North Dakota Guard Members Excel at Regional Marksmanship Match
BISMARCK, N.D. — Members of the North Dakota National Guard marksmanship teams excelled for the eighth consecutive year at the recent Marksmanship Advisory Council Region VI (MAC VI) championship at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., July 26 to July 28. The key elements of this competition are designed to improve battle-focused marksmanship and validate sharpshooter skills essential to individual readiness.
Nearly 80 Guard members participated from Alaska, Arkansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Wyoming and North Dakota. The North Dakota Guard was represented by thirteen Soldiers and Airmen.
“I am extremely proud of these great Soldiers and Airmen from our organization and their achievements at these extremely competitive matches against some of the best shooters in the National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard. “Good marksmanship is an extremely important military skill that directly supports our ability to perform effectively on the battlefield and accomplish our war-time missions.”
The North Dakota National Guard sent three teams consisting of four members each and one individual marksman, Staff Sgt. Jason Dittus, 164th Engineer Battalion who earned third place in Rifle Excellence in Competition match. North Dakota Guard members Lt. Col Ben Cleghorn, Camp Grafton Training Center, and Master Sgt. Stacey Lockwood, 119th Wing, served as support staff for the competition.
“I was honored to have the opportunity to compete with great National Guard marksmen from all over region six,” said 1st Sgt. Joey Wesson, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, a member of North Dakota National Guard Team Charlie. “Participating in these types of competitive matches help our non-commissioned officers become better weapon-skills trainers within their units.”
The North Dakota National Guard Alpha team swept the team awards. Alpha team was comprised of Staff Sgt. Cody Dewandeler; Staff Sgt. Daniel Wieland; Sgt. Tyler Goldade; and Senior Airman Gavin Rook.
Bravo team members include: Capt. Blake Hillerson, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Sgt. 1st Class Josh Haugen, 164th Regional Training Institute; Staff Sgt. Tyrel Hoppe, 119th Wing; and Sgt. Josh Bucklin, 815th Engineer Company.
Charlie team members: 1st Sgt. Joe Wesson; 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment; and Senior Master Sgt. Brian Rook, Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson and Staff Sgt. Matt Jasper, all members of the 119th Wing.
In the open class category, which consists of nine events with only the top three places in each event earning mention, North Dakota marksmen claimed 21 of the 27 positions. The open class is comprised of shooters that have previously participated in MAC VI competition.
“It is my honor to be associated with these great North Dakota marksmen,” said Swenson. “It has been a long year practicing and traveling in order to be ready to compete at the high-level competition that the MAC VI offers. Our continued success is a direct correlation to the support we receive from our state at every level. We would not be this competitive without that support.”
First-time MAC VI shooter, Staff Sgt. Dan Wieland, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, placed in the top three in four of the nine novice awards.
Additional highlights for team North Dakota include:
Combat Pistol Team Aggregate and Combined Arms Team Pistol Champion.
North Dakota National Guard’s Alpha Team: Staff Sgt. Cody Dewandeler, 119th Wing; Staff Sgt. Daniel Wieland, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment; Sgt. Tyler Goldade, 815th Engineer Company; and Senior Airman Gavin Rook, 119th Wing.
Combined Arms Individual Aggregate and Combined Arms Individual Rifle Champion:
Sgt. Tyler Goldade.
Combat Pistol individual Aggregate Champion:
Senior Airman Gavin Rook.
North Dakota marksmen have won eight straight regional MAC VI competitions. The next round of expected matches is the All-Army competition at Fort Benning, Ga. early next year.
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The North Dakota National Guard is a trained and highly motivated force of about 4,000 Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen. We are always prepared to provide ready units, individuals and equipment in support of our communities, state and nation. Always ready, always there.
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Summary of North Dakota National Guard Results
2019 Marksmanship Advisory Council Region 6 (MAC VI) July 26 – 28, 2019
Team Match Results
RUNDOWN
North Dakota Team Alpha – 1st Place
GENERAL GEORGE PATTON
North Dakota Team Alpha – 1st Place
North Dakota Team Charlie – 3rd Place:
COVERING FIRE: pistol
North Dakota Team Alpha – 1st Place
North Dakota Team Bravo – 1st Place
OVERALL TEAM AWARD
North Dakota Team Alpha – 1st Place (8th consecutive MAC VI title)
North Dakota Team Bravo – 6th Place
Individual Match Results
SPECIAL ZERO
Staff Sgt. Cody DeWandeler – 1st Place
Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson – 2nd Place
CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 1st Place
Staff Sgt. Dan Wieland – 1st Place-Novice (First time competitor at MAC VI level)
REFLEXIVE FIRE
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 1st Place
Staff Sgt. Dan Wieland – 2nd Place and 1st Place-Novice
Senior Master Sgt. Brian Rook – 3rd Place
COMBAT PISTOL
Senior Airman Gavin Rook – 1st Place
Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson – 2nd Place
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 3rd Place
Staff Sgt. Daniel Wieland – 3rd Place-Novice
RIFLE – Excellence in Competition
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 1st Place
Staff Sgt. Jason Dittus – 3rd Place
PISTOL – Excellence in Competition
Senior Airman Gavin Rook – 1st Place
TOP PISTOL AGGREGATE
Senior Airman Gavin Rook – 1st Place
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 2nd Place
Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson – 3rd Place
TOP RIFLE AGGREGATE
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 1st Place
Senior Airman Gavin Rook – 2nd Place
Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson – 3rd Place
OVERALL AGGREGATE
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 1st Place
Senior Airman Gavin Rook – 2nd Place
Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson – 3rd Place
TOP 20 FINISHERS
Sgt. Tyler Goldade – 1st Place
Senior Airman Gavin Rook – 2nd Place
Senior Master Sgt. Wade Swenson – 3rd Place
Staff Sgt. Cody Dewandeler – 5th Place
Staff Sgt. Matt Jasper – 9th Place
Senior Master Sgt. Brian Rook – 13th Place
Staff Sgt. Tyrel Hoppe – 16th Place
1st Sgt. Joe Wesson – 20th Place