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 Pfc. Carlos Marquez

12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct sling load recovery training

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

March 5, 2025 | 1:17

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, conduct a Black Hawk sling load recovery during a crash recovery training simulation on Hohenfels Training Area, Bavaria, Germany, March 4, 2025. As Europe’s premier combat aviation brigade, 12th CAB enhances operational readiness through realistic training, ensuring its forces remain prepared to support multinational partners and execute rapid response missions.

Shot List:

Shot List:
00:00:05:00 – U.S. Soldiers load a CH-47F Chinook with sling load equipment.

00:00:12:01 – U.S. Soldiers board a CH-47F Chinook.

00:00:16:01 – Two U.S. Army flight crew members look out the back of a CH-47F Chinook.

00:00:21:17 – U.S. Army flight crew scans the area from the back of a CH-47F Chinook.

00:00:27:14 – U.S. Soldier looks out the window of a CH-47F Chinook.

00:00:32:14 – Soldiers exit the Chinook and move into the field.

00:00:37:14 – Soldiers unpack sling load equipment.

00:00:42:14 – Soldiers secure a simulated downed UH-60 Black Hawk for recovery.

00:00:47:14 – Front view of the sling being wrapped around the UH-60 Black Hawk.

00:00:52:14 – Soldier drags a cable sling into position.

00:00:57:14 – CH-47F Chinook lands on-site.

00:01:05:21 – Soldiers attach slings to the CH-47F Chinook for the lift.

00:01:10:21 – Vertical shot of the CH-47F Chinook lifting the UH-60 Black Hawk via sling load.