US Soldiers, German clubs aim for top spot at marksmanship competition

ANSBACH, Germany (July 14, 2015) -- Mardy Manning, left, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach administrative assistant, and Master Sgt. Steven Wendt, first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, USAG Ansbach, aim and fire at their targets. In collaboration with the town of Herrieden, Germany, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosted an M16 rifle marksmanship competition at the garrison's Oberdachstetten Training Area July 10, 2015. The Herrieden Shoot, an annual event, is also known as the German-American Partnership Shoot and is an effort to promote positive community relations between USAG Ansbach and its local host nation partners. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs)

ANSBACH, Germany (July 14, 2015) — Mardy Manning, left, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach administrative assistant, and Master Sgt. Steven Wendt, first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, USAG Ansbach, aim and fire at their targets. In collaboration with the town of Herrieden, Germany, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosted an M16 rifle marksmanship competition at the garrison’s Oberdachstetten Training Area July 10, 2015. The Herrieden Shoot, an annual event, is also known as the German-American Partnership Shoot and is an effort to promote positive community relations between USAG Ansbach and its local host nation partners. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs)

[Editor’s note: This story was written with the assistance of Spc. Nick Redding, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs, and Bianca Sowders, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs.]

ANSBACH, Germany (July 14, 2015) – In collaboration with the town of Herrieden, Germany, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosted an M16 rifle marksmanship competition at the garrison’s Oberdachstetten Training Area Friday.

The Herrieden Shoot, an annual event, is also known as the German-American Partnership Shoot and is an effort to promote positive community relations between USAG Ansbach and its local host nation partners.

The shoot began more than three decades ago as a partnership shoot with the Bundeswehr (German army) unit out of Ellwangen at the shooting range in Herrieden. Since then, the shoot has moved to USAG Ansbach’s range, and the Bundeswehr unit at Ellwangen has since deactivated.

Participants in the event included German shooting clubs and the local German-American friendship club Outreach-KONTAKT Franken. American participants in the event included U.S. Soldiers, civilian employees, and Family members with USAG Ansbach; Soldiers from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade; and Soldiers with 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, who are currently stationed at Storck Barracks as a rotational unit.

ANSBACH, Germany (July 14, 2015) -- Col. Christopher M. Benson, left, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach commander, inspects his target with Sgt. 1st Class Robert Forsythe, right, equal employment adviser for USAG Ansbach. In collaboration with the town of Herrieden, Germany, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosted an M16 rifle marksmanship competition at the garrison's Oberdachstetten Training Area July 10, 2015. The Herrieden Shoot, an annual event, is also known as the German-American Partnership Shoot and is an effort to promote positive community relations between USAG Ansbach and its local host nation partners. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs)

ANSBACH, Germany (July 14, 2015) — Col. Christopher M. Benson, left, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach commander, inspects his target with Sgt. 1st Class Robert Forsythe, right, equal employment adviser for USAG Ansbach. In collaboration with the town of Herrieden, Germany, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosted an M16 rifle marksmanship competition at the garrison’s Oberdachstetten Training Area July 10, 2015. The Herrieden Shoot, an annual event, is also known as the German-American Partnership Shoot and is an effort to promote positive community relations between USAG Ansbach and its local host nation partners. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs)

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Forsythe, the equal opportunity adviser with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, USAG Ansbach, helped coordinate the HHD’s set-up and tear-down of the event and briefed the teams on range safety. He helped coordinate the event last year as well.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of us to get together and do something we all enjoy,” said Forsythe.

Ultimately, USAG Ansbach’s command team won the competition. They are scheduled to receive a traditional hand-painted wooden target at Herrieden’s upcoming Altstadtfest.

Top teams at the German-American Partnership Shoot and their scores:
1. Garrison Command Team: 413
2. Enforcers (E Company, 4th Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt.): 400
3. Regulators (HHC, 4th Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt.): 396
4. Winzerverein Tauberzell: 389
5. Phoenix (F Co., 2nd Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt.): 386 (15)*
6. Dustoff Shot Callers (C Co., 2nd Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt. (General Support)): 386 (14)*
7. Team Ost und West (Herrieden): 384
8. Demon (D Co., 4th Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt.): 381 (17)*
9. AST Executioners (USAG Ansbach): 381 (13)*
10. Next 125 I (Herrieden): 380

* In the event of a tie, the collective number of bullseyes determined the placement.

The top three shooters were:
1. Spc. Jonathan Rowland – Enforcers (E Co. 4th Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt.)
2. Spc. Christopher Gordon – Enforcers (E Co. 4th Bn., 3rd Aviation Regt.)
3. Sgt. 1st Class Robert Forsythe – USAG Ansbach


To read the story as it appears on the Army News Service, visit www.army.mil/article/152243.

To see more photos, visit Photo album: Herrieden Shoot 2015.

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