Photo By Cpl. Mark Stroud | Sgt. Jonathan Shue, non-commissioned officer in charge, Machine Shop, Marine Aviation...... read more read more
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PUCKAPUNYAL, Australia - A team of 16 U.S. Marines arrived here May 3 to compete in the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting, an annual, international combat-marksmanship competition hosted by the Australian Army.
Shooting teams from 13 nations will compete in approximately 100 events to determine expertise with pistols, rifles and machine guns on a variety of courses designed to challenge the participants in all areas of combat-marksmanship.
The competition is intended to test the marksmanship capacity of the competitors and provides a benchmark to validate standards, equipment and training for individuals, unit teams and international competitors. The competition is scheduled to conclude May 19.
The U.S. Marine team, comprised of Marines from units based in Virginia, Okinawa and Hawaii, competes internationally to display Marine Corps marksmanship and enhance partnerships with the participating nations, according to Lt. Col. Mark D. Mackey, Civil Affairs officer-in-charge, III Marine Headquarters Group, III MEF, and officer-in-charge, Marine Shooting Detachment, AASAM.
“Not only do we increase our skills through friendly competition, but we share techniques,” said Mackey. “That is important today and will continue to be important in the future because we may fight side-by-side with each other.”
Events were designed to encompass each military’s standard weapon, allowing teams to work with their regular fire team weapon loads. The Marines will use the M9 pistol, M4 carbine, M16A4 service rifle and M249 squad automatic weapon, according to Mackey.
The competition is an opportunity for the participants to hone their skills in an environment conducive to learning, he said.
“It’s training anytime you get trigger time; this training is inspired by a marksmanship competition,” said Mackey. “The fact that the Marine Corps is willing to send us to events like this is a demonstration of the Marine Corps’ commitment to the fundamentals of marksmanship.”
The teams participating in the event represent a large pool of expertise and extensive experience the Marines can draw on to improve themselves, according to Mackey.
The different courses of fire were designed to challenge the participants to react both defensively and offensively.
“The events are basically squad-in-the-defense or squad-in-the-offense, and are a good demonstration of marksmanship skills, teamwork and unit cohesion,” said Mackey. “It will show how well the teams work together.”
The Marines here will be challenged to do well in their events, and bring back what they learn to their units at the end of the competition, according to Mackey.
“This is a chance to gain confidence in your own ability to shoot accurately from a distance in any number of positions and scenarios,” said Cpl. Jeremy Notino, armorer, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It’s a different experience than what we are normally accustomed to, and we can bring it back to the fleet and help others get better.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2011 02:37 |
| Story ID: | 70242 |
| Location: | PUCKAPUNYAL, AUSTRALIA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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