SAM Squad ends season with a bang Published Dec. 5, 2008 By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The SAM Squad, the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy's international firefighter challenge competitive team proved to be one of the best teams in the competition sometimes known as "the toughest two minutes in sports." The SAM Squad captured second place at the 2008 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Henderson, Nevada, with a time of 4 minutes and 51.76 seconds and brought a close to a successful, if somewhat surprising, season. "The success of the team was a bit of a surprise because it is always a rebuilding season for the team due to the dynamics of being in the military," said former Staff Sgt. William Gates, who recently separated from the military but will continue to be part of the team thanks to his new position as a civilian instructor at the fire academy. This year's squad of fire academy instructors was composed of several veteran members, Marine Corps Staff Sergeants Nicholas Cook and Charles Ammon and Staff Sgt. Gates, and first-year squad members Staff Sgt. Kevin Wasiewski and Marine Corps Sgt. William Alexander. This season has arguably been the best season for the SAM Squad to date. The squad won the title of 2008 Grand National Champions in the team category a few weeks prior to the world competition in Nevada. Two of the squad members placed in the top three in eight competitions they took part in, and the squad held the six fastest overall-times for a team during the 08 season. The 2008 season caused the Squad to experience a few surprises at their home base as well. The squad commented on the support of their students, who continued to provide another factor of motivation with their curiosity to know about the team and their triumphs throughout the season. The students also supported and participated in the two Rookie Firefighter Challenges this year, an event usually held once in years past. The increase in support by the students was no surprise to Lt. Col. Shawn Moore, commander of the 312th Training Squadron, which heads up the DOD fire academy here at Goodfellow Air Force Base. "I believe that they (the SAM Squad) are one of the most influential factors in the fire fighting career field and are an extra source of pride for our academy, the base and especially for our students," said Lt. Col. Moore. "Lt Col. Moore was an inspiration to the team because he competed at a regional event in Tyler, Texas, with a time of 2:36 and then competed at the worlds event and finished with a time of 2:19," Mr. Gates said. Despite the success of the 2008 season, the squad knows it will face more obstacles and challenges in 2009. "The hardest obstacle we are going to have to overcome is the loss of Staff Sgt. Ammon and Staff Sgt. Cook, two very strong veterans and great competitors," said Mr. Gates. "Staff Sgt. Ammon was the backbone to the team's successes this year and Staff Sgt. Cook was such a key player in the relay event. The team will greatly miss them, but Staff Sgt. Wasiewski and Sgt. Alexander have continuously improved their own performance, along with setting new personal records. These aspects will ensure that the accomplishments of the team will continue for years to come."
