U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Dowman, a multiple launch rocket system crewmember assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, conducts a kettlebell carry during the physical portion of an M17 pistol stress shoot as part of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, July 30, 2026. The stress shoot combines physical exertion with marksmanship tasks to challenge Soldiers’ ability to maintain focus, control and weapons proficiency while fatigued.
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-Aug. 6, 2026. 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 photo by Sgt. Griffin Payne)
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2026 11:34 |
| Photo ID: | 9840045 |
| VIRIN: | 260730-A-WQ640-1012 |
| Resolution: | 4580x3684 |
| Size: | 5.7 MB |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 2 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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