101st Airborne Division honors Army’s 250th with combatives, stress shoots and more | VIDEO

FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 101st Airborne Division Week of the Eagles is in full swing from June 9-14, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday with a many events, from tactical demonstrations to sports tournaments. Among the week’s events were the combatives tournament, stress shoot and boxing, all showcasing the strength of soldiers across the division.

Soldiers filled the gym to compete and support fighters during the combatives tournament. Each match lasted 10 minutes, and fighters aimed to win by submission or knockout. If there was no clear winner by the end, judges stepped in to decide the match based on overall performance, including control, striking, and takedowns.

Many of the competitors and coaches brought years of experience to the mat, including Sgt. Wellington Godoi, head coach of the Fort Campbell Combatives Team, and fighter Jefferson Da Silva. “I was born in Brazil, so there it’s either soccer or jiu-jitsu. I chose the martial arts route,” Godoi said. Today, he runs a program on post where soldiers and dependents of all ages can train in both striking and grappling.

Da Silva, who has trained in martial arts for 16 years, said joining the team was a way to stay prepared and pass on valuable skills. “I know how important it is for a soldier to keep in shape and know some martial arts in case they need it in a battle,” he said.

In addition to combatives, the stress shoot event pushed soldiers through a timed obstacle course designed to mimic combat conditions. The course began with short sprints, followed by a rope climb, and included stair runs, target shooting, sled pulls and wall climbs. Soldiers had to hit targets from different positions and platforms while wearing full gear and carrying their weapon. Missed shots added time penalties, increasing the pressure.

“It all translates to what we do in the wood line and how we fight in combat,” said 1st Sgt. James Heald. “It’s a lot harder than shooting on a range. You’ve got 40-45 pounds of armor on you, and you’re running with your weapon.” The competition not only tested shooting accuracy but also endurance.

The week also included a competitive boxing tournament with more than 40 fighters from across Fort Campbell. Matches were divided by weight class and spread over a few days, with 17 fights on the first day, 10 on the second, and championship rounds planned for the final day. Fighters competed for individual titles as well as points toward their brigade’s overall score. These scores, along with points earned from other events like combatives, stress shoot, and other various competitions, will be added together to determine the overall winner of the Commander’s Cup. The cup is awarded to the brigade with the highest combined score at the end of Week of the Eagles events.

As Week of the Eagles continues, the celebration will wrap up on Saturday, June 14, with a tactical Air Assault demonstration, a U.S. Army birthday ceremony, a mass Oath of Enlistment, and a free concert from Andy Ross, sponsored by U.S. Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

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