Our Story
Airmen Fight was founded on the belief that fighting games can unite people – especially those serving far from home. In 2018, while attending a professional development course, Technical Sergeant Alejandro “Zohta” Chavarriga and Master Sergeant Max “Maxpowers” Tubbs (ret.) discovered a shared passion for the fighting game community (FGC). Their friendship became the foundation of a movement.
Alejandro, a native New Yorker and high-level competitor in titles like Ultra Street Fighter IV, envisioned bridging the gap between the Air Force and the FGC. With Max’s leadership and influence across military circles, they began promoting fighting games as a way for service members to connect with each other and with the communities they served. Their grassroots efforts reached events like Defend the North and East Coast Throwdown, earning recognition for authenticity and impact.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the need for connection grew stronger. Airmen Fight responded by launching an online community where Air Force and Space Force members could meet, play, and support one another through fighting games. What began as a Discord server soon evolved into the Airmen Fight Exhibition Series, backed by community leaders and supporters like TSgt Sebastian “Decawolf” Godsey.
The team’s legitimacy grew when the U.S. Army Esports program collaborated for the first official inter-service FGC exhibition, showcasing military talent and unity on a national scale. Featured on Twitch’s front page, the event cemented Airmen Fight’s role as a hub for competitive service members.
Even through major life transitions; Max’s retirement in 2021 and Alejandro’s move to the Air Force Reserves – the mission endured. In 2022, they launched the Airmen Fight Evolution Series, aimed at sending a service member to EVO, the world’s biggest fighting game tournament. While the final goal wasn’t met, the initiative reinvested all raised funds into the community and strengthened their ongoing commitment.
Today, Airmen Fight continues to empower, connect, and uplift the military Fighting Game Community. Through exhibitions, tournaments, and offline meetups, they remain a unique bridge between military service and gaming culture – proving that no matter where you’re stationed, you’re never alone in the fight.