Superb supporters power prestigious competition

By Staff Sgt. Christina TurnipseedSeptember 17, 2015

Superb supporters power prestigious competition
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command serve as "local police" during urban scenario training conducted during the 2015 European Best Warrior Competition at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Sept. 16. Versatile support staff performed roles ra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Superb supporters power prestigious competition
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The "mayor cell" officer in charge, 1st Lt. Johnathan Charney, operates a computer-simulated war fighting program in the "Gun Fighter Gym" on Camp Aachen here Sept. 16 in support of the 2015 European Best Warrior Competition. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany- While candidates from all over the European footprint compete fiercely for the honor of being named the best warrior in U.S. Army Europe, hardworking Soldiers from across the region joined forces to create the best possible conditions for competitors to compete in.

Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command traveled more than 300 kilometers from Kaiserslautern to Grafenwoehr to set up basic operations on Sept. 3 in preparation for the annual event.

Headquarters Company, 21st Special Troops Battalion, 21st TSC 1st Sgt. Ryan Sattelberg, also known as the "vice-mayor" in his capacity as a key leader of the Camp Aachen organizational and life-support effort, said his team arrived Sept. 3 with 9 Soldiers.

"They have been working extremely hard," said Sattelberg, a native of Alamogordo, New Mexico. "They removed tons of dirt off the sidewalks to make sure we can show the pride that we have not just in 21st but in all of USAREUR. We wanted to give the competitors the very best that they could possibly have."

The "mayor cell" completed many other essential tasks that helped set conditions for a successful contest.

"We are responsible for the living accommodations, the general welfare of all the 200 or 300 Soldiers assigned to the European Best Warrior Competition," Sattelberg said. "That includes the grounds, the billeting, food, maintenance of the latrines and everything that goes with it."

Other key organizational leaders, including 1st Lt. Johnathan Charney, the officer in charge of the mayor cell and native of Des Plaines, Illinois, shared the first sergeant's high opinion of the team's efforts, professionalism and attention to detail.

"They track each and every person coming in and out of the Best Warrior Competition by grade, rank and gender," said Charney, himself known affectionately as "mayor" of the camp. "Every bunk here is labeled to track every single Soldier by bed."

"You've got the medics here, led by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Johnson from the 30th Medical Brigade," the "mayor" noted. "They take care of not just the competitors but the cadre and support members -- which is over 200 people. We have a standing [Dinning Facility] with chow ran in from main post. And we have Soldiers running about five [light medium tactical vehicles, usually known as LMTVs] to transport competitors."

The 21st TSC also set up a Tactical Operations Center to keep a firm hand on operations during the contest itself.

"One of the hardest jobs out here is tracking the movement of all the competitors from lane to lane because they are continuously moving and we make sure they stay on track as far as not missing a time line," said Staff Sgt. Georgie Rodriguez, a key competition organizer and TOC leader, and a native of Puerto Rico.

"EBWC TOC operations has been in full effect meticulously tracking every aspect of the competition," stated Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Williams, the 21st Special Troops Battalion command sergeant major and native of Clinton, North Carolina.

"The Soldiers have put in countless hours of practice and even more countless hours of validation," he added.

Sgt. Maj. Sean Miller, the TOC sergeant major as well as a key competition organizer and a native of Miami, Florida, described his vision for the mission and his assessment of the performance of the support staff of more than 250 members.

"The competitors deserve the very best," Miller said. "And the only way they're going to get the very best is if we are a well, oiled functioning operations cell able to keep transportation, movement, and execution in sync. I believe that's where we are right now."

Related Links:

U.S. Army Europe

21st Theater Sustainment Command

Best Warrior Microsite

21st TSC Facebook

Best Warrior Photos on Flickr