Sabers take 11 awards at Berlin Firefighter Combat Challenge

Published Sept. 21, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Six Spangdahlem Air Base firefighters traveled to Berlin to compete in the first Berlin Firefighter Combat Challenge against 65 fellow firefighters from Sweden, England, Poland, Russia, Germany and the United States Sept. 8.

The 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters began preparing for the competition after the Operations Evaluation in June and earned numerous awards.

"These firefighters continue to amaze me in how well they lead the way and take charge," said Senior Master Sgt. Joe Walsh, 52nd CES fire and emergency services deputy chief. "Their performance secured their entry into the world finals in Las Vegas, and they did it in truly an amazing fashion by taking first in every event and were the overall event champions."

To prepare for the competition, the firefighters worked out six-days a week; a routine they are continuing as they prepare for their next competition.

"On weekdays we lift weights, do cardio and work on course techniques," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Hamilton, 52nd CES firefighter. "Our conditioning drills include running stairs, sprints, push ups, sit ups and even pushing cars. On weekends we run the whole course twice, after a 30-minute warm up."

This preparation paid off with the Sabers taking home 11 awards.

"The team performed very well in Berlin," Sergeant Hamilton said. "We trained very hard for the competition and it paid off. Course conditions were harder than expected, but we adapted, overcame and dominated the competition."

The Spangdahlem firefighters placed in the following categories:
Individual competitor under 30
* First place - Staff Sgt. Michael Hulcy
* Second place - Staff Sgt. Nicholas Hamilton
* Fourth place - Staff Sgt. Jeremy Noah
* Sixth place - Staff Sgt. Jack Snyder
Individual competitor older than 40
* First place - Gerd Mueller
Best overall team
* First place - Spangdahlem AB fire department
Best overall competitor
* First place - Staff Sgt. Michael Hulcy
* Second place - Staff Sgt. Nicholas Hamilton
* Ninth place - Mr. Gerd Mueller
* 10th place - Staff Sgt. Jeremy Noah
* 11th place Staff Sgt. Jack Snyder

The Spangdahlem firefighters will be competing in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge - World Competition XVI in Las Vegas this November.

According to the Challenge Web site at www.firefighterchallenge.com, "The Challenge seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to the public. Wearing "full bunker gear" and the SCOTT Air-Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 pound "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock."

The Saber firefighters are looking forward to the challenge they face at the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.

"Competition will be very tough in Vegas," Sergeant Hamilton said. "We will be up against the world's top firefighters, which is a great accomplishment in itself. With more training and conditioning, we feel we will place well in the competition."

Members of the 52nd CES are proud of the performance of the firefighters.

"Be proud of your success and continue to strive to reach the top at the worlds," Sergeant Walsh said. "I'm proud of each and every one of you and I'm certain you'll represent the Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and this base well in Vegas."

While the firefighters appreciate the praise from their leadership, they recognize they could not have been so successful without their support.

"We would like to say a special thanks to Master Sgt. John Ogletree, 52nd CES, the fire department shift personnel, MWR, City of Berlin and everyone else who believed in us and helped out with all the training it takes to compete," Sergeant Hamilton said. "We still have a long way to go before the World Challenge in Las Vegas. Support for the team is greatly appreciated and still needed."