Photo By Sgt. Oniel McDonald | The winning teams of the 2024 1st Armored Division Best Bradley and Best Abrams Crew...... read more read more
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Fort Bliss, Texas — The 1st Armored Division, known as “America's Tank Division,” hosted the Iron Soldier Best Bradley and Best Abrams Crew Competition April 8 - 14.
This high-stakes event brought together the division’s finest tank and Bradley crews for a grueling test of skill, teamwork, and precision. The competition unfolded against the backdrop of the vast Fort Bliss training area, where the desert sun bore witness to the prowess of these armored warriors.
The Best Bradley Crew emerged from the 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, comprised of Sgt. 1st Class Eagleman, Spc. Houston, and Spc. Sutton. The crew demonstrated exceptional coordination, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment. Their synchronized maneuvers and precise gunnery skills secured their victory, earning them the Army Commendation Medal from 1st Armored Division Command Sgt. Maj. Light James Light.
“Competition drives excellence. Events like this give crews and individual soldiers in the division something to strive for,” said 1st Armored Division Command Sgt. Maj. James Light. “Having the opportunity to not just win the competition, to make the cut to compete in a division level event speaks volumes about the level of professionalism of those crews and individuals. I’m extremely proud of the way the competition was planned, designed and executed and how all the crews performed from day one. Down to the individual soldier, the crews exemplified what it means to be an Iron Soldier.”
The Best Abrams Crew hailed from the 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Armored Combat Team. Sgt. 1st Class Drugich, Sgt. Flaherty, Spc. Yznaga and Spc. Butler epitomized armored excellence. Their lightning-fast target acquisition, flawless communication, and battle-tested resilience earned them a place in division history. They also received the Army Commendation Medal, a testament to their unwavering dedication.
“The Best Crew Competition was developed to test technical mastery and celebrate excellence,” said 1st Armored Division Installation Master Gunner Master Sgt. Roger Garcia. “All teams selected to participate in the division-level competition are among the best in the Army and should be proud of the level of expertise they have achieved. The competition was tight and extremely competitive, and all teams performed remarkably.”
The Road Ahead: The 2024 Sullivan Cup
As the dust settles on the Fort Bliss training grounds, these victorious crews now travel to represent the 1st Armored Division on a grander stage. Their destination - the prestigious 2024 Sullivan Cup at Fort Moore, Georgia, where they will face off against the world’s finest Bradley and tank crews.
Light provided some advice for the winning crews as they prepare to compete in the Sullivan Cup.
“The most important thing I can tell our crews headed to the Sullivan Cup is that discipline and attention to detail will win the day. The difference is who can be consistently good.”
Established in 2012, the Sullivan Cup rigorously tests and evaluates tank crews from across the Armor Branch, the U.S. Marine Corps, and international partners. It embodies the spirit of its namesake, General (Retired) Gordon R. Sullivan, a stalwart advocate for armored excellence.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2024 22:50 |
| Story ID: | 469250 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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