By Margarita Cambest and Balmina Sehra
USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs

More than 80 firefighters gathered from around Germany to test their firefighting skills at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart’s fourth annual Firefighter Combat Challenge Aug. 15 on Panzer Kaserne. The five-part physical test known as the “toughest two minutes in sports” brings together local German host-nation fire departments and U.S. Army garrison teams from across Europe to build partnership and test core skills.

Participants have two minutes to climb a five-story tower carrying a hose pack, hoist the hose to the top of the tower, smash and drive an obstacle with a hammer, extend a charged hose line and hit a target, and drag a 200-pound rescue dummy across the finish line.

“The course tests the core skills needed on a real emergency scene,” USAG Stuttgart Fire Chief Michael Ambacher said. “Having U.S. and German firefighters compete together highlights the strong partnership and shared readiness of our departments.”

For the second year in a row, USAG Stuttgart Garrison Commander Col. Edward J. Sanford donned a full firefighting kit to tackle the challenge and show camaraderie with first responders. As part of a four-person tandem challenge, Sanford, Lt. Col Daniel Jimenez, Master Sgt. Carlos Boggs and Ambacher, each had to complete one of the five-parts.

“This challenge is famously called the ‘toughest two minutes in sports’ for a reason,” Sanford said. “Participating is my way of showing absolute support for the elite professionals who protect our families daily, both on and off the installation.”

Demonstrating that no obstacle is too difficult to overcome, all participants completed the challenge in full gear despite the 90-degree heat.

“Every firefighter who stepped onto the course today showed the dedication it takes to protect our communities, and having our garrison leadership run the course right alongside us means a great deal to the entire department,” Ambacher said.

The Winners

Athletes’ Category
David Probst 01:26:24
Alexander Sader 01:38:63
Tim Schaffert 01:40:87

Men’s Category
Christian Bradler 01:56:20
Christoph Wolfinger 01:57:25
Sascha. Rentschler 02:14:55

Women’s Category
Anja Ludwig 03:11:05
Tors Werbke 03:22:41
Anna Köllner 03:46:67

Tandem Category
Fire Department Konstanz Friedrichshafen: Tim Schaffert and Robin Winter 01:28:03
Toughest Firefighter Alive Team Berlin: Martin Erbe and Mike Weikamm 01:28:55
Red Lions: Ralf Herb and Rares Schuster 01:32:67

Relay Category
Toughest Firefighter Alive Team Berlin
Firefighters Bremm
Team Bodensee

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