Wounded warriors compete in time trials

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Participants compete in the air rifle portion of the European Regional Warrior Games time trials Feb. 12 on Vogelweh. The time trials are a competition to see how warriors stack up against their fellow brothers-in-arms in competitive events.
Participants compete in the air rifle portion of the European Regional Warrior Games time trials Feb. 12 on Vogelweh. The time trials are a competition to see how warriors stack up against their fellow brothers-in-arms in competitive events.

The Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe hosted the European Regional Warrior Games time trials for wounded warriors across Europe Feb. 13 on Vogelweh.

The time trials are a competition to see how warriors stack up against their fellow brothers-in-arms in track and field and other competitive events.

“A big part of the Warrior Transition Battalion is adaptive sports, which is a part of our recovery process,” said Army Staff Sgt. Ollie Knowland, Warrior Transition Unit wounded warrior. “Every day, the unit does different things to help us recover, and this event is one of those efforts.”

Participants compete during the 1,500-meter run of the European Regional Warrior Games time trials Feb. 12 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.
Participants compete during the 1,500-meter run of the European Regional Warrior Games time trials Feb. 12 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.

Wounded warriors from Baumholder, Kaiserslautern, Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Vilseck and Grafenwöhr came out to compete in the events.

“Our events today include air rifle, the 1,500-meter run, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, shot put and discus,” said Dr. Linda A. Steil, Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe adaptive reconditioning site coordinator for the military adaptive sports program. “We also have a 30-kilometer bike time trial and a 20-kilometer recumbent bike time trial on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.”

Whether the contestants make it to the Warrior Games or not, the Warrior Transition Battalion is dedicated to helping service members along in the recovery process.

The Warrior Transition Battalion hosts the European Regional Warrior Games time trials for wounded warriors Feb. 12 on Vogelweh.
The Warrior Transition Battalion hosts the European Regional Warrior Games time trials for wounded warriors Feb. 12 on Vogelweh.

“Our ultimate goal is to return these service members to active duty,” Steil said. “If not, we want to return them to a new normal so they can function well in society and progress. There’s a satisfaction that comes with being able to watch a person return to functioning normally.”

The Marine Corps will be hosting the Wounded Warrior Games in Quantico, Virginia, starting in mid-June.