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 NEWS
 Allied marksmen share expertise, compete for top prize By Sgt. Deanna Shelton, National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit
 CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark., - "You must train, train, train... Go to the range and shoot," said Master Sgt. Lance Espinosa, U.S. Army Reserve Shooting Team, while describing what it took to secure the victory of the top team award, the Lexington Green Trophy, during the 20th Annual Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting (AFSAM). The competition was hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center (NGMTC) here on Oct. 17-23. About 80 shooters from seven different countries traveled here to test their marksmanship skills in 14 different matches which included individual and team events. Teams competed in combat-related scenarios using pistol and rifle weapon systems. Espinosa spent three years on mobilization orders teaching mobilizing soldiers how to shoot. He said he places high value on the training he received at AFSAM, noting, "This is where I learned how to shoot." This year's participating teams included service members from the following countries: United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. The main purpose for their trip here - around the world for some - is to share with one another marksmanship experience, combat tactics and drills, and their different weapon systems. "Everyone's tactics are different," said Flight Sgt Tony Crowe of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, explaining that their main tactics are based largely upon good communication and consistent training. They bring both new shooters and seasoned shooters to the competition with the expectations of learning good combat shooting skills and, of course, bringing home the gold. Making a respectable showing this year was the All Guard Team - consisting of the cream of the crop from the National Guard units across the country. The team came in at second place in the overall team award, while coming in first in the Rapid Fire Engagement exercise and taking the Commander-In-Chief Pistol Trophy. "I was pretty excited to get invited to shoot All Guard this year, with the top shooters in the National Guard from around the country," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Honick of the All Guard Team and first-time AFSAM competitor. "This level of skill and competition is like none other here... just the melting pot of knowledge and shooting skills that these guys have from the All Guard team and from around the world, has helped me out a lot. "It really helped me to push my scores up and to feel more comfortable while I'm shooting." In addition to team matches, shooters independently competed in five different matches that challenged their marksmanship skills. Espinosa took the overall individual award, the Hager Hollon Trophy, with an overall score of 1031 -16. The command staff had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of all of the teams to evaluate how the competition and the training support each other, said Col. Karen D. Gattis, the NGMTC commander, who added whether or not a shooter goes home with a trophy or other award, the real prize is the training received at the competition. "There has always been a misconception that competition is just all fun and games, but really it's a training value to the units if used properly," she said. "We have the best, of the best, of the best marksmen who compete at this level, who are also the best trainers ... This competition validates their training."
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