Photo By Master Sgt. Luke Olson | The South Dakota National Guardsman team, representing both Army and Air, took home...... read more read more
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The South Dakota National Guardsman team, representing both Army and Air, took home significant honors from the 53rd Annual Winston P. Wilson (WPW) Championship, held at the Robinson Maneuver Training Center, North Little Rock, Arkansas, April 28-May 3, 2024.
• The South Dakota Alpha team clinched second place in the Overall State Champions team competition, competing against 48 teams nationwide.
• They also secured second place in the Pistol Team Champions category, Combat Pistol Team Aggregate, and Rifle and Piston Championship: Mover’s category.
• Additionally, the team claimed third place in the Pistol and Barricade Team category of the Rifle and Pistol Championship.
The team consists of a coach and four shooters, including two returning competitors and two newcomers, selected based on their past performances. The WPW Championship tests competitor’s proficiencies in rifle, pistol, machine gun and combined arms disciplines.
Tech. Sgt. Trevor Dietrich, a metals technology craftsman with the 114th Maintenance Squadron, distinguished himself by achieving the Chief’s 50 Marksmanship badge in rifle and pistol, recognizing exceptional marksmanship abilities demonstrated at the National Guard Championships.
“Dietrich has exemplified dedication and skill progression, transforming from an average shooter to one of the best in the South Dakota National Guard,” said Jeremy Wager, marksmanship coordinator with the 114th Security Forces Squadron.
The WPW training event aims to promote growth and development of state-level marksmanship training and elevate individual and collective tasks related to it.
Dietrich stressed the significance of off-season training for himself and his teammates to maintain marksmanship, mental and physical fitness, and increase their chances of success.
Dietrich was joined by his coach, Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey A. Heier, readiness noncommissioned officer with the 1-147th Field Artillery Regiment, and teammates, 1st Sgt. Clint Sandness, first sergeant with the 730th Medical Company Area Support, Sgt. Aric Johnson, a military police officer with the 235th Military Police Company, and Spc. Riley James Burbach, small arms/artillery repairer with the 665th Surface Maintenance Company.
“Marksmanship lies at the core of our military, emphasizing fundamental skills, leadership, teamwork, survivability, and lethality,” said Dietrich. “With the threat of near-peer conflicts, Airmen and Soldiers must strive for even greater proficiency in these tasks.”
This competition serves as a valuable training tool for the armed forces, simulating real-world scenarios to enhance readiness and effectiveness.
“In combat, the only bullets that matter are the ones that hit,” said Wager. “Trevor’s ability to carry information from competition at those elite levels and share it increases our ability to get hits.”
Wager praised the wing leadership for their exceptional support of the marksmanship program, recognizing every event as a valuable training opportunity.
The South Dakota team’s accomplishments at the WPW Championship highlights their dedication and the continuous improvement of their marksmanship capabilities, ensuring they remain a formidable force in national defense.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2024 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 471983 |
| Location: | SOUTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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