Airmen take top honors in state combat match

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Crane
  • 139th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing took top honors in the Missouri National Guard Adjutant General's Combat Matches March 14-16, 2014 here at Camp Crowder.

Three teams from the Wing competed in the match: Two teams made up of Airmen from the 139th Maintenance Group and one team with Airmen from the 180th Airlift Squadron and 139th Security Forces Squadron.

They competed against some 34 other teams. One team consisted of Master Sgt. Ben Israel and Airman 1st Class James Williams, both from the 139th Security Forces Squadron, and Lt. Col. Ron Douglas and Capt. Mark Hanna, from the 180th Airlift Squadron.

Their team took 1st place in the Patton Match. This match starts with a 300 meter dash followed by shooting at distances of 30, 25, and 20 yards. The team is required to shoot 204 pistol rounds at six targets.

"This was the biggest turn out yet," said Israel who also said about 140 soldiers and airmen competed this year. Israel also placed 2nd overall thus joining the Governor's Twelve and securing a spot in the regional combat match. He also took 1st place in the rifle competition.

Tech. Sgt. Rodd Boyer, who placed 5th overall, also made the Governor's Twelve and will join Israel at regionals.

For some of the Airmen, it was their first time competing.

"It was a blast," said Williams. "I would do it again."

Hanna was also new to the competition and he placed.

Two teams from the 139th Maintenance Group also competed. Team A was Master Sgt. Eric Tracey, Tech. Sgts. Rodd Boyer and Jason Neiswander, and Senior Airman Douglas Webb. Team B was Master Sgts. Ryan Proffit and Rodney Ray, and Airman 1st Class Tanner Johnson.

Airmen from the Wing took top honors in the following categories.

Individual novice: Capt. Mark Hanna (3rd place)

Individual open overall (rifle/pistol); These Airmen made the Governors 20 and the top two made the Governors 12 and will advance on to Regionals:
Master Sgt. Ben Israel (2nd), Tech. Sgt. Rodd Boyer (5th), Tech. Sgt. Jason Neiswander (14th), Master Sgt. Rodney Ray

Individual Rifle: Master Sgt. Ben Israel (3rd)

Team Pistol aggregate: 139th SFS (1st) - LTC Douglas, CPT Hanna, MSgt Israel, A1C Williams

Aggregate Team: 139th SFS (2nd) - LTC Douglas, CPT Hanna, MSgt Israel, A1C Williams

Team PATTON Match (most prestigious of the matches): 139th SFS (1st) - LTC Douglas, CPT Hanna, MSgt Israel, A1C Williams

Other notable matches:
Cpt Hanna, Mark 180th 3rd in the Pistol EIC , 19th iMatch 303
MSgt Israel, Ben SFS 6th in the Pistol EIC, 6th Match 305, 10th Match 306, 1st Match 321
TSgt Boyer, Rodd MXS 11th in the Pistol EIC, 2nd Match 303, 19th Match 305, 13th Match 306
LtC Douglas, Ron OPS 19th in the Pistol EIC,
TSgt Neiswander Jason MXS 1st in Match 303, 16th Match 306
A1C Williams, James SFS 12th Match 305,
MSgt Tracy, Eric MXS 18th Match 305,
MSgt Ray, Rodney MXS 20th Match 306