ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - As a large storm system settled over West Yellowstone, Mont., so did many National Guardsmen.
These men and women were not sent here for natural disaster relief or to help stranded motorists.
The Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen from across the nation traveled to the small western town with another mission in mind: biathlon.
The National Guard Bureau-sponsored biathlon opened its 2010-11 on-snow season to novice members at the All Regions Snow Camp on Dec. 8.
Air and Army National Guardsmen and -women from across the nation came together at the world-class biathlon venue to train for the national-level competition and a possible shot at representing their states and nation internationally – quite possibly at the Winter Olympics – as a member of the National Guard's "All Guard" team.
"Basically, this is an open door training event for the purpose of presenting the sport of biathlon to the individual National Guard states," said Army Spc. Andy Wilkens, Colorado National Guard biathlon coordinator.
This training opportunity was open to men and women, experienced and novice athletes.
The event offered a greater number of Soldiers and Airmen the opportunity to participate in a practice biathlon and instruction generally only available to national-level athletes.
National-level coaches and experienced National Guard biathletes conducted the training and instruction at the camp.
The event covered everything from basic skiing techniques to competitive marksmanship. On the final day of the event, the training culminated with a fun but competitive practice race.
History lesson
According to National Guard Regulation 350-10, biathlon skills have played an important role in winter warfare and military defense since the Great Scandinavian War of 1700-18.
The combination of skiing and marksmanship practiced by the military has continued into the present era because of the training and fitness value the sport demands.
The first World Biathlon Championships were held in 1958 with a representative team of military personnel from Camp Hale, Colo. Two years later the modern form of the sport of biathlon was introduced into the Winter Olympic Games.
From 1958 to 1973, Fort Richardson, Alaska, was home to a biathlon training center for military athletes. In its final year under U.S. Army control, the military biathlon program was transferred to the Vermont National Guard.
In 1980, the U.S. played host to the biathlon at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., and again in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
"The National Guard Biathlon is one of four military competitions funded directly from the National Guard Bureau's Youth and Athletic Services office," said Maj. Andrew Parsons, National Guard Biathlon coordinator. "As coordinator, I receive and dispense these funds by paying travel and allowance costs for Airmen and Soldiers to attend and compete in biathlon competitions, both domestically and abroad."
The National Guard Biathlon has a long history of supporting and developing biathletes who, in turn, have been accepted into the World Class Athlete Program and competed in World Cup and Olympic biathlon events.
"The National Guard is, quite simply, the backbone of the sport of biathlon in the U.S." said Wilkens. "It takes an enormous amount of logistical support to facilitate an individual event – let alone an entire series or development program.
"The amount of core support that the National Guard Bureau provides in this country directly contributes to the combined success of military and civilian athletes in the Winter Olympic Games."
Shoot and move
The sport of biathlon is not as simple as grabbing a set of skis, your grandfather's World War I Enfield and looking for Bambi bedded down behind a large spruce.
The equipment has become so specialized that a competitor could spend thousands of dollars before ever hitting the snow – and the idea of wearing spandex in freezing temperatures may not be all that appealing, either.
The 22-match grade, standard model Anschutz 1827 biathlon rifle is fragile but accurate. Its straight-pull bolt is designed to speed reloading without the competitor removing the rifle from his or her shoulder.
The five metal, flip-up targets demand a competitor shoot with pin-point accuracy. A hit is easily identifiable by the shooter and spectators as the target flips from black to white – but from 50 meters away, through the rifle sites, the target appears to be the size of a dime.
"These rifles are much more susceptible to the environment than larger caliber rifles," said Wilkens. "Wind variations, light, humidity and the condition of the range itself can affect a shooter's performance."
A biathlete's mode of transportation during events is limited to Nordic-style skis and poles only. Each of the items has specific length and width requirements that make movement all the more difficult.
"Biathlons are so much more work than I ever dreamed going into the sport," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lauren Johnson, a California Air National Guard biathlete. "You must possess a level of fitness and dedication above the normal person. Be prepared to work harder than you expected."
Competition training
The goal of most biathletes is to compete at the highest level possible.
Wilkens had a taste of that competing on the All Guard team in two world championships and narrowly missing a spot on the 1998 Winter Olympic team. As Colorado's coach, he doesn't let that experience go to his head.
"There's no such thing as a cocky biathlete. One can generally predict the top finishers in a cross-country race, but in this sport, you can be on the second page in 10 to 20 seconds," he said.
In layman's terms, the element of shooting with an elevated heart rate and heavy breathing can cause the competitor to easily miss a target, potentially making the fastest skier into the slowest.
For every target missed, the competitor must complete a lap around a penalty loop or a time penalty will automatically be added to his or her finish time depending on the particular race format.
One penalty loop can typically cost the skier 20 to 30 seconds.
While biathlon is much about an individual competitor's ability, training as a team is vital to excelling in the sport.
"As a team we function as a unit. When the race clock starts, we're on our own till we cross the finish line," said Wilkins.
"I'm a naturally good runner … but during the off season there's nothing to do," said Colorado biathlete Capt. Robert Killian. "Biathlon makes for great winter training. ... It teaches advanced shooting skills that can't be obtained in any other environment. It takes a certain kind of person to get on some skis and shoot a rifle."
The All Regions Snow Camp was an opportunity for novice members to participate in a competitive training environment. It was also a way for the individual states to recruit for their teams.
Competitors must "work as a team to cross-train others in what they are weak at," said Killian.
Biathlon doesn't come naturally to all competitors. The physical conditioning, precision marksmanship and unique training sets it apart from other competitive individual events.
"It's intimidating coming out here in a male-dominated sport but the camaraderie here has been more than inspiring and helpful in developing the necessary skills to compete," said Johnson. "I'd like to continue to develop my skills and compete in the Western Regionals. My goal is to truly compete – not just show up."
Unique opportunity
Biathlon isn't for everyone, but for those willing to try, it can be a rewarding experience to join your state's team and make a difference in your ability to work as team or develop as an individual.
"It felt really good to participate in this event and hopefully show other women that they, too, can participate in this activity," said Johnson.
When asked what motivates him to compete, Wilkens joked, "the ludicrous challenge of running like an arctic hare and stopping to thread a frozen needle."
All joking aside, though, Wilkens said, "it's such a uniquely foreign and challenging combination that, at one time, everyone was a novice. Everybody had to start from scratch and success is measured in many degrees. Get out there and give it a try. The culture is extremely helpful to beginners. It may seem a bit overwhelming initially, but once you hear the sound of a falling metal target and feel the glide of fast skis, you'll be addicted."
Taking it to the next level
"The Chief of the National Guard Bureau Championship serves as the selection springboard for the 'All Guard' team, which offers greater training and support for the athletes who show excellence to compete at the international level," Wilkens said.
Professionalism, dedication, and willpower are the traits that are demanded from all biathletes.
"Regarding military value, there couldn't be a more natural training exercise demanding extreme physical fitness while simultaneously requiring precision marksmanship under mental and physical stress," Wilkens said.
"Most civilians who want to participate in this sport will look forward to purchasing thousands of dollars worth of equipment – many more if competitive aspirations require significant air travel. It's not easy to support those expenses while spending so many hours of your life training. It's a wonderful concept that, in the military, if you bring to the table a little talent and a lot of commitment, you'll be supported and trained well."
Events are held each winter in the east, central and western regions of the U.S. and the military competition concludes at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau races held during alternate years at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt., and Camp Riley in Little Falls, Minn.
"I'll definitely share the success stories of our team, stress the open door nature of our program and encourage others to give it a try," Wilkens said.