Shooters vie to be ‘top gun’ at Apache Sports Range

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In a showcase of focus and accuracy, members of Team Holloman displayed their marksmanship in a shooting competition at the Apache Sports Range Oct. 15.

The competition was hosted by the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron and the 29th Attack Squadron, and they were joined by members of associate units to compete for the title of pistol champion, rifle champion, shotgun champion and 3-gun champion -- a combination of pistol, rifle and shotgun. Competitors shot at paper targets and were awarded points based on how accurately they hit the targets.

Winners of the competition were: Capt. Brian McCreary, 29th ATKS on temporary duty from Cannon AFB; Capt. Zebediah Krantz, 6th RS; Capt. Michael Lewis, 49th Operations Support Squadron and Maj. Richard Kattau, 16th Training Squadron.

Although a trophy was awarded to the winners of the different shooting categories, the competitors also gathered for other reasons.

"The primary focus was to get the squadrons out to have some fun and build morale," said Senior Airman Kent Smith, 6th RS sensor operator and organizer of the event. "The overall goal was to educate people on firearm safety, because it's something that more people need to be aware of."

Airman Smith added that another goal of the competition was to let people know what the Apache Sports Range has to offer.

"We offer skeet and trap shooting, we have sporting clays, rifle, pistol and archery ranges, and a paintball course," said Ted Brinegar, Outdoor Recreation director. "We're one of the only skeet and sporting clays ranges around. The next closest is at Ft. Bliss (in El Paso, Texas)."

Airman Smith also added that the sports range is an up-scale shooting range with equipment that most shooting ranges don't have, features nicely-furnished facilities and offers a variety of shooting sports activities.

The sports range's facilities are often under-utilized, said Mr. Brinegar, even though there are a variety of activities available.

Normal operating hours for the sports range is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, but the sports range is available for unit functions like the 6th RS and 29th ATKS's shooting competition anytime.

"We would like to do more functions like this because it gives units the opportunity to come out and have fun, but also educates people about fire-arm safety in a controlled environment," said Mr. Brinegar.

Mr. Brinegar encourages people who are not expert shooters to come out to the range to learn. Though the sports range does not offer lessons, there are plenty of people at the range who are willing to give a few pointers, he said.

Mr. Brinegar also said there is a program in the works where people could check out different weapons at the sports range, but for now patrons need to bring their own, he said.

For more information on the Apache Sports Range, contact their office at 575-572-7398.