CAMP SIMBA, Kenya – Fifty-two Army National Guard and U.S. Air Force members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa participated in a joint-force combined arms marksmanship competition July 20-25. 

Combat scenarios were simulated during the individual and team matches. Participants competed using multiple weapon systems, engaging in transitioning targets from different distances in various firing positions. 

“The event was modeled after the TAG (the adjutant general) match as well as the Winston P. Wilson National Match that is conducted at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center each year,” said U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chandler Potts, event organizer and platoon sergeant with 1st platoon, B Company, 1-116th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Red Dragon.

The Winston P. Wilson Championship is conducted annually at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, North Little Rock, Arkansas, and involves the rifle, pistol, machine gun, and combined arms disciplines. Service members test marksmanship skills and weapon systems in a battle-focused environment. 

The experience Potts gained from participating in the regional and national matches last year was instrumental in organizing and coordinating the Camp Simba, Kenya, competition.

Potts’ goal was for Soldiers and Airmen to gain experience shooting in large-scale combat environment matches like the WPW and have a unique training opportunity while serving in a joint-deployed environment.

The joint-force combined arms marksmanship competition consisted of three days of shooting in seven events.

The results:

Pistol 1st place: U.S. Army Sgt. Alexandra Griffeth with 299 points. 2nd place: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Bell, 291 points. 3rd place: U.S. Army Sgt. Jameson Kelly, 271 points.

Rifle 1st place: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Sukovich, 393 points. 2nd place: U.S. Army Spc. Jacob Friedman, 380 points. 3rd place: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Fulton, 375 points.

Team 1st place: Raptor A - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Fulton, Sgt. Matthew Dawson, Spc. Jacob Friedman, Spc. Jonathan Farrar. 2nd place: Ace Tomato Co. - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dino Vidal, Sgt. Luke Miller, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Sukovich, Staff Sgt. Colin Oppegard. 3rd place: STS - U.S. Air Force Capt. Jesse Stafford, Tech. Sgt. Cody Muchow, Senior Airman James Bell, Tech. Sgt. Lex Sierra.