South Africa Military Skills Competition With war and conflict ever evolving in incredibly diverse locations and conditions, a strong grasp of basic soldiering skills such as accurate pistol and rifle shooting and the precise lobbing of hand grenades is essential. Military Skills Competition (MILCOMP) 2023 participants gathered on Thursday 14 September, to first battle it out on the South African Army Support Base Potchefstroom Dirkie Uys Shooting Range with pistol and rifle, and thereafter returned to Potchefstroom for the hand grenade throwing category.
Despite some challenging changes in wind direction during the pistol and rifle category shoots, the participants from South Africa, Botswana, Germany, Tanzania, and the United States of America gave every ounce of effort for maximum points. While the 5.56mm R4 rifle shooting took place from the prone position at the 200m mark, targets were engaged with the 9mm Z88 pistol some 25m away. Just as competitors were tested to their limits with the over-under-through challenges in the Water Obstacle Course, the pistol sub-category especially puts pressure on the individual’s skills for highest competition score. Expressions of delight, disappointment and even disbelief, were all manifest as opponents inspect each other’s targets while range officials tallied up points.
Returning to the Land Obstacle Course area after lunchtime, competitors took to co-located Grenade Throwing course, where they lobbed the practice version of the South African National Defence Force’s M26 fragmentation grenade at targets simulating trenches, foxholes, windows and doorways. Hand grenades are a hallmark of trench-clearing and urban warfare environments, as seen in conflicts stretching especially from the First World War to the present. This contest saw the frequent clang of practice grenade finding its mark on metal target frames and rims to the jubilant cheers of teammates and spectators. All the while, friendships continue to blossom during the event, with participants from around the world swapping keepsakes and mementos during moments of respite as the competition nears its end.
Military Skills Competition 2023 continues on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September with the Land Obstacle Course and 8km Combat Run respectively.
Credit: Captain J.J.P. de Vries, Directorate South Africa Army Reserve
Category: World-News
Tag: South Africa Military
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 9/18/2023 6:09:58 PM