
U.S. Space Force Tech. Sgt. Timothy McEachron
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Catarino Romero

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