12 May 2016
AASAM KICKS AT PUCKAPUNYAL
By Sgt. Terry Brady, Defense Media Activity VICTORIA, Australia




The Marine Corps Shooting Team joined more than 20 countries to participate in the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting 2016 at Puckapunyal in Victoria, Australia. The AASAM began with match 207, May 3, 2016 at the barracks’ moving target range.

The AASAM is an annual competition featuring military marksmen from various countries from across the world participating in a myriad of matches with different weapons systems. The competition encompasses current in-service, small arms systems, competed at individual and unit levels.

“The biggest difference is the size and scope,” said Capt. Jared Dalton, the MCST team captain and competitor at the event. “This is the entire pacific region and one of the largest international combat matches in the world. This year is the largest it has been in its 30-year existence.”

This will be the MCST’s third consecutive year competing in the AASAM.

“It’s been intermittent,” said Dalton. “The MCST has been competing 15 years on and off. We are trying to become more established and show up every single year to build the same thing we have in [Royal Marine Operational Shooting Competition] in England, which we’ve done for 30 consecutive years.”

During the initial match, each team had to fire down range at moving targets with their respective service’s service rifle from distances of 100, 75, 50 and 25 meters. The competitors had to run to each designated firing line and fire in various positions such as prone, kneeling and standing.

“I think we did outstanding representing the Marine Corps,” said Lucero. “This is what we live for.”

Throughout the competition, the MCST will be using weapons such as the M16A4 service rifle, the M40 Sniper rifle, the M9 service pistol, and other weapons systems.

“It allows us to fire weapons in situations not normal,” said Sgt. Martin Lucero, a competitor with the MCST. “The competition puts a little stress on us, and we see what the Marine Corps has taught us.”

The competition also gives the Marines an opportunity to interact with other nations’ forces and establish rapport with them, according to Dalton.

“This is an opportunity for us to meet other people and other nations that we don’t normally interact with,” said Dalton. “It allows us to ask the most important question of all, which is ‘How can we learn from each other?’

“If we can answer that question, our performance is secondary. This being my second year out here, one of the greatest feelings is walking past the squad bays and seeing Japanese, Singapore or Malaysian soldiers happy to see me again. We are trying to develop those lasting and meaningful relationships so that we all get better as allies.”

http://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisp...ckapunyal.aspx