An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 26, 2022

Army Guard, Air Force Compete in Marksmanship in Kenya

By 1st Lt. Janice Rintz, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center

CAMP SIMBA, Kenya – Fifty-two Army National Guard and U.S. Air Force members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa participated in a joint-force combined arms marksmanship competition July 20-25. 

Combat scenarios were simulated during the individual and team matches. Participants competed using multiple weapon systems, engaging in transitioning targets from different distances in various firing positions. 

“The event was modeled after the TAG (the adjutant general) match as well as the Winston P. Wilson National Match that is conducted at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center each year,” said U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chandler Potts, event organizer and platoon sergeant with 1st platoon, B Company, 1-116th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Red Dragon.

The Winston P. Wilson Championship is conducted annually at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, North Little Rock, Arkansas, and involves the rifle, pistol, machine gun, and combined arms disciplines. Service members test marksmanship skills and weapon systems in a battle-focused environment. 

The experience Potts gained from participating in the regional and national matches last year was instrumental in organizing and coordinating the Camp Simba, Kenya, competition.

Potts’ goal was for Soldiers and Airmen to gain experience shooting in large-scale combat environment matches like the WPW and have a unique training opportunity while serving in a joint-deployed environment.

The joint-force combined arms marksmanship competition consisted of three days of shooting in seven events.

The results:

Pistol 1st place: U.S. Army Sgt. Alexandra Griffeth with 299 points. 2nd place: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Bell, 291 points. 3rd place: U.S. Army Sgt. Jameson Kelly, 271 points.

Rifle 1st place: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Sukovich, 393 points. 2nd place: U.S. Army Spc. Jacob Friedman, 380 points. 3rd place: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Fulton, 375 points.

Team 1st place: Raptor A - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Fulton, Sgt. Matthew Dawson, Spc. Jacob Friedman, Spc. Jonathan Farrar. 2nd place: Ace Tomato Co. - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dino Vidal, Sgt. Luke Miller, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Sukovich, Staff Sgt. Colin Oppegard. 3rd place: STS - U.S. Air Force Capt. Jesse Stafford, Tech. Sgt. Cody Muchow, Senior Airman James Bell, Tech. Sgt. Lex Sierra.
 

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, deployed as Task Force Paxton, receive their combat patches during a ceremony at Camp Simba, Kenya, March 21, 2024. Officially called the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Military Operations in Hostile Conditions, eligible Soldiers are able to wear that insignia on their right shoulder for the rest of their Army career.
Deployed Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Earn Their Combat Patch
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell, | March 27, 2024
CAMP SIMBA, Kenya - Task Force Paxton’s command team, Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Barclay, led one of the most memorable moments of a Soldier’s career at a Camp Simba ceremony March 21.Known colloquially...

U.S. Army officer candidates pose for a photo before graduating from Officer Candidate School (OCS) Phase III at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 7, 2025. OCS Phase III is a culminating event hosted by 2nd Battalion, 205th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Washington National Guard, that tests officer candidates on their leadership and critical thinking abilities before commissioning as second lieutenants.
Army Guard Soldiers Graduate from Officer Candidate School
By Sgt. Abigail Clark, | Aug. 8, 2025
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Forty-seven officer candidates were pushed past their limits during Officer Candidate School, or OCS, Phase III 2025 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.From acquiring basic knowledge such as...

The Army National Guard’s 2025 National Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Maryland National Guard, is an annual event that unites Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers from seven regions across the United States. Competitors face a demanding series of physical and mental challenges designed to test their military expertise, resilience, and dedication to the Warrior Ethos for the opportunity to advance to Best Squad Competition.
Arizona, Utah Army Guard Members Win 2025 National Best Warrior Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Ames, | July 21, 2025
BALTIMORE – After five days of intense competition, Sgt. Michael Fouts and Sgt. Luke Cloward were named the Army National Guard’s 2025 Best Warriors in the Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer categories during a July 18...