Legal Office team gets the win, the trophy and the cash

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Members of the 17th Training Wing legal office took first place in the 2007 Firefighter Obstacle Course Challenge Oct. 12 at the Goodfellow Air Force Base Fire Department.

The challenge is designed to both educate and raise awareness about the physical challenges that firefighting personnel sometimes have to face by having competitors go through a series of challenging yet fun, physical activities performed in a controlled and safe environment, said Firefighter Allan Hebert, 2007 Firefighter Obstacle Course Challenge coordinator.

The 2007 Firefighter Obstacle Course Challenge was part of a series of events and activities sponsored by the Goodfellow Air Force Base Fire Department in observance of Fire Prevention Week, an annual, nation-wide campaign put on by fire and rescue organizations intended to educate and raise awareness about fire safety, which ran Oct. 7 - 13.

The winning team was made up of Capt. Mike O'Mara, 2nd Lt. Karissa Goodrich, Tech. Sgt. Thomas Hamilton and Tech. Sgt. Edward Struckel.

The team finished first by completing a seven-stage obstacle course in the fastest time (3 minutes and 3 seconds).

The obstacle course included ladder climbing, advancing a fully-charged fire hose to then shoot water at a fixed object, crawling through a dark, narrow tunnel and a bucket-brigade in which buckets of water were passed down from one team member to another in relay-style fashion.

One of the last three stages included a search trainer, where teams were challenged with the task of entering a smoke-filled room in order to find a 110-pound dummy and carry it out side.

The legal team was later presented with $200, which was divided up equally amongst the group. They were also presented with a large, traveling trophy which will soon bare a plaque with the team's name. The trophy will also display a temporary team photo and will remain in the possession of the team till next year's competition.

"The challenge was tons of fun. Last year was fun too, but this year was way better," said Tech. Sgt. Edward Struckel, 17 TRW legal office Firefighter Obstacle Course Challenge team member.

"I think the challenge is a great event not only to raise awareness about fire safety, but also a great opportunity to raise unit morale and develop camaraderie amongst your fellow co-workers, and it's easier to do those things when your having a blast," Sergeant Struckel added.