Air Force lifts the cup

Air Force won the ADF Functional Fitness Association Triservice Competition in Brisbane, trailing Army for most of the week before taking the last two events of a winner-takes-all final.

About 70 competitors from the three services competed at CrossFit Torian. For the first time, Air Force fielded three teams of seven.

“Despite the competition between the three services, there was a genuine sense of camaraderie throughout the event. Everyone supported one another, regardless of which uniform they wore,” Air Force team manager SQNLDR Anthea Chandler said.

That help ranged from airport pick-ups to cheering the opposition on during nail-biting sessions.

SQNLDR Chandler, Chief Instructor at RAAF Security and Fire School, was a personal trainer and CrossFit coach before she joined Air Force in 2016.

“Our focus was on encouraging participation, regardless of experience or ability. We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to represent Air Force and be part of the team,” she said.

“We had members travel from across Australia, many at their own expense, to represent Air Force. For some, it was their first experience competing in CrossFit, but their willingness to step outside their comfort zone and contribute to the team was what stood out.

“CrossFit is accessible to people of all fitness levels and experience. It’s about challenging yourself, building confidence and being part of a community that encourages everyone to improve.”

Sportsmanship remained a defining feature of the competition.

During the final event, competitors from Navy, Army and Air Force came together to encourage one another through the closing stages, demonstrating the camaraderie and mutual respect that extended well beyond their individual teams.

“For me, that moment really captured what the competition was about. Despite the rivalry, everyone came together to support someone giving their absolute best,” SQNLDR Chandler said.

Air Force CrossFit Association President FLTLT Jordi Estivill-Dredge is an engineer at Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group, RAAF Base Williamtown. He admitted he was nervous during his first class back in 2017.

“There were people doing muscle-ups and weightlifting, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t know if I can do any of this’,” he said.

He kept going back for the coaching, the variety and the steady challenge.

“You get a random workout and often it is new and you have to dig deep,” FLTLT Estivill-Dredge said.

“If you can take on any workout, you should be able to take on whatever life throws at you.”

For aviators who aren’t sure if the sport is for them, he pointed to the base gym.

“If you’ve done a PTI session at your base gym, you’ve probably already done it (CrossFit exercises). It’s just whether you’ve labelled it that or not,” FLTLT Estivill-Dredge said.

Every workout can be scaled to suit your fitness level or an injury. He said functional fitness was a good way back to individual readiness for anyone working towards their PFT.

The association now reimburses entry fees for members who represent Air Force at events near where they are posted.

An ADF skills and technique camp runs in December, and the worldwide CrossFit Open follows in February and March 2027.

To get involved, email RAAFCFA.Committee@defence.gov.au