Through the crosshairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Senior Airman Johnathan Byron, 28th Security Forces Squadron member, inspects components of his M-4 carbine before reassembly, Nov. 22. Airman Byron was the best shooter in the M9 pistol and M4 carbine combined category, Nov. 16 in the Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton)

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Through the crosshairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airmen from the 28th Security Forces Squadron who competed in the Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., stand for a picture with 28th SFS commander, Maj. Steven Ohlmeyer, Nov. 22. While the entire team earned second place within their category, Senior Airman Johnathan Byron, 28th SFS member (front row, left), brought home first place in the M4 pistol and M9 carbine combined shooter category. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton)

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Through the crosshairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Tech. Sgt. Joseph Wengler, 28th Security Forces Squadron flight chief, cleans his M-4 carbine, Nov. 22. Sergeant Wengler’s seven-member team, which competed in the Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., earned an overall second place in their category. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton)

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Through the crosshairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airmen from the 28th Security Forces Squadron, having competed in the Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., clean and inspect their weapons, Nov. 22. The team took second place against 10 other teams within their category. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton)

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Through the crosshairs: Ellsworth Airman wins at Global Strike Challenge

Published Nov. 23, 2010
By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- When Senior Airman Johnathan Byron left to compete in the Global Strike Challenge at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Nov. 13 through 16, he had no idea he would be coming home with top honors.

Airman Byron, a 28th Security Forces Squadron member, was presented the award for being the best shooter in the M9 pistol and M4 carbine combined category, Nov. 16.

"I couldn't stop smiling when I heard the announcement," Airman Byron said. "It was awesome. I never thought I would get first place."

He attributes his victory to the intense training he and his team underwent prior to the competition.

"We did a lot of live-fire training, as well as running and tactics training," he said. "At one point prior to leaving, we were practicing five days a week."

All of that practice paid off during the competition. Airman Byron scored the highest in his category out of 60 of the best security forces shooters from bomber and missile wings across the Air Force. Each of the other six members of the Ellsworth team who competed scored excellent ratings as well. Overall, the 28th SFS team took second place in the competition.

"While this is award primarily recognizes Airman Byron and the rest of the team, it also reflects great credit on the squadron as a whole," said Maj. Steven Ohlmeyer, 28th SFS commander. "Their ability to perform so well under pressure is an incredible skill."