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Texas Military Forces Top Gun 2004
US Army Small Arms Championship

Winning Texas Team with awards:
L-R SSG Stehling, MAJ Kean, SSG Blackwell, CW3 Tanner and SSG Stone

Texas Military Forces (TMF) dominated the 2004 US Army Small Arms Championships held at Ft Benning, GA recently. The team consisted of MAJ Tim Kean, JFHQ; CW3 Richard Tanner, JFHQ; SSG Charles W. Blackwell, JFHQ; SSG Jeff Stehling CO A, 249th MSB and SSG Russell Stone, HQ, 3/144 INF.

The US Army Small Arms Championship consists of best marksmen from the active component, national guard, reserves and ROTC who compete shoulder to shoulder for the honor of determing who the top gun is for individual and team.

SSG Charles W. Blackwell clearly outgunned his competition by winning five out of the seven matches shot in this year's competition. His combined scores made him over all high marksman in the field of 132 competitors. This is his second national championship. His previous one was in 1994 at Camp Robinson, AR. He was presented a M1 Garand rifle for his superior marksmanship achievement.

SSG Blackwell being presented M1 Garand Rifle for being high over all in 2004 US Army Small Arms Championship

MAJ Kean shooting M9 pistol during the Excellence In Competition Pistol Match

MAJ Tim Kean fired extremely well by placing second over all in the competition. In addition, SSG Stehling placed fifth over all, CW3 Tanner placed tenth over all. SSG Stone placed 6th over all in the Novice category. These performances are worthy of praise and emulation.

In the drawing for a Glock pistol MAJ Kean's name was drawn and he was presented a Glock 45 by Glock Industries.

In team competition, Texas placed first in the pistol team competition and 3rd in rifle team competition. The combined score of the two events placed Texas first over all in team competition. The Texas was presented Bowie knives by Glock Pistol for their superb pistol performance.

Finally, SSG Stehling earned 8 points toward his Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge and CW3 Tanner earned 6 points toward his Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge in the Excellence In Pistol Match Competition.

TX Team Standing: L-R SSG Stehling, SSG Stone, MAJ Kean, Kneeling: SSG Blackwell and CW3 Tanner

Texas has a tradition of superior marksmen. The matches this year demonstrate that this skill is still very much alive and thriving in the TMF.

SSSG Blackwell carrying Texas flag down range at Mc Andrews Rifle Range,
Ft Benning, GA. Service Rifle Chamipion US Army 2004.

SSG Stehling shoots the 200 Yard Standing Stage Rifle Match
with SSG Blackwell looking on

CW3 Tanner firing pistol during the Excellence in Competition Pistol Match

SSG Stehling shoots the Sitting Rapid Fire 200 Yard while SSG Blackwell views through the scope.

SSG Blackwell firing winning score in pistol competiton

L-R SSG Stehling, MAJ Kean and CW3 Tanner on first day of rifle shooting
McAndrews Rifle Range, Ft Bennng, GA