Holland Soldier wins 2016 International Sniper Competition

Photo By Maj. Tyler Piper | Sgt. Saykham Keophalychanh (left) and Sgt. Nicholas Mitchell of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, wait for their turn at the “Moving Target” portion of Fort Benning’s 2016 International Sniper Competition. In the moving target event, each team is given 16 rounds and five minutes to hit four moving targets amid a variety of (also moving) obstacles. In addition, the team must identify four of the moving targets (placed at unknown distances) as “high value” in order to score well in this portion of the competition. The exclusive competition took place Oct. 17-21, 2016, and consisted of 43 national and international two-man teams. (Michigan National Guard photo by Capt. Tyler Piper/Released)  

LANSING, MI, UNITED STATES

11.02.2016

Story by Capt. Tyler Piper 

Michigan National Guard

Keophalychanh enlisted into the Michigan Army National Guard in 2005 and attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before moving on to complete the armor crewman specialty school. In 2006, Keophalychanh transitioned to the infantry where he became a member of Company F (Ranger), 425th Infantry, Long Range Surveillance. Prior to regiment’s inactivation (in 2011), Keophalychanh completed Javelin Gunnery school and Squad Designated Marksman training before attending the U.S. Army Sniper School at Fort Benning and becoming a certified Observer Controller in 2009.

Keophalychanh deployed to Iraq in 2008 and 2009. During his two tours, he served as the crew’s gunner and senior scout, two of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S Military.

During his military career, Keophalychanh has received numerous awards including the Michigan Legion of Merit, Chief’s 50 Marksmen Badge, excellence in Pistol Competition Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and now winner of the Fort Benning 2016 International Sniper Competition.

When not in military status, Keophalychanh is a conservation officer with the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He is primarily assigned to Berrien County.

• Date Taken: 11.02.2016
• Date Posted: 12.23.2016 10:24
• Story ID: 213631
• Location: LANSING, MI, US
• Hometown: GRAND RAPIDS, MI, US
• Hometown: HOLLAND, MI, US
• Hometown: KALAMAZOO, MI, US
• Hometown: LANSING, MI, US
• Hometown: WYOMING, MI, US