Story & photos bySgt. Griffin Payne
21st Theater Sustainment Command August 14, 2026
U.S. Army Spc. Thang Mang, a utilities equipment repairer, assigned to the 15th Engineer Battalion, 7th Engineer Brigade, rolls a simulated enemy prisoner of war onto his side while searching for concealed items during the patrol lane of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 3, 2026. The scenario evaluated Mang’s ability to safely control, search and secure a detainee while remaining alert to potential threats.
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 30 to Aug. 6. 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.
U.S. Army Pfc. Laurance Lane, front, a combat engineer, and Staff Sgt. Vanchung Mang, rear, a bridge crewmember, both assigned to the 15th Engineer Battalion, 7th Engineer Brigade, carry a simulated casualty on a litter during the medical lane of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 3, 2026. The medical lane tested the Soldiers’ ability to move a casualty to safety while maintaining communication, urgency and tactical discipline under simulated combat conditions.
U.S. Army Spc. John Brown, an infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, uses a wooden plank to maintain his balance as fellow Soldiers hold it steady during the Leaders Reaction Course at the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 1, 2026.
U.S. Army Sgt. Dawson Johnson, an infantryman, assigned to 1st Cavalry Division, digs a defensive fighting position with a shovel during the defensive position lane of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 3, 2026. The lane tested Soldiers’ ability to rapidly improve their position, build protection and prepare for follow-on operations in a field environment.
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