Shooters excel during 88th Security Forces Squadron Pistol and Rifle Excellence in Competition match

  • Published
  • By Bryan Ripple
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – About 140 participants put eyes on targets and took their best shots down range during a Pistol and Rifle Excellence in Competition match hosted by the 88th Security Forces Squadron April 3-13 at the squadron’s combat arms range.

Participants included service members on active duty, members of the Guard and Reserve, retirees and civil service employees. Those with scores in the top 10 percent received a certificate and military members scoring in the top 10 percent earned the right to wear the EIC badge in accordance with AFI 36-2903.

During the first week of the event, pistol match participants competed using the Beretta M9 pistol and during the second week, the M16A2 was used during the rifle match.

Participants took aim at targets 25 yards down range from the firing line and fired a total of 30 rounds each during the pistol match and 60 rounds each during the rifle match under varying time limits.

The EIC provides people from across the base who don’t have the opportunity to use the firing range often a chance to hone their skills in firing a weapon.

“This is a little different course of fire than what you do for a home defense weapon course so it was interesting,” said Dennis Pearson, a safety technician with the 88th Air Base Wing Safety office, participating in his first EIC during the pistol match. Pearson, a retired chief master sergeant, said he appreciates the opportunity to participate in the EIC and learned about it from his supervisor who participated in a previous competition.

“This is just a really fun event and great re-familiarization,” said Air National Guard Lt. Col. Ellen Noble, a member of the 178th Wing in Springfield and also a civilian employee with the Air Force Research Laboratory. “Weapon qualification is rare for me, but who doesn’t want to be familiar and able to pick up a weapon and do what you need to do,” she said as she prepared for the rifle competition.

Some of the competitors also included those who fire weapons much more frequently as a hobby.

“I’m a big shooter – I shoot all the time at my house and I like to do long range and shoot past 1,000 yards,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Decker, an Air Force Reserve fire fighter with the 445th Civil Engineer Squadron for seven years. “This would be a great experience for those people who don’t shoot very often – you can continue to sharpen your skills during this event,” said Decker, who was also participating in the rifle competition.

During the EIC, participants received support from trained combat arms instructors who ensured safety protocols were followed and that all equipment worked according to specifications.

“I think this helps build morale. It’s an opportunity to let other organizations come out and shoot,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephan Herrington, NCOIC of the 88th SFS Combat Arms Range. “If you’re not a cop, you only get to fire every few years or whenever you deploy, so it gives people from other career fields a chance to come out and compete in a fun and safe environment. Sometimes we’ll see a supervisor come out and bring a couple work center staff members with them. I’ve also seen husbands and wives come out during their lunch break to participate since it only takes an hour. It’s a good time. You come out here to participate, have fun and there’s no pressure. If you don’t do well, it doesn’t mean anything.”

For more information about the EIC, contact Herrington at 937-257-2309.

EIC Top 10 Percent Pistol Competitors

1. Col. Jacek Brzezinski 256

2. Keith Hawkings 237

3. Ret. Master Sgt. Donald Ashby 210

4. Wallace Patterson 209

5. Staff Sgt. Trevor Johns 206

6. Maj. Matthew White 202

7. Staff Sgt. Korre, Schoffner 194

8. Staff Sgt. Alexander Leishman 189

9. Richard Graver 187

10. Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Lazamis 186

11. Ret. Master Sgt. Paul Garrett 183

12. Tech. Sgt. Daniel Thornton 167

 

EIC Top 10 Percent Rifle Competitors

 

1. Senior Airman Colton Kulikowski 468

2. Staff Sgt. Midnight Webber 450

3. Master Sgt. Joshua Starr 447

4. Staff Sgt. Alexander Leighman 442

5. Staff Sgt. Justin Quetel 435

6. Lt. Col. Bernard Willis II 431

7. Tech. Sgt. Daniel Thorton 429

8. Senior Airman Craig D’Angelo 427

9. Ret. Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Garrett 427

10. Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Lazamis 423

11. Adam Dolan 422

12. Charles Mangol 421

13. Maj. Matthew Clouse 421