82 Guard and Air Guard Members Compete In Oregon's 2016 TAG Match

Photo By Spc. Michael Germundson | Oregon Army National Guard 1st Lt. Lexi Scully (right), a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot with Charlie Company 7-158th Aviation, shoots an M2 .50-caliber machine gun while Chief Warrant Officer 3 Devin Wickenhagen, a UH-60 instructor pilot, spots the target during The Adjutant General (TAG) Match marksmanship competition at Camp Umatilla, April 16. The TAG Match is an annual weekend-long event bringing Soldiers and Airmen from across Oregon to familiarize and compete with multiple small arms weapons in individual and team events. (Photo by Spc. Michael Germundson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

OR, UNITED STATES

05.02.2016

Story by Spc. Alisha Grezlik 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

HERMISTON, Oregon – Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from across the state competed in The Adjutant General (TAG) Match marksmanship competition at Camp Umatilla, in Hermiston, Oregon, April 15-17.

The annual three-day match is a chance for individuals and four-person teams to compete with small arms weapons, including some they have never fired before. The event is supported by the Small Arms Readiness Training Section (SERTS) who spend a year planning and developing the event.

“It’s a unique opportunity for Guard members to compete on several available weapons that not all Service Members get to train with,” said Sgt. 1st Class Scott Mansfield, assistant SERTS coordinator from Joint Force Headquarters. “From hand grenades to competition Kimber .22-caliber rifles, it’s a chance to have a lot of fun in a safe environment.”

The event is voluntary and this year saw the biggest turn-out of 82 Service Members.

“The best part of these competitions is working with other forces,” said Sgt. Thomas Hoy, an infantry squad leader with C Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, in Gresham, Oregon. “It’s great to see competitors who haven’t shot certain weapon systems come off the line with a big smile.”

This year’s winning team was from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in Bend, Oregon. The team members included Sgt. Montgomery Lemire, Spc. Lance Peirce, Spc. Caelen Moore and Capt. Ron Clement.

The top overall individual shooter was Lemire. Sgt. Thomas Hoy, also of C Troop, took second place, and Sgt. Cody Callahan, of B Troop, 1-82nd Cavalry Squadron, took third place.

“It’s great training that we take back to our units,” said Lemire, a sniper section leader with C Troop, 1-82nd Calvary Squadron. “As a sniper team leader, I’m doing the job that I love.”

• Date Taken: 05.02.2016
• Date Posted: 05.02.2016 17:13
• Story ID: 197081
• Location: OR, US