Jamestown unit continues winning ways at State Marksmanship Competition

Photo By David Lipp | Tech. Sgt. Charles Welle, of the 119th Wing, retrieves his targets July 12 after firing at the “Pistol Excellence in Competition Match” during the 2015 Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing)  

DEVILS LAKE, ND, UNITED STATES

07.12.2015

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — More than 60 Soldiers and Airmen unloaded a barrage of rifle, pistol and shotgun rounds at silhouetted targets posted downrange on the firing complex at Camp Grafton’s southern training area. The North Dakota National Guard shooters competed in a number of individual and team contests July 10-12 during the 2015 Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match.

When the winners were announced during the final day of competition, four shooters from the Jamestown-based 817th Engineer Company again came out on top as the best overall team, with the highest aggregate score from multiple shooting matches. They are Sgt. Evan Messer, of Mandan, North Dakota; Spc. Bryce Solie, of Fertile, Minnesota; Sgt. Jordan Gehlhar, of Lauderdale Minnesota; and Sgt. Andrew Maley, of Enderlin, North Dakota. This is the 31st year in a row the Jamestown unit has secured first place at the state match.

In individual competition, Sgt. Tyler Goldade, of Jamestown, North Dakota, who serves with the 815th Engineer Company (Horizontal), was named the best overall marksman, or “top gun.” He was followed by Messer, who came in second place, and Spc. Tyrel Hoppe, who took third. Hoppe, of Horace, North Dakota, also serves with the 817th Engineer Company (Sapper).

“It’s always fulfilling to see the enthusiasm and professionalism our marksmen bring to this event. It’s a weekend for competition, but also for building camaraderie amongst fellow shooters, and also between members of the Army and Air Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota deputy adjutant general, who attended Sunday’s awards ceremony. “Marksmanship fundamentals are important aspects of our military training, and it’s important that our units see the value in sending their Guardsmen to the Adjutant General’s Combat Marksmanship Match each year.”

According to match planners, this year’s state competition saw the most participation from units across North Dakota in almost a decade. And the experience level of each marksman varies. Teams are required, per military marksmanship competition regulations, to be comprised of two veteran shooters and two novice shooters. Tech Sgt. Josh Von Bank said since most Soldiers and Airmen get basic marksmanship training, there’s tremendous value in attending shooting matches through the North Dakota National Guard’s Marksmanship Program.

“A lot of our shooters are able to [perform] at a level in competition that is very advanced. We have a very high level of shooting and coaching ability here [at the competition]. And we’re failing if we’re not taking that expertise back to the units. That’s why you want maximum participation at events like this, where every unit is able to send somebody — hopefully two old, two new — to continue to build the state’s marksmanship program.”

Novice shooters are introduced to movements and techniques typically not used during yearly unit marksmanship training and qualifications. They also shoot weapons they may not be familiar with. One of the competition’s matches, the “3-Gun Match,” incorporates shotgun firing. The firearm normally is used by combat engineers for breaching doors and barricades. Shotguns have been used in previous Combat Marksmanship Matches, but this year, competitors were introduced to the newer M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System, or MASS. The M26 was a change from using the Mossberg 500, and each competitor, veteran and novice, received an informal class about the new weapon system before reaching the firing line.

“The ‘3-Gun’ puts them in a position where they have to reload, use different positions, different weapon systems, their heart rates are up, and under induced stress positions, [they] need to be able to effectively engage targets, all at pretty close range,” Von Bank said.

To be eligible to shoot in the North Dakota National Guard’s Marksmanship Program, Soldiers and Airmen just need to have an interest in shooting. Messer said new members usually are identified at the unit level. In addition to an enthusiasm for marksmanship, potential new members also are approached to compete based on their annual qualification scores. Messer said participation in marksmanship competitions helps them improve their skills, but also require commitments for practice outside of scheduled training.

“Everybody’s progressing very well. The new shooters, who have just joined the program, are learning a lot. And it’s showing at the unit level, and I’m hearing it from other units,” he said. “It’s about dedication. It takes a little more than just a regular drill weekend to do this.”

Sgt. Tina Heth, of the Minot-based 164th Engineer Battalion, is one of those new shooters. She learned about the competition during her unit’s drill weekend training last fall. There, the Soldiers practiced on a portable marksmanship training tool that uses light beams for hitting circular targets. Heth and another unit member got the top scores and were asked to compete at the state match.

“There’s a lot of skill to this. I need a lot more practice to be at an actual competitive level. I have a ton of respect for these guys [veteran shooters] that go to the national-level competition,” Heth said. “There’s a lot of time put into this. It’s a lot of fun, though.”

Winners from the state competition now will advance to the regional competition Aug. 20-23 at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming. From there, they’ll compete at the national level next spring at the 45th Annual Winston P. Wilson Championship at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

“Everybody comes into the state competition trying to knock each other in the nose, but then after that, this is a North Dakota thing. And the idea is, that when we go down to Winston P. Wilson, we’re there to crush it and win it. And we’re getting there,” Von Bank said.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2015
• Date Posted: 07.17.2015 16:49
• Story ID: 170391
• Location: DEVILS LAKE, ND, US
• Hometown: ENDERLIN, ND, US
• Hometown: FERTILE, MN, US
• Hometown: HORACE, ND, US
• Hometown: JAMESTOWN, ND, US
• Hometown: LAUDERDALE, MN, US
• Hometown: MANDAN, ND, US