D-M team wins regional firefighter challenge, qualifies for national competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Five Airmen from the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron's fire emergency services unit recently took first place in the Tucson Firefighter Combat Challenge open.

The event, held June 12, 2010, was one of dozens that are part of the national Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge, which runs yearly from April through October. The contests attract representatives from hundreds of municipal fire departments at locations all over the country, plus competitions in New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa.

The events pit participants, wearing "full bunker gear" and a breathing apparatuses, against each other in timed head-to-head races that simulate the physical rigors of real-world firefighting. The tasks include climbing a five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, pulling and shooting fire hoses at a target, and dragging a 175-pound dummy across the finish line.

Led by team captain Staff Sgt. Mike Hulcy and including Staff Sgt. Ryan Roxburgh and Airmen 1st Class Mike Howell, Daniel Robinson and Garrett Christensen, the D-M firefighters won both the "Team Open" and "Team Relay" events.

"Going into it, we knew with the training we had done, we had put ourselves in a position to win," Sergeant Hulcy said. "It was a great experience, being able to step up and show everybody we're military, but we can also stand on the fire ground and do any task that any other firefighter can do."

The Airmen also acquitted themselves well in the timed individual contests. Out of 60 competitors, Sergeant Hulcy finished fifth, Airman Howell finished ninth, and Airman Robinson finished 16th.

Airman Howell's result also earned him the "Greenhorn Trophy" for best time by a first-time competitor.

"I was the only one with any experience doing (the firefighter challenge), so we all spent a lot of times away from our families, off duty," Sergeant Hulcy said. "Luckily, they all took my guidance, we practiced hard as a team, and nobody complained."

The performance of the team reflected credit on all of D-M's firefighters, as evidenced by 355th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Charles Hunter's visit to the fire station June 22. Colonel Hunter congratulated the team on their accomplishment and thanked the entire unit for their consistent professionalism.

"I was extremely happy that all the hard work the team put in eventually paid off," said Senior Master Sgt. Jim Evans, deputy chief of D-M Fire Emergency Services. "I'm also proud that the public could see the dedication and professionalism that U.S. Air. Force Fire Emergency Services has and provides to the base and surrounding communities."

The D-M team is now eligible to compete in the national competition, which is scheduled to take place over several days in October.