U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition

U.S. Army units from across Europe converge to compete for the title of Best Warrior. The week-long event tests Soldier skills, endurance, fortitude and resourcefulness as well as intellectual and problem-solving capabilities. Officers, noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers compete in separate categories and are evaluated on general military knowledge, physical fitness and common military tasks.

While some of the competition tasks are standard such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, written test, marksmanship, ruck march, land navigation and command sergeants major board; some of the challenges such as chemical defense and medical tasks - added to the stress of fitting everything into a few short days - makes the competition extra tough.

Winners in the NCO and junior enlisted categories will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Virginia.

For more imagery, videos and news visit our DVIDS feature page at: U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition

The Competitors

2021 U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competitors.

EBWC - Imagery

EBWC Videos

Video by Sarayuth Pinthong

560th Flying Training Squadron hosts the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Flyers

502nd Air Base Wing

March 28, 2023 | 1:03

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Sweet, retired, Lt. Col. Dick Francis, retired, Maj. Lynn Beens, retired, and Capt. Charles Jackson, USAF 1965-1979, became the next four Freedom Flyers during a T-38 Talon flight with Instructor Pilots from the 560th Flying Training Squadron, Mar. 23, 2023, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

Since 1973, all repatriated combat pilots physically able to return to active flying have come to the 560th Flying Training Squadron for requalification training. As a final chapter in Operation homecoming, the squadron has flown 209 Freedom Flyers and many of those returned to active-duty flight status. The first flight for each returning pilot with the 560th granted what the last flight in Southeast Asia should have been. Traditionally, after each pilot completed his last flight in theater, his comrades greeted him on the flight line to celebrate a safe last landing. A bottle of champagne was passed around to commemorate the occasion and to pause briefly in remembrance of those who had not returned. Each year, the 560th hosts a reunion of “Freedom Flyers” commemorating the anniversary of Operation Homecoming. Scheduled events include static displays, fly-bys, a wreath laying ceremony, a POW symposium, and a formal banquet. In 2023, the 560th honors four more Freedom Flyers which will commemorate 50 years of this unique connection between the 560th Flying Training Squadron the men that returned from captivity with honor. (U.S. Air Force video by Sarayuth Pinthong)

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560th Flying Training Squadron hosts the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Flyers

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