Two soldiers connected to the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, headquartered at the Fairfield Armory, recently earned top honors at both the Iowa Best Warrior Competition and the Region IV Best Warrior Competition, according to the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Staff Sergeant Logan Pasker of New Vienna, a small arms and towed artillery repairer (91F) from Company Bravo, 1347th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, and Specialist Tom Hook of De Soto, a religious affairs specialist (56M) from the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, brought home state and regional titles, bringing statewide and regional recognition to the 185th CSSB.
At the state-level competition held at Camp Dodge in Johnston on September 14th, 2025, Pasker and Hook earned the state team title. Hook was also named Iowa National Guard Soldier of the Year, while Pasker was recognized as Iowa National Guard NCO of the Year, earning both soldiers the opportunity to represent Iowa at the regional competition. The runners-up were Specialist Cole Fischer of the 2168th Transportation Company and Sergeant Alexander Roney of the 209th Medical Company Area Support. The event also welcomed two soldiers and one sponsor from Iowa’s state partners in Kosovo.
The regional competition took place at Fort Custer Training Center in Battle Creek, Michigan from April 29th through May 3rd, 2026. The Best Warrior Competition is designed to identify the top Non-Commissioned Officers and junior enlisted service members through events testing marksmanship, land navigation, physical fitness, ruck marching, obstacle courses, and board interviews under demanding conditions.
Representing the Iowa National Guard, Pasker competed against top NCOs from across the seven-state region and claimed the title of Region IV NCO of the Year. The Iowa National Guard also won an additional state team competition held as part of the event, with Pasker and Hook combining for the victory once again.
Other top finishers at the regional competition included Region IV Soldier of the Year Specialist Caleb Chambers of the Indiana National Guard, with Specialist Charlez Hatt of the Michigan National Guard finishing runner-up in that category. Sergeant Brendan Barlett of the Indiana National Guard finished runner-up in the NCO division behind Pasker. The Grit Award went to Specialist Thomas Ogdahl of the Minnesota National Guard, and the Region IV Cup was awarded to the Indiana National Guard.
The Best Warrior Competition tests soldiers in leadership, physical fitness, tactical skills, and decision-making under pressure — qualities that also translate into civilian careers and community service.
Hook’s unit, the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, recently established its headquarters at the Fairfield Armory under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kiel Archer and Command Sergeant Major David J. Gossard. The 185th is a logistics and support unit whose mission is to conduct training that prepares soldiers to support the state and defend the nation, ensuring military units have the supplies, equipment, and services necessary to accomplish their missions — whether responding to local emergencies or deploying overseas. The battalion is made up of Citizen-Soldiers from communities across Iowa who balance civilian careers and family life with military service.
The unit has already become active in the Fairfield community through the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Fairfield High School Veterans Day Ceremony, the Warrior-Citizen Award program, and volunteer efforts including the Lord’s Cupboard.
With their state and regional titles secured, Pasker and Hook will next compete at the national Army-wide Best Warrior Competition, where they will face another demanding challenge for a chance to earn national titles.
