Right on target

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Security Forces Squadron hosted the M9 pistol and M16A2 rifle Excellence in Competition shooting match May 17 at the combat arms shooting range to coincide with Police Week. The competition takes place every year around the middle of May and anybody on Travis can compete.

"We have this competition every year to help celebrate Police Week," said Col. Enrico Venditti, 60th Security Forces Squadron commander. "It's great to come out and see Airmen from all sorts of career fields just having a good time."

Venditti said he also was a little shocked at how well some of the Airmen were shooting. The winner for the M16A2 rifle match shot a 499, one away from a perfect score.

"I have shot a lot in the past, but this is my first time competing here," said Tech Sgt. Tim McGee, 60th Dental Squadron dental laboratory technician. "It's definitely a challenge with this match because all the shots you take are unsupported and you have to fire a lot faster than normal to meet the time restraints."

Before heading out to the range, the competitors were issued their weapons and allowed to clean them if they chose. Cleaning them after the match was mandatory for everyone.

After being issued weapons, participants were given a safety briefing and the rules of the contest. They were informed that unlike a typical qualifying class combat arms usually hosts, there would be no coaching from the instructors during the match.

"This competition is very enjoyable and relaxing," said Master Sgt. Tyler Brown, 60th SFS combat arms and armory section chief. "The shooters can just come out and enjoy themselves and have fun. It's a very positive experience."

Once at the range, shooters not only had a chance to win the competition, but also to achieve the marksmanship decoration if they qualified for it, Brown said.

"The participants don't have to worry about passing or failing," he said. "They can just come out and have fun. It's nice to mix it up sometimes and have a little competition and camaraderie."

The winner for the M9 pistol match was Staff Sgt. Kevin Kirkland, 60th SFS. The winner of the M16A2 rifle match was Staff Sgt. Russ Hobbs, 573rd Global Support Squadron.