Travis firefighters world champions for third straight year

Published Nov. 14, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Not even a rain-slick course could stop Team Travis firefighters from earning their third consecutive World Firefighter Combat Challenge, held here Nov. 7-11.

"It was the toughest dog fight I ever saw and the team rose to the occasion," said John Speakman, Travis Air Force Base fire chief.

The challenge, which attracted hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments from more than 25 locations, encourages firefighter fitness and demonstrates the profession's rigors to the public.

During the competition, firefighters performed five tasks including climbing a five-story tower, hoisting and chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 pound "victim" -- while racing against themselves, their opponent and the clock.

In addition, participants must wear their "full bunker gear," including an air-breathing apparatus.

The course showcases skills firefighters use in real-life rescue situations. It also allows firefighters to become aware of their own conditioning level and ability.

"Our relay team competed six times on Friday and had no drama until the fifth run, "said Mr. Speakman. "We were competing against Miami Dade during the tower portion and [Tech. Sgt.] Mike Melton had a one-second lead."

According to Mr. Speakman, it was at that crucial point, when Sergeant Melton slipped and his flashlight fell from his hand.

"He couldn't find the flashlight right away in the dark and Miami Dade jumped ahead by a wide margin," he said.

Team Travis made up some time during the dummy drag when Staff Sgt. Harry Myers, using a last-minute burst of speed and energy, overtook the Miami Dade competitor and won the relay.

"Harry poured it on and what might have been an easy race for the [Miami Dade] competitor became a true race," Mr. Speakman.

In other challenge competitions, Team Travis members Shenah Groom and Adam Groom earned third place honors in the Team Tandem event and Sergeants Melton and Myers placed third and eighth, respectively in the overall male division.

Although the Team Travis won the "Team" portion of the challenge with a time of 4 minutes and 37.8 seconds, the competition and Mother Nature did not make it easy.

"The team event was on a cold day and there was even some drizzle towards the end," Mr. Speakman said. "When I arrived to watch the final day of competition, I received the bad news that [Senior Airman] Joe Almony had slipped and broken his hand."

According to Mr. Speakman, this win proves that Team Travis not only has the skills to win, but they also have the heart.

"We put our hearts as well as our skills into this competition. We focus on being one team, one fight and used that to overcome our obstacles. The team has always been challenged by the highest level of competition at the event. This year, the largeness of their hearts was demonstrated."

"This is yet another Team Travis success story involving active duty, Reserves and civilian and epitomizes the 'One Team, One Fight' concept," said Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "The fact that this is a three-pete for our firefighters just demonstrates how committed to excellence they are."

The following are the members of the Team Travis Combat Challenge Team:

-- Sergeant Melton, 349th Air Mobility Wing, team captain, coach
-- Sergeant Myers, 60th Air Mobility Wing
-- Airman Almony, 349th AMW firefighter
-- Mr. Dave Chiodo, 60th AMW civilian lead firefighter
-- Mr. Adam Groom, 60th civilian driver/operator firefighter
-- Mr. Aldrico Caragan, 60th AMW lead firefighter
-- Ms. Shenah Groom, 60th AMW driver/operator firefighter
-- Mr. Joey Dominguez, 60th AMW firefighter