Airmen showcase M9 skills during shooting competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A line of 17 Airmen stand Beretta M9 in hand, fingers on the trigger waiting for the word to fire. Each was thinking about winning the prize-the Excellent in Competition shooting badge.

Members from the 23rd Wing and 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing participated June 18, 21 and the 25 in a competition called the EIC shooting competition, which tests their skills with an M9 and proves their worth against fellow shooters.

"The reason for this competition is to promote marksmanship and shooting skills," said Master Sgt. Alex Chick, 820th Combat Operations Squadron NCO in-charge of combat arms. "This gives them a chance for a little friendly competition between the groups."

An EIC shooting competition can be held at any time but Airmen may only participate once a year. So for all the Airmen shooting it was the first time in 2011 they participated in the hopes of earning the badge

"When you earn the badge, you receive four points and a beginner's bronze badge," said Sergeant Chick. "After the member earns this badge they will gain points after each win and will eventually earn a gold badge, which only a few Airmen have earned."

To earn this badge, participants must place in the top 10 percent of all members who are in the competition.

"This year we had around 160 members in the competition which means the top 16 earned the badge," said Tech. Sgt. Russell Quattrocchi, 23rd Security Forces Squadron NCO in-charge of combat arms. "With a smaller group competing it means that fewer people can earn the badge which makes it a closer competition."

The competition consists of members standing 25 yards away and firing one handed, two handed and rapid fire. The shots are then scored based on where there shots are placed on the target.

For Sergeant Quattrocchi's this will be his first year in the competition.

"I have been teaching members how to shoot the M9 for 11 years now," said Sergeant Quattrocchi. "This was my first chance to see how I fare against my fellow members and instructors."

Security Forces Airmen weren't the only ones testing their skills on the range.

"The competition is not just for us we have people from all across Moody participating," said Sergeant Quattrocchi. "We had the 476th Fighter Group commander here, so that shows how diverse the group of shooters really is."

The 93rd AGOW may hold a rifle shooting competition later this year for any Moody members interested in trying their skills on another firearm.