PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. –
In what may be the greatest individual performance in the state TAG match, 1st Lt. Andrew Hudak of the 237th Military Police Company collected 14 first-place and five second-place awards in this year's shoot.
Hudak took first or second in 19 of 26 individually scored categories during the New Hampshire National Guard Combat Marksmanship Match held July 27 to 30 at Fort Devens, Mass.
It was Hudak's first time competing. The newcomer won both the individual overall and novice individual crowns while earning the Governor's Twenty tab.
“I always wanted to shoot in the TAG match, and I happened to have a few days off of work," he said.
In the team competition, Hudak's squad "Wasted Potential" bested a field of 18, finishing with top honors in the grand aggregate championship. They earned five first-place awards, three second-places and a third place.
"We all had a great time, and the best part of the weekend was the training value and the camaraderie with everyone,” Hudak said. “It’s important for us to have this kind of cohesion and time spent working together.”
A total of 72 competitors including NHNG soldiers, airmen and four marksmen from the Cabo Verdean special forces vied for individual and team honors.
NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities complimented match organizers, led by Capt. Patrick Randall, Staff Sgt. Joseph Wyner and a small support staff. The live fire was held on six different ranges.
"I've been doing this a long time," Mikolaities said. "This was by far the best one I've ever shot."
NHARNG State Command Sgt. Maj. William Ferland pointed out the 40-hour competition, which comprised 16 individual and team matches and 600 rounds of ammunition per shooter, was the equivalent of about 12 years of shooting the minimum annual qualification rifle course.
"If you want to shoot and train, come to a TAG Match," Ferland said.
--compiled by Spc. Kelly Boyer and Sgt. 1st Class Rick Frost of the 603rd PAD, and NHNG Public Affairs.