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Travis firefighters win Combat Challenge World Championships

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (AMCNS) --  Competing against more than 240 firefighters from around the globe, the Travis Team Firefighters won the World Firefighter Combat Challenge Stream-light Relay and the team competition at Deerfield Beach, Fla. Dec.1-3. With a time of 4 minutes, 25.14 seconds, this was the team's second consecutive team competition win.

“It’s something we’ve been fighting for. Last year we lost the relay to Windsor Canada; however, I discovered earlier in the year while training, that we had a better team,” said Tech. Sgt. Mike Melton, 349th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter.

The specific pre-contest training the Team Travis firefighters use is a secret. The team utilizes a combination of cardio- and weight-training designed to use the muscles needed for the challenge.

Even with the intense training preparation, the team members can feel nervous and extremely anxious in the staging area tent before the events.

“If you can control your nerves in the staging area, that’s huge. Sometimes you can feel like throwing up. Especially when you see the fastest competitors suiting up next to you,” said Sergeant Melton.

Upon leaving the staging area, each firefighter must perform five tasks, including climbing a five-story tower, completing hoisting and chopping exercises, draging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175-pound "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponents and the clock. During the course, 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 the firefighters to become aware of their own conditioning levels and abilities.

“Every firefighter takes their body to the limit some time in their career. The Firefighter Challenge is a great opportunity to see what our limitations are,” said Sergeant Melton.

According to Paul Davis, president of the WFCC, dedicating themselves to push the limitations is what the champions are all about.

“The dedication of the Travis Team is an inspiration, they define champions. Their team captain [Sergeant Melton] has been in pursuit of this for eight years. We’re really proud of him and his team, and I’m sure the Air Force is, too,” said Mr. Davis.

Positive praises were also heard from two Travis leaders who attended the event to support the Travis Team Firefighters.

“This win is a testament to their hard work," said Chief Master Sgt. John Speakman, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief. "The fact that [Sergeant Melton] can build a team every year, even with the military mission, all on their off-duty time is amazing to me. They can have drastic team changes and still, with gifted leadership, they’re able to win.”

“It’s another Team Travis success story, both active duty, Reserves and civilian. The same focus and dedication we use in military operations is also used in firefighting,” added Col. Tracy Hardwick, 60th Mission Support Group commander.

Members of the Travis team were Sergeant Melton, Staff Sgt. Harry Myers, Staff Sgt. Omar Shamid-deen, David Chiodo, Senior Airman Joseph Almony, and Senior Airman Jeff Mcclendon.