USAREUR-AF Best Squad Competition 2026
Aug. 6, 2026 | 3:42
The USAREUR-AF Best Squad Competition 2026, from in-processing through the closing ceremony, at Grafenwoehr, Germany, July 29 – August 6, 2026.
Twelve squads began with in-processing, equipment layout, and an initial briefing before entering Phase One, which tested the Army Combat Fitness Test, weapons qualification on the M17 pistol, M4 carbine, and M240B machine gun, night land navigation, the Iron Traverse, an M4 stress shoot, the obstacle course, and the Iron Squad Challenge. Squads returned to land navigation by day, a live-fire exercise, a water crossing by assault boat, and the Leader Reaction Course, closing out Phase One with an undisclosed-distance ruck march.
Phase Two opened with an infiltration by CH-47 Chinook helicopter, followed by squads establishing a defensive position and conducting patrolling operations. The phase concluded with a night raid and a final pass through the defensive and patrolling lanes before squads exfiltrated the training area by Chinook.
Phase Three brought squads before a Formal Board that included Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, USAREUR-AF's senior enlisted leader, along with a written examination, before the competition closed with an awards ceremony.
Soldiers of the 7th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, were named USAREUR-AF's Best Squad. The event tested the squad's effectiveness, communication, and overall cohesion, as well as the individual Soldiers' technical and tactical proficiency, endurance, and fortitude, exercising a full range of Squad-Level Skills to highlight professional excellence and knowledge across the command. The winning squad will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the Army Best Squad Competition.