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188th hosts Phase 1 of Chief, National Guard Bureau Postal Match

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Building 142 at the 188th Fighter Wing took on the sounds of an old-fashioned shooting arcade during a Unit Training Assembly Jan. 7-8. The building was alive with sounds of snaps and bells from Phase 1 of the Chief, National Guard Bureau Postal Match.

In all, 46 shooters from various units vied to gun down the field at the event, which featured Laser Marksmanship Training System competitions in both pistol and rifle.

In the end, though, it was the 188th Security Forces Squadron's Master Sgt. Greg Palmer who proved to be the event's top gun with a first-place overall score of 1,017 points. Palmer also won both the rifle and pistol competitions with 537 and 480 points, respectively.

Tech Sgt. Sean Dover, also of the 188th SFS, nabbed second place overall with an event tally of 1,010 points. Dover netted 535 points in rifle and 475 points in pistol to finish second in both events.

Staff Sgt. Cody McConnell, another 188th SFS Airman, took third overall with 931 points. Staff Sgt. Timothy Holland (924 points) of the 188th SFS and Master Sgt. James Bearden (913 points) of the 188th Maintenance Squadron rounded out the top five, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Master Sgt. Michael Walker, competition coordinator for the 188th Fighter Wing, said the event is designed to promote marksmanship among National Guard members. It consists of timed shooting rounds in pistol and rifle in each of three positions: Prone, standing and kneeling.

Walker said in Phase 1, Guardsmen compete against other Airmen or Soldiers in their unit and state using a Laser Marksmanship Training System. Each competitor can shoot as many times as desired and submit their best score, he said.

The Laser Marksmanship Training System uses laser transmitter rods that send a beam to a computer-controlled target downrange. The rods work with each unit's own weapons so it allows shooters to develop familiarity by practicing with the same weapons they use in competition and during deployments.

"This is a good system to train fundamentals of shooting," Walker said. "You don't have to deal with noise or recoil. You've got instant feedback. It's inexpensive to run. This is an excellent way to reveal what a shooter needs to work on."

Walker said that in the past, the CNGB competition has been suspended due to the Guard's increased operational tempo. This is the second year that the 188th has participated in the competition using the Beamhit Laser Marksmanship Training System, he said.

Walker said the system was purchased with funds provided by the National Guard Bureau and it has proven to be inexpensive to operate because it allows the 188th to conduct marksmanship training during times when weather or conditions might otherwise prevent live-fire training.

The top four competitors in each region will go on to compete in a shoulder-to-shoulder live-fire competition at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark.

188th hosts Phase 1 of Chief, National Guard Bureau Postal Match

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Building 142 at the 188th Fighter Wing took on the sounds of an old-fashioned shooting arcade during a Unit Training Assembly Jan. 7-8. The building was alive with sounds of snaps and bells from Phase 1 of the Chief, National Guard Bureau Postal Match.

In all, 46 shooters from various units vied to gun down the field at the event, which featured Laser Marksmanship Training System competitions in both pistol and rifle.

In the end, though, it was the 188th Security Forces Squadron's Master Sgt. Greg Palmer who proved to be the event's top gun with a first-place overall score of 1,017 points. Palmer also won both the rifle and pistol competitions with 537 and 480 points, respectively.

Tech Sgt. Sean Dover, also of the 188th SFS, nabbed second place overall with an event tally of 1,010 points. Dover netted 535 points in rifle and 475 points in pistol to finish second in both events.

Staff Sgt. Cody McConnell, another 188th SFS Airman, took third overall with 931 points. Staff Sgt. Timothy Holland (924 points) of the 188th SFS and Master Sgt. James Bearden (913 points) of the 188th Maintenance Squadron rounded out the top five, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Master Sgt. Michael Walker, competition coordinator for the 188th Fighter Wing, said the event is designed to promote marksmanship among National Guard members. It consists of timed shooting rounds in pistol and rifle in each of three positions: Prone, standing and kneeling.

Walker said in Phase 1, Guardsmen compete against other Airmen or Soldiers in their unit and state using a Laser Marksmanship Training System. Each competitor can shoot as many times as desired and submit their best score, he said.

The Laser Marksmanship Training System uses laser transmitter rods that send a beam to a computer-controlled target downrange. The rods work with each unit's own weapons so it allows shooters to develop familiarity by practicing with the same weapons they use in competition and during deployments.

"This is a good system to train fundamentals of shooting," Walker said. "You don't have to deal with noise or recoil. You've got instant feedback. It's inexpensive to run. This is an excellent way to reveal what a shooter needs to work on."

Walker said that in the past, the CNGB competition has been suspended due to the Guard's increased operational tempo. This is the second year that the 188th has participated in the competition using the Beamhit Laser Marksmanship Training System, he said.

Walker said the system was purchased with funds provided by the National Guard Bureau and it has proven to be inexpensive to operate because it allows the 188th to conduct marksmanship training during times when weather or conditions might otherwise prevent live-fire training.

The top four competitors in each region will go on to compete in a shoulder-to-shoulder live-fire competition at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark.