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From the time it takes you to read this sentence, the smoke would
have already cleared and more than 20 shell casings would be on the
ground from Lt. Casey Ryan's .40 caliber STI Eagle.
The
amazing part is how all 20 rounds he shot would have likely hit a
book sized target and he would have already ejected the old
magazine, loaded a new one and continued firing.
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U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Casey Ryan, 55th Security Forces Squadron
Officer-in-Charge of Logistics, fires at silhouette targets placed
inside a berm at the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club on September 28,
2016, in Louisville, Nebraska. Ryan is a member of the Air Force's
competition shooting team where he fires a combination of three
types of weapons. Ryan is also the Officer-in-Charge of the
Emergency Services Team (SWAT) for Offutt Air Force Base. (U.S. Air
Force photo by Joshua Plueger, 55th Wing Public Affairs)
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That is why this Defender is on the U. S. Air Force
Shooting Team.
“I shoot essentially two different
disciplines,” Ryan said. “The action pistol, which is
handgun only and I shoot a 3-Gun or ‘multi-gun' matches.”
During a “major match,” Ryan
can fire up to 500 rounds.
“A major match is one that
typically takes a full weekend to shoot,” Ryan said. “They
usually require travelling to, and shooters come from all
over the region or country to shoot it.”
The U. S.
Air Force Shooting Team is composed of approximately 90
competitors. Although specific numbers may vary from
year-to-year, depending on the demonstrated performance and
potential of applicants, each discipline will normally be
represented by approximately 10 competitors.
“I was
notified in September [2015] that I was selected to be on
the team,” Ryan said. “I average a dozen major tournaments
that I travel to per year. In Nebraska, there are not as
many local matches, so I have not been shooting many matches
on the weekends here.”
“I met [Lt. Ryan] when I went
to watch a U.S. Practical Shooting Association match last
fall,” said Tony Winton, 595th Strategic Communications
Squadron Strategic Automated Command and Control System
Maintenance chief. “Seeing the Air Force colors proudly
represented was awesome and caused my chest to swell in
pride. He represents the Air Force well.”
After
selection, team members remain assigned to their current
duty location and travel periodically to train for and
represent the Air Force in national-and international-level
competitions. The primary responsibility of the officers,
noncommissioned officers, and Airmen, selected as members of
the Air Force Shooting Team, is to their unit and its
mission. Being on the team is not just about shooting
targets though.
“I've used what I've learned through
my competitive shooting career to bring back skills,
techniques, and most importantly, the reason behind using
certain techniques to my own career as a security forces
officer and to Defenders in my unit,” Ryan said.
Getting selected for the team is the first of many
challenges, he added.
After the selection process,
there is classroom training, live-fire weapons training, and
head-to-head competitions to select the new shooting team
members. Even though the training camps are not mandatory,
they are highly encouraged.
“The dedication required
to compete at the level Lt Ryan does takes tremendous
self-discipline,” said Lt. Col. Ian Dinesen, 55th Security
Forces Squadron commander. “With all the responsibilities he
holds in his normal Air Force job, Lt. Ryan has already
mastered the balance required to do his duties, participate
in the shooting team activities all over the country, and
continue to spend time doing other off-duty functions,
volunteerism and self-development such as education and
training.”
“He is well on his way to a truly
exceptional career,” Dinesen added.
A team captain
for each respective discipline will conduct training camps
as needed. A training camp, if conducted, will normally
include three to four days of coaching and practice followed
by scored, shoulder-to-shoulder competition.
“Action
shooting is one of the most extreme tests of marksmanship,”
Ryan said. “It is often used as the testing ground for new
technology and techniques that eventually make their way
into standard equipment and doctrine for the military and
police, and eventually the civilian sector.”
Keep in
mind that in all cases, the Air Force mission comes first
and foremost.
“The Air Force Shooting Team is not a
full time position,” Ryan said. “Members are authorized up
to 30 days per year of permissive TDY to shoot in an
official Air Force Shooting Team capacity.”
Through
public contact and association developed during
competitions, Air Force shooters play a direct and important
role in enhancing the image of the Air Force both at home
and abroad. Periodically, Air Force Shooting Team members
will be asked to conduct clinics at local clubs, high
schools, academies, colleges, and universities.
“I'm
thankful that my commander has been supportive,” Ryan said.
“He understands that representing the Air Force is a big
honor for me. Not to mention, he's not a bad shot himself.”
“Lt Ryan is quite simply a phenomenal officer and a
great leader,” Dinesen said. “He sets a wonderful example to
my entire organization through his professionalism,
dedication to his craft, and all-around excellence in all he
does.”
Those interested in joining the Air Force
Shooting Team need to understand members normally provide
their own equipment, ammunition, and weapons; however, a
limited quantity is maintained and made available for use by
shooting team members. The Air Force may provide a
reasonable amount of ammunition, entry fees, travel, and per
diem for approximately 45 competitors to train for and
compete in six to eight major competitions per year,
culminating in Air Force team tryouts, National
Championships, CISM, Pan American, and the Olympics.
Training is accomplished primarily during off-duty time. The
shooting season normally spans from February through August
time frame. Most competitions are conducted on weekends,
which minimizes the time away from primary duties.
Individuals applying for selection to the Air Force Shooting
Team for the first time, or for lapses in team membership,
will submit an AF Form 303, Request for USAF Specialized
Sports Training. Selections will be based on documented
performance as contained in the AF Form 303. Individual
potential will also be considered in the final team
selections.
AF Form 303 may be obtained from the base
fitness center and submitted in accordance with AFI 34-207.
A detailed summary of previous competition results must
be included with the request, match bulletins or official
association (NRA/NSSA) averages/standings will be accepted
as the only source for scores.
The AF Form 303 will
be forwarded by the base fitness center to AFPC/SVPAF, 2261
Hughes Avenue, Suite 156 Lackland AFB TX 78236-9852.
Team selections will normally be made and individuals
notified of their selection or non-selection during the
month of December or after the training camp (if held).
By U.S. Air Force David Hopper
55th Wing Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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