MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Eight military shooting teams from across the western region competed in the 2009 Pacific Fleet Rifle and Pistol Matches May 3-8 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
The five-day event showcased each team’s skills from 200 to 500 yards with a rifle and 25 and 50 m.m. pistol in both individual and team shooting.
Throughout the week, each team participated in both single pistol and rifle from varying positions. The last two events were team pistol and rifle shoots.
Teams from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, MCAS Yuma’s Team, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s represented the Corps.
MCAS Miramar’s Shooting Team won first place in the team pistol matches and placed second place in the team rifle matches.
“We spend weeks practicing before we ever start competing,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Eric G. Brayman, the captain of the Miramar team. “We dedicate more time and basic marksmanship is instilled in us as a Corps compared to other services.”
Several Marines from Miramar’s Shooting Team received excellence in competition awards, which recognizes being in the top ten percent in a given event.
Which included Master Sgt. James Wegner, rifle shooter for the rifle team winning a silver medal in the individual rifle competition for the team, Cpl. Brad Hayes, a pistol shooter received a silver medal in the individual pistol competition and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jerry McDonough, pistol shooter won a bronze medal in the individual pistol.
Members of the team attribute their success to their coach, Sgt. Randy J. Sayers, the Miramar team coach, who tells the shooter what adjustments to make, before they shoot commented Brayman.
The team uses these matches to fine-tune their marksmanship skills for the upcoming Interservice Rifle Championships held at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., in July.
“Shooting together year round helps us understand how each other shoot,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chistopher A. Gehrki, a rifle shooter for the team.
Last year, the MCAS Miramar Shooting Team won the Infantry Team Trophy, during the IRC at MCB Quantico.
“We hope to have another good showing this year in Quantico, with the practice throughout the year,” said Brayman.
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