173rd Brigade Support Battalion takes first place in Best Squad Competition in Italy

Return to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)

VICENZA, Italy – Paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion (173rd BSB), 173rd Airborne Brigade were announced as the winners of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) Best Squad Competition at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy on April 11, 2025.

“It feels great to win. We put our hearts and souls into this competition,” said Sgt. Travis Dionne, a combat medic assigned to the 173rd BSB. “The competition really validates your skills, and it proves that you are able to accomplish your goals and become the greatest version of yourself.”

Dionne emphasized the importance of competition in the military—it makes the individual Soldier and the squad better. Preparing for competitions like Best Squad reinforce unit and team cohesion, while also developing the individual skills of each competitor.

Each team is composed of five Soldiers: the squad leader, a sergeant first class or staff sergeant; a team leader, a sergeant or corporal; and three squad members in the ranks of specialist or below. The three-day long competition tested their physical strength, mental fortitude, technical proficiency and ability to work as a team.

“I think I can say for the entire team, it shows our dedication to each other,” said Specialist Gavin Hale, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. “This competition shows the best of a unit and to bring out the best cohesion in a team. I am really confident that my team will win in Germany for the U.S. Army Europe and Africa competition.”

The first day of this year’s Best Squad Competition was a physical and mental gut-check consisting of an Army Combat Fitness Test, then an obstacle course event, followed by a stress-shoot and a written essay.

Day two tested their knowledge and proficiency of warrior tasks and skills. Each team was graded on their ability to execute patrolling tasks, such as buddy-team bounding, squad movements testing their ability to move, shoot and communicate cohesively. The squads were also tested on their application of tactical combat casuatly care. Each team had to assess a casualty, provide aid and conduct medical evacuation on a simulated casualty.

Day three ended the competition with a 12-mile ruck march, weapons familiarity test and a formal board. The compressed timeline of these events tests each Soldiers’ ability to push through exhaustion and still excel at encompassing the Full-Soldier Concept, having the ability to stay professional and also be ready to execute warrior tasks and drills.

The winners of this year’s SETAF-AF Best Squad Competition will represent the command in the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command’s competition to take place August 20-28 in Hohenfels, Germany.

Additionally, this year’s Best Squad awarded four individual awards. Best Pen goes to the best essay written, Top Shot for the most accurate marksmanship during the stress shoot, Best Noncommissioned Officer, awarded for the most individual points for a Noncommisioned officer and Best Soldier, awarded for the highest individual points for any Soldier in the competition.

The 2025 SETAF-AF Best Squad Competition Awardees:

• Best Squad: 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade
• Top Shot: Sgt. Brad Simon, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade
• Best Pen: Pfc. Zion Smith, 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade
• Best NCO: Staff Sgt. Allesando Sinicropi, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade
• Best Soldier: Pfc. Maxwell Eskew, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade

About 173rd Airborne Brigade

The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapid forces to the United States European, Africa and Central Commands areas of responsibility. Forward-based in Italy and Germany, the Brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners.

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

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