EABestSquad

U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition

US Army Europe Best Warrior Logo

Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa will meet at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, to compete for the title of Best Squad, July 31 - August 9, 2024.

The event tests the squad’s effectiveness, communication, and overall cohesion, as well as the individual Soldiers’ technical and tactical proficiency, endurance, and fortitude.

This competitive training event exercises a full range of Squad-Level Skills; highlighting professional excellence and knowledge to determine the command’s top teams.

Winners of this competition will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the Army Best Squad Competition.

One noncommissioned officer and one junior Soldier will be selected out of the final winning squad to be named the Army’s Best NCO and Best Soldier of the Year, respectively.

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

Videos

Video by Pfc. Brent Lee

Operation Cowboy: U.S. Soldiers, German & Czech communities hold festival to commemorate unique WWII battle

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

May 1, 2025 | 6:30

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment completed a spur ride and participated in Operation Cowboy at Hostoun, Czech Republic, April 30, 2025. This event commemorated the 80th anniversary of Operation Cowboy, which took place in the final days of World War II on April 28, 1945, in which American troops from 2nd Cavalry Regiment liberated the citizens of Hostoun, Czech Republic from Waffen-SS control and rescued hundreds of Lipizzaner horses from a breeding farm in Hostoun from being executed by occupying forces. During the battle, two American Soldiers from 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Pfc. Raymond E. Manz and Tech/5 Owen W. Sutton, were killed. The wreath-laying ceremonies and the memorial statue in the town square of Hostoun continue to honor their sacrifices today.

U.S. Army video by Pfc. Brent Lee
Runtime: 00:06:31

00;06 Soldiers participate in ruck march during Operation Cowboy
00;19 Soldiers participate in ruck march during Operation Cowboy
00;33 Soldiers participate in ruck march during Operation Cowboy
00;41 Soldiers participate in ruck march during Operation Cowboy
00;59 Soldiers participate in ruck march during Operation Cowboy
01;14 Soldiers stop at memorial during during Operation Cowboy
01;20 Soldiers complete workout during Operation Cowboy
01;31 Soldiers complete workout during Operation Cowboy
01;44 Soldiers participate in spur ride ceremony during Operation Cowboy
02;01 Soldiers participate in spur ride ceremony during Operation Cowboy
02;12 Wreaths are laid in memory during Operation Cowboy memorial service
02;22 Wreaths are laid in memory during Operation Cowboy memorial service
02;41 A convoy leaves a memorial site during Operation Cowboy memorial service
03:01 A convoy leaves a memorial site during Operation Cowboy memorial service
03:24 A convoy leaves a memorial site during Operation Cowboy memorial service
03:37 A convoy leaves a memorial site during Operation Cowboy memorial service
03:53 Wreath are lain in memory during Operation Cowboy memorial service
04:10 Wreath are lain in memory during Operation Cowboy memorial service
04:21 Wreath are lain in memory during Operation Cowboy memorial service
04:39 Color guard Soldiers stand at memorial during Operation Cowboy
04:47 Chorus sings The Star-Spangled Banner
05:12 Chorus sings National Anthem of Czech Republic
05:30 Speech is made at memorial during Operation Cowboy
05:43 Wreaths are laid in memory during Operation Cowboy memorial service
05:58 U.S. and Allied forces perform precision jumps during Operation Cowboy memorial service
06:15 U.S. and Allied forces perform precision jumps during Operation Cowboy memorial service

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Operation Cowboy: U.S. Soldiers, German & Czech communities hold festival to commemorate unique WWII battle