Soldiers from across 11th Airborne Division shine at Angel Ascent innovation competition

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska — From hand-sewn prototypes to custom-built web platforms, Soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division demonstrated the power of gras… FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska — From hand-sewn prototypes to custom-built web platforms, Soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division demonstrated the power of grassroots innovation during Angel Ascent, held Oct. 28 at the division theater. Col. Matthew Adamczyk, deputy commanding officer for operations, 11th Airborne Division, praised the competitors’ efforts. Spc. Leighton Keilen, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, earned first place for his Skydio Drone Relay and modular payload delivery system that significantly extends tactical drone range and utility in Alaska’s rugged, mountainous terrain.

Col. Matthew Adamczyk presented Keilen with a Meritorious Service Medal. All other competitors received Army Commendation Medals, and every participant was awarded a four-day pass in recognition of their efforts. The competition provided Soldiers of all ranks a direct platform to present practical solutions to senior military leaders, civilian officials and innovation experts. Each innovator received 10 minutes to brief their project followed by five minutes of questions from the judging panel, which evaluated entries on problem identification, solution quality, operational value, resource requirements and presentation. The event highlighted a key truth: some of the Army’s most effective solutions come from the Soldiers who live with the problems