Our shooting stars

Proudly displaying the Simpson Trophy are 1AFDS shooting team members, from left, Aircraftmen Adam Martyn, Chris Smith, Craig Kennewell and Lachlan Strain.

By LACW Simone Liebelt

NO. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron hit the bullseye by beating their Army counterparts to take top honours at the Simpson Trophy rifle competition in Adelaide.

The annual shooting match originated in 1890, when Adelaide politician and keen rifleman Alfred Simpson donated a custom made trophy and set up a fund to support the local military competition.

Two four-man teams of permanent and reserve Airfield Defence Guards from 1AFDS at RAAF Base Edinburgh placed first and third against nine other local Army units, including 16 Air Defence Regiment and 10/27 Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment.

The one-day competition, held at the Murray Bridge Range Training Area on February 29, comprised nine serials of F88 Austeyr Applied Marksmanship Practice firing at static and moving targets ranging from 100 to 300 metres away, using the standard LF18B scoring system.

Competitors were required to engage their targets from a variety of positions using deliberate, rapid and snap firing techniques. The snap practices involved target exposures of only three seconds, requiring quick and accurate shots.

Windy conditions on the range made results unpredictable and scores were not revealed until the winners were announced after the shoot.

Marking the 114th year of the competition, Richard Simpson, great grandson of founder Alfred Simpson, presented the heritage trophy to the Air Force team.

1AFDS competitor Flight Lieutenant Daniel Cook said it was a great feeling to win, especially because of the fierce rivalry between Army and Air Force.

“As we were the only Air Force unit competing, I think we would have borne the brunt of a number of jokes if we hadn’t have performed so well,” FLTLT Cook said.

“It was great for the unit to win as it not only comes back to the rivalries but also a pride in doing your job well. I don’t think many people outside of the Air Force understand what we do and what our core competencies are – shooting is a vital part of our job.

“Every Airfield Defence Guard and Ground Defence Officer conducts live firing practices many times each year so it’s our business to be the best shooters in the Air Force, if not the ADF.”

Of the 41 competitors, 1AFDS member Corporal Richard Turnley achieved the second-highest overall individual score, qualifying as a first class shot.

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