ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The ultimate test of readiness and resilience has a new name. This year, the U.S. Space Force is launching the Guardian Arena Qualifiers (formerly known as regionals). Running from Aug. 3 through Aug. 21, the qualifiers will bring together Guardians, Airmen and civilian partners to test their capabilities, build camaraderie and cultivate a combat-ready mindset.
The objective remains clear: identify the most adaptable and mission-focused personnel across the force. The top performers from these qualifiers will secure a spot as one of the teams advancing to the Guardian Arena IV championship this December at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.
Last year’s Guardian Arena brought together 35 three-person teams, totaling 105 competitors. This year, the Guardian Arena planning team wants that number to increase.
“Maximizing participation is a primary objective this year,” said 1st Lt. Annaleigh Jeffcoat, 16th EWS Combat Training Element mission planner and officer in charge for Guardian Arena IV. “My target is to see at least one competitor from every single Unit of Action across the Space Force. We strongly encourage a mix of both uniformed members and civilian personnel. We want GA to showcase the full caliber of our Total Force, and our civilian counterparts are a vital part of that.”
Last year’s [2025 Guardian Arena] competition saw a 60% increase in participation from the 2024 event.
Jeffcoat and her team are planning all the details and will provide units with the exact blueprint needed for success. Assigned Units of Action will be responsible for hosting local Guardian Arena qualifiers, with physical and tactical events provided by the Guardian Arena planning team. Units will be given a three-week window to execute the qualifiers.
“[Conducting the qualifier competitions] our vision is for all Units of Action to run qualifiers as a standard PT session,” Jeffcoat said. “We’ve handled the planning and prep for you – we just need unit leaders to champion it and conduct it with maximum participation.”
In the past, regionals consisted of three physical and three tactical events.
“The workouts are created and selected to serve a few purposes, and this is one of my main jobs as a strength and conditioning coach for this event – selecting quality physical tasks that achieve these goals,” said Adam Whisler, Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Guardian Resilience Team (GRT) strength and conditioning specialist.
Whisler, who has been a lead planner for Guardian Arena the past three years, said the qualifier workouts should:
Maximize participation for all members across the USSF, so they must be simple, effective movement patterns and only require basic fitness equipment.
Create a score chart that provides every competitor with the chance to push themselves to their limits.
Craft events that test multiple fitness characteristics which reflect the types of exercises that will be part of the main event in December.
Every challenge completed during the qualifier window builds a legacy.
"One of the things I appreciate most about Guardian Arena is that it brings together teams of Guardians who are willing to test themselves,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna. “That's the kind of mindset we need across the force. Not because there's a trophy at the end, but because growth happens when you're challenged. Competition has a way of exposing strengths, revealing gaps and making all of us better. If you've been thinking about trying out, I encourage you to take the chance. Whether you make it to the final round or not, there's value in putting yourself out there and taking on the challenge. I hope Guardians from across the force will raise their hand and give it a shot."
It is encouraged that all personnel participate, support their local units and cheer on the competitors. Guardians, Airmen and civilians interested in securing their spot in the arena must contact their local command team to register before the Aug. 3 kickoff.
“It is critical that Guardians engage in demanding mental and physical challenges like Guardian Arena,” Jeffcoat said. “This type of event showcases that we remain ready for both the current and future fight.”