1-66 AR snipers value Euro competition experience

Photo By Capt. Scott Walters | Snipers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division practice minimizing their movement while low crawling during concealment and camouflage training at Iron Horse Park, Fort Carson, Colorado, Oct. 19, 2016. The snipers are part of a five-man squad 1-66 Armor Regt. has sent to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, to compete in the European Best Sniper Squad Competition from Oct. 23-27. The competition not only rates sniper teams on marksmanship but also on physical endurance and concealment skills.  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

11.04.2016

Story by Capt. Scott Walters 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

A team of five snipers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, placed in a four-way tie for sixth out of 15 teams at the European Best Squad competition held October 23-27 at Grafenwoehr, Germany.

The team, which included two sniper-spotter teams and their team leader from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-66 AR, competed in 30 different challenges. The four-day competition emphasized individual and team readiness while building camaraderie among five U.S. military teams and 10 international squads from across Europe.

“We were the only squad from the continental U.S. selected to go, so that was a big deal for me,” said Sgt. Allan Garcia, the Fort Carson team’s noncommissioned officer in charge.

Events in the competition included advanced marksmanship and night shooting, a high-angle shoot from a helicopter, a friendship shoot, a water shoot from a boat, stalking, a terrain run, a 12-mile foot march, an obstacle course and land navigation.

“I really enjoyed the friendship shoot,” said Spc. Samuel Nickerson, an infantryman with HHC, 1-66 AR. “We were able to see their weapons and use them.”

The competition, hosted by 7th Army Training Command at Grafenwoehr Training Area, is an annual competition that unites snipers from NATO and Partner for Peace nations.

The Norwegian sniper squad won the competition, with the team from Sweden placing second. Belgium finished third.

“The best part of the competition was being able to interact with people from other countries,” said Garcia. “Seeing how they operate, how they do things, and comparing them to us was pretty interesting. You realize as a Soldier or a service member you’re not that much different. We have a lot in common. We talk or joke about the same things. We had a really good time.”

The other members of the 1-66 AR sniper squad were Pfc. Kyle Wiggins (shooter), Spc. Brandon Miller (spotter) and Spc. Brett Tomberlin (spotter).

While this was the first time Garcia’s squad had a chance to shoot in Germany, it was a preview of sorts for them since 1-66 AR will deploy to Grafenwoehr in January as part of 3rd Brigade’s larger deployment of 4,000 Soldiers across central and eastern Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

“I thought the experience was awesome,” said Garcia. “We got to travel across the world to compete on an international scope. I hope I get to do this again to win first place.”

• Date Taken: 11.04.2016
• Date Posted: 11.17.2016 09:40
• Story ID: 214871
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US