Photo By Capt. Eric-James Estrada | A Soldier with U.S. Army Alaska fires his M9 pistol down range during the USARAK Small...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Soldiers representing units from across U.S. Army Alaska were recognized for displaying excellence in small-arms marksmanship during the 2014 USARAK Small Arms Competition during an award ceremony Nov. 21, 2014, at the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division’s headquarters at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
The USARAK Small Arms Competition is modeled after the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships held at Fort Benning, Ga., every year. This year’s USARAK competition featured 16 Alaskan military teams representing their respective units.
The competition kicked off on Nov. 18 with rifle matches. Competitors were tested on accuracy from distances of 25 to 400 meters. Some variables that challenged the competitors were testing their abilities to balance the effects of wind and gravity at a variety of distances.
The second day of competition featured the teams shooting pistols from ranges of 15 to 30 meters in a variety of shooting positions including standing, kneeling and prone-unsupported positions.
The competition finished Nov. 20 with combined-arms matches that tested the competitors’ ability to fire accurately with both rifle and pistol, with the added stress of physical exertion. Before the match began, the competitors ran a mile and a half before starting the rifle segment. After the rifles, the teams had to carry full, five-gallon water cans to the next firing range where their tired arms and hands fired pistols.
The stress shoot portion tests competitors’ abilities to accurately engage targets on a firing range despite extreme stress and exhaustion, according to Master Sgt. Byron John Humphrey, a Spartan Brigade leader and main organizer of the event.
All competitors shot in the “Excellence in Competition” match for both rifle and pistol. The EIC match provides the opportunity to earn the Army EIC Badge and gain points toward becoming a Distinguished Marksman.
During the award ceremony, the top three teams were recognized. The second runner-up was Team 14 from the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4/25 IBCT (ABN). The first runner-up was Team 4 from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th ID. The event’s champion was Team 3, also from the 1/25 SBCT from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The winning team recorded 67 bulls-eye hits during the competition.
Each member of Team 3 received an Army Commendation Medal, a USARAK Commanding General’s Coin for Excellence, and a 4/25 Spartan Brigade coin as they were recognized at the awards ceremony.
“It was a good competition,” said Staff Sgt. Jean-Noel Howell, a sniper with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. “A lot of fun. JBER is a nice post, and I’m looking forward to coming back next year; competing and trying to win again.”
From here, USARAK will identify the top performers and assemble a team to compete in the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships in February 2015.
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2014 11:47 |
| Story ID: | 148921 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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