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615th CRW snipers participate in joint competition

  • Published
  • By Capt. Paradon Silpasornprasit
  • 615th Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A two-man security forces team assigned to the 615th Contingency Response Wing recently took part in a week-long interservice sniper competition hosted by the Army National Guard at Fort Chaffee, Ark.

The event, which is in it's second year, is held to inspire camaraderie among military sniper professionals. Fifteen teams comprised of a spotter and shooter participated in the competition.

This was the first such competition for security forces members Staff Sgt. John Patnaude, 570th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron, and Senior Amn Michael Blake, 572nd Global Mobility Readiness Squadron. They represent a unique and elite segment of their career field as members of a sniper unit employed by the 615th CRW.  The sniper unit is made up of Air Force security forces professionals who stand ready to respond to any threat, anywhere in the world.

"The sniper program is relatively new to the Air Force, so it's a way for us to validate our program, take a good hard look at our progress and what areas we need to improve on," said Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, 571st GMRS operations flight chief. "The whole purpose of this competition is to go out and compete while exchanging tactics and learning from the other services."

Events included 200-yard, 300-yard, moving target and night fire challenges. During the night fire simulation, Sergeant Patnaude and Airman Blake had an opportunity to use night vision equipment lent to them by another service team so they could have take advantage of the full experience.

"It's one huge community no matter what service you work for," Sergeant Patnaude said. He said the event was an opportunity for snipers from all branches to talk shop, discuss training, and share downrange experiences.

One of the most unique aspects of the competition was the aerial platform shoot - a challenge that involved shooting from inside a Chinook helicopter. Sergeant Patnaude and Airman Blake were harnessed into the helicopter while in the prone position. Using a 50-caliber sniper rifle, the team was required to fire out the lowered ramp of the aircraft, aiming at vehicle-sized targets 500 meters away from a distance of 200 meters off the ground.

"This was definitely an awesome training opportunity for these young defenders," Sergeant Bickley said.