By Senior Airman Cody Dowell, Senior Airman Cody Dowell / Published September 27, 2019
A member of the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron team pulls up a fire house from a rope during the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Events like this required strength and skill as unsafe performances during the competition resulted in a time penalty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing change in and out of firefighting gear, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The extra difficulty of performing the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge while in full firefighting gear allowed members to experience first-hand what members of the Altus AFB fire department are tasked with. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team for the 97th Force Support Squadron sprint at the start of the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The competition consisted of 12 teams competing to see who could complete the challenge the quickest. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team from the 97th Healthcare Operations Squadron go up a flight of stairs during the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Events during the challenge were timed and required skill and accuracy to mimic daily actions of firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
A team member of the 97th Training Squadron team hits a block with a hammer in order to move it the required distance, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. This challenge involved strength, skill and accuracy to simulate the action of chopping down a door as part of the training required by the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron rescue personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team for the 54th Aerial Refueling Squadron and 58th Airlift Squadron drag a mannequin during the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. This event simulated the physical challenges firefighters go through while in their full gear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team for the 97th Communications Squadron drag a hose, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. This challenge was made more difficult since the hose was filled with water, making it weigh around 200 lbs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team for the 97th Security Forces Squadron try to use a fire house to spray a tennis ball off of a traffic cone during the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. After dragging the hose, participants had to spray a tennis ball off of a cone to show their accuracy with a fire hose. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team for the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron pose for a photo after competing in the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. With 12 teams participating for the challenge, it was one with the most participation in the last eight years of hosting the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing watch participants compete in the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Approximately 50 members came out to support the Altus AFB fire department and their units competing as a part of Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
The team for the 54th Aerial Refueling Squadron and 58th Airlift Squadron give each other a high five after finishing the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Participants competed in four timed challenges that simulated the work that firefighters endure on a regular basis as part of Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)
Participants of the Squadron Commander and First Sergeant Challenge pose together after the completion of the event, Sept. 26, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The winner of the 2019 challenge was the team from the 97th Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody Dowell)