USAFE firefighter combat challenge creates camaraderie

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 2012 U.S. Air Forces in Europe Firefighter Combat Challenge took place Sept. 15 at the USAFE Fire Academy here.

To win the challenge, participants must complete several events with the fastest time. Each event simulates exactly what firefighters do in real life.

"Teamwork is huge for the tandem and team portions," said Staff Sgt. Justin King, 886th Civil Engineer Squadron crew chief and combat challenge participant. "You will see everyone out here cheering their teammates on throughout the whole competition and that helps a lot."

"The first event is a five-story stairwell sprint. Participants must climb a three-story tower carrying a hose," said Tech. Sgt. James Hickman, Fire Academy NCOIC and coordinator for this year's combat challenge. "When competitors get to the top of the tower they must place the pack in a specific location.

Once at the top of the tower, the contestant starts the second event - a hose hoist. They must carry a donut roll of hose to the top and place it in a specified area. After that is done, participants climb down the tower ensuring every step is touched.

"Forcible entry is the third event. The Keiser Force Machine is utilized to simulate a forcible entry by hitting a mallet against a sled, driving it along a steel beam," said Hickman.

Competitors then drag a water-filled fire hose 75 feet and shoot the water at a target.

"The last event is the victim rescue. Participants drag a 175-pound mannequin backward 106 feet," said Hickman. "The time then stops when the competitor and the mannequin completely cross the finish line."

The challenge can be done individually, in a team of two and as a team of five and there are trophies for each section.

King won the individual competition with a time of 1:45.

King and his partner, Tech. Sgt. Phillip Washburn, 886th CES district chief and event participant won with a finish time of 1:27.

Team Kaiserslautern Military Community won the team competition with a time of 1:24 and will go on to compete in the world competition.

Even when competing against people from other countries, there is a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie, said Hickman.

"Everyone is always helping each other," said Hickman. "It doesn't matter if you are on a different team we are always sharing strategies. I would do anything for any one of these guys."