Photo By David Lipp | Tech. Sgt. Charles Welle, of the 119th Wing, moves into position July 12, 2014, as he...... read more read more
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The North Dakota National Guard’s top marksmen last month set their aim on stellar shooting achievements while participating in the 44th Annual Winston P. Wilson (WPW) Championship, hosted by staff at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Soldiers and Airmen used pistols, rifles and shotguns to hit their targets April 25-30 and secure wins in a number of team and individual shooting matches.
The competition this year welcomed more than 300 participants from National Guard units nationwide and also hosted international military shooters from seven different countries, including a team from the Jamaican Defence Force. The Washington, District of Columbia, team hosted the Jamaican shooters as part of its State Partnership Program. It’s the first time the National Guard-sponsored program has been represented at the WPW competition.
The event offers 18 competitive shooting matches. Marksmen not only have the chance to compete at the event, but also receive valuable marksmanship training and knowledge, which they can take back and share with other unit members.
“Marksmanship is a disciplined skill that all military members are required to master. It takes practice, patience and technique,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “Our Soldiers and Airmen have always excelled during regional and national competitions. This year was no different, and I congratulate those marksmen who again set high standards for themselves and achieved success at this year’s Winston P. Wilson championship competition.”
North Dakota’s marksmen proved themselves as expert shooters this year during individual competition. Two of those Soldiers earned the “Chief's 50” marksmanship badge, which is awarded to the top 20 individual rifle competitors and top 20 pistol shooters, using a combined aggregate score from their respective marksmanship matches. Sgt. Tyler Goldade, of Jamestown, North Dakota, who serves with the Edgeley, North Dakota-based 815th Engineer Company (Horizontal), earned the “Chief’s 50” recognition in the rifle category. Sgt. Evan Messer, of Mandan, North Dakota, who serves with the Jamestown, North Dakota-based 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), was awarded in the pistol category. The “Chief’s 50” badge is presented on behalf of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Additionally, two North Dakota Soldiers earned awards in individual shooting events. Spc. Bryce Solie, of Fertile, Minnesota, who also serves with the 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), took second place in the “Close Quarter Battle – Novice” match. Messer also took second place in the “Reflexive Fire” match.
North Dakota had one marksmanship team participate in this year’s WPW. Team members Sgt. Tyler Goldade, of Horace, North Dakota; Sgt. Andrew Maley, of Fargo; Tech. Sgt. Charles Welle, of Fargo; and Messer took 14th place in overall team competition.
The competition cycle for the North Dakota National Guard’s marksmen will reset this summer in July when shooters will vie to qualify for regional competition during the annual Adjutant General’s Combat
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2015 18:24 |
| Story ID: | 163725 |
| Location: | NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, US |
| Hometown: | FARGO, ND, US |
| Hometown: | FERTILE, MN, US |
| Hometown: | HORACE, ND, US |
| Hometown: | JAMESTOWN, ND, US |
| Hometown: | MANDAN, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
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