Story by Steve Morningstar
United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
FORT LIBERTY, N.C. — The U.S. Army’s 3rd Special Forces Group claimed the top prize at the 15th annual U.S. Army Special Operations Command International Best Sniper Competition, held at Fort Liberty from March 18-22. The event, hosted by the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, featured 20 sniper teams from seven countries, testing their precision and teamwork in a rigorous 23-stage contest designed to simulate real combat scenarios.
The competition, attended by sniper teams from various U.S. Special Forces groups, the 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Command, and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with international teams from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, showcased elite snipers performing tasks that mirror actual ground combat conditions. The stages were crafted by instructors from the Special Forces Sniper Course, emphasizing the integration of long-range marksmanship skills with tactical team coordination.
The event also served as a live demonstration for cadets from the Virginia Tech Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, providing them a glimpse into the world of special operations. According to Cadet Brindle of Virginia Tech, the competition was an invaluable opportunity to observe and learn from some of the world’s most proficient SOF snipers.
Sgt. 1st Class Lin from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) highlighted the practical and realistic aspects of the competition, noting that the challenges were directly applicable to real-world military operations and required both individual expertise and effective team collaboration.
The 3rd Special Forces Group was followed by a French sniper team and the 10th Special Forces Group, which secured second and third places respectively. The competition not only provided a platform for these elite snipers to hone their skills but also fostered international camaraderie and shared tactical knowledge.
The Special Warfare Center and School is set to continue its series of competitive events with the Best Combat Diver Competition, scheduled to take place at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, Florida, in June.
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