Air Force Reservist Leads Joint Team During NATO Pentathlon in Romania

An Air Force Reservist helped lead a joint three-member U.S. military team to a third-place finish in the novice division at the 2026 International Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition in Bucharest, Romania.

Air Force Lt. Col. Lance Speed was part of an elite contingent of 18 American reserve service members representing the Air Force Reserve Command and Army Reserve Command, who competed against 37 teams of 119 competitors from 14 NATO member states.

The military pentathlon tested participants across five demanding combat disciplines: combat marksmanship, a land obstacle course, a water obstacle course, utility hand grenade throwing accuracy and a military orientation march. 

To prepare for the high-intensity event, Speed completed a 15-day overseas mission that began with a week of intensive interoperability training alongside Greek partners at the Hellenic Army Academy in Athens, Greece. The team then traveled to Romania for two days of weapons familiarization on foreign defense platforms, including live-fire training with the AK-47 rifle and the TT-30 pistol.

Speed, who is assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing, said his background as an air advisor gave him a strong appreciation for building relationships with international partners. He was drawn to the event’s professional development and unique allied environment.

“I was interested in the opportunity to challenge myself, develop professionally and learn alongside competitors from other organizations and nations,” Speed said. “This competition is a great chance to strengthen those connections, exchange perspectives and learn from our partners.”

Competing on a joint team alongside one fellow Air Force Reservist and one Army Reservist, Speed’s team showcased outstanding tactical capability by placing in the top four in five of the competition’s seven scored categories. The joint team ultimately secured the highest novice team shooting score, the highest novice precision hand grenade score and logged the third-fastest water obstacle course transit time in their division. His standout achievements earned high praise back home from his leaders at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

“Lance is a great representative of the quality of people we have in our squadron,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Hurley, Speed’s squadron commander. “His professionalism and discipline are evident in both his commitment to physical fitness and his day-to-day work. His results in Romania come as no surprise to those of us who work with him, and I am proud of how he represented the wing.”

Speed said the team’s joint nature was one of the most rewarding aspects of the mission.

“I really enjoyed working with our Air Force and Army Reserve counterparts and learning from the broad range of civilian and military backgrounds represented on the team,” he said. “It was great to step outside the environment at [Eglin's] Duke Field and share the experience with teammates from across the joint force. Just as relationships with our international partners contribute to success, connections and mutual understanding within the joint environment [are] invaluable.”

Ultimately, representing the citizen air commandos of the 919th Special Operations Wing and the nation on an international stage was a responsibility Speed did not take lightly.

“It is a meaningful responsibility and such a privilege,” he said. “I am mindful that many people from the 919th Special Operations Wing have represented the organization before me and helped establish its strong reputation. I see it as an opportunity to represent the professionalism, preparation and commitment of the people and organizations I work with. It is also an opportunity to represent Team USA in a positive way, building friendships with our international partners and connecting on a personal level outside of an operational environment.”