28th's 3rd annual JDAP a smashing success Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Leonhard 53d Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 28th Test Squadron tried to 'smash' a victory over the Air-to-Air Missile Systems Wing in the 3rd annual pumpkin drop Nov. 20. But once again, the 28th missed the mark. The competition already favored the opponents, having been postponed a week for the ORI. Also, the 28th lost 'home-field advantage' when the contest was moved to Building 350 due to canopy construction at 351. Those obstacles didn't keep the 28th from pulling out all the stops however, bringing many variations of 'munitions' to the Joint Direct Attack Pumpkin test. From stinking, rotting and gruesome to the scorpion king of jack-o-lanterns, the 28th used every trick in the book to help its aim from the approximately 70-foot 'testing' platform. The weather, eerily similar to last year's freezefest, played a part in the drop, not just on the pumpkins, but the participants themselves. The 20 contestants braved massive wind gusts that sent chills throughout. The AAMSW prevailed, recording two of the closest drops, which was all it needed to pull out a second straight victory. "It's really no secret that once again, the asquisition warriors of the 328th ARSW were able to hit their targets more accurately than the weaker 28th TES," said overall winner, Capt. Jason Cluche, who missed the mark by only 10 inches. Some 28th operations analysts argued 'statistically' that the squadron had better consistency, but to no avail. The friendly competition may never escalate to the Red Flag or Combat Hammer level, but it did bring in $250 for the squadron holiday party. And there'll always be a new patch next year.