NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark., - Everyone's attention was either focused on the match that was in progress or the next competition ahead here at the 40th annual Winston P. Wilson (WPW) Sustainment Training Exercise held on Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Oct. 24-29.
Teams poured over last-minute strategies as they waited for the starting horn to begin the exercise, which could possibly bring them not only a win, but also a valuable tactic to use during battlefield combat.
Servicemembers from 44 states and U.S. territories made up the 91 teams that competed in the combat-related skilled matches that made up the WPW competition.
"I know this looks like just a competition, because it is a competition, but what they [servicemembers] are doing here as far as marksmanship and advance marksmanship, you can't get through just basic annual qualifications," said Army Capt. Adam Young, officer-in-charge of the matches.
He added that the competition takes marksmanship to a whole other level and really gives Soldiers and Airmen a greater chance of survival on the battlefield.
"Our trainers try to make sure that the competition is oriented towards war-fighting skills," said Army Col. Karen D. Gattis, commander of the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, which hosted the event.
Airmen and soldiers from as far as Guam came to test their marksmanship skills and to learn new combat tactics to take back to their units. They not only learned from the intense scenario of each match, but from other competitors that share their knowledge and skills as well.
Army Pvt. Juan B. Pocaigue of Guam's Bravo Team said he would suggest to his first sergeant to have more training similar to what he had experienced here at the matches.
"I'd really try to convince anyone to come because this is probably one of the best experiences I've had been in the military, even with being the lowest enlisted," he said. "Its good fun, good trigger time, and it's a good learning experience."
Army Master Sgt. Harry J. Troy. Range said training starts up to six months before the competition starts with courses that include range commands, pit operations, and simulated test matches to make sure everyone is trained and on the same level.
"Everyone working on these ranges has the experience and knowledge needed to make this competition run smoothly," he said. "Everyone gets something out of this competition.
"People come from all over [the country], either working or shooting, and you build relationships and learn new things every year."
The overall 2010 WPW Champion team was the Missouri Alpha Team, which included Master Sgt. Benjamin Israel, Staff Sgt. James Phelps, Sgt. Ryan Liggett, and Sgt. James Whitener. The Pennsylvania (Alpha) team came in second and Texas (Alpha) team was third.
Whether or not a shooter goes home with a trophy or another award, they'll be exposed to matches and scenarios that they're not going to get back at their normal annual weapon qualification, Gattis said during the awards ceremony.