Space Force, the U.S. government’s outer-space military branch, took a victory lap this week.
On Thursday, members of the Air Force gaming team presented Space Force Chief Security Officer Jay Raymond and Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman with the winner’s trophy from the 2020 Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) Bowl.
The December 11 tourney was the second ever held, but the first for the Armed Forces’ newest branch.
The tournament was also the first to go transatlantic, pitting teams from Space Force, Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps against the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines.
The event raised over $900,000, more than double the inaugural 2019 event, with proceeds benefiting Call of Duty Endowment, a nonprofit that helps veterans and troops transitioning out of the service find employment.
A members of the Air Force gaming team presents Space Force Chief Security Officer Jay Raymond (center) and Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman with the winner’s trophy from the 2020 Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) Bowl
‘Space Force isn’t even a year old so this may have been their very first win in anything competitive against any of the other services,’ CODE Executive Director Dan Goldenberg said at the event, according to Business Insider. ‘So, it’s a heck of a great way to start off their history.’
Team Space Force took home the trophy in its first CODE Bowl appearance, beating out seven other teams from the United States and United Kingdom in a massive Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’ tournament.
In the final match, they took down a team of players from the Royal Air Force.
The Space Force team knocked out 200 teams from the Department of the Air Force back in November to earn its spot.
Teams from US Space Force, Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps were pitted against the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines. The event, which ended with Space Force defeating the Royal Air Force, raised over $900,000 to help veterans find jobs
Seven teams competed in a massive ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’ tournament in December
Team members Tech Sgts. Maurice Moyer and Josh Wilson and Senior Airmen Brandon Cheatham and Brayden Belford are all based at Space Operations Command outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, so they played in person together.
Given the pandemic, most other teams were remote.
Space Force team members like Tech Sgt Josh Wilson (left) and Senior Airmen Brayden Belford are all based at Space Operations Command outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, so they played in person together. Other teams were remote
CODE executive director Dan Goldenberg called the tournament a new take on inter-military competition, in the spirit of the great Army-Navy football games in the U.S. and the Babcock Trophy Army-Navy rugby matches in the U.K.
‘it feels terrific bringing this entertainment to the world for a great cause,’ Goldenberg said.
U.S. Space Force team member TSgt Joshua ‘JT Turbo’ Wilson called the experience of winning ‘surreal.’
‘I’ve been in the military for 12 years and never would’ve imagined I’d have the opportunity to represent my service on the world stage while partaking in one of my favorite hobbies, playing video games,’ Wilson said.
‘Not only did our team get to participate, but WON the competition, proving to the world that our service has talented esports competitors that are ready to take on any challenge.’
This year’s C.O.D.E. Bowl saw a big spike in participation, reflecting a real need for connection and joy during lockdown.
‘Gaming has been what allows us to stay connected [and] allowed us to get out of dark times,’ said U.S. Air Force’s Team Captain Capt Isaac ‘Icemanisaac’ Hamilton.
More than 80 percent of Airmen between the ages of 18-34 identify as gamers, playing between four to 10 hours per week.
More than 80 percent of Airmen between the ages of 18-34 identify as gamers, playing between four to 10 hours per week. Air Force Gaming is a network of more than 10,000 service members across various platforms
Air Force Gaming is a network of more than 10,000 service members on various platforms that ‘exists to bolster resiliency and foster a community of support, mental wellbeing, and inclusion for all interested Air Force and Space Force service members,’ said co-founder Capt. Oliver Parsons.