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4th SFS hosts EIC pistol match

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sabrina Fuller
  • 4th Fighter Wing

The 4th Security Forces Squadron combat arms training and maintenance section hosted an excellence-in-competition pistol match at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Nov. 18, 2022.

The 4th SFS invited local law enforcement agencies, local civic leaders and service members to compete in the EIC event.

“The excellence-in-competition event is an opportunity for us to engage with our local community and strengthen our relationship with them outside of a work setting,” said 1st Lt. Kasey Stavig, 4th SFS logistics and readiness section officer. “The EIC embraces camaraderie and heritage, and gives people the opportunity to come out and step outside of their comfort zone or just to have fun.”

The EIC pistol match was a DoD shooting competition, which encouraged service members from different career fields to showcase and enhance their skills with the M-9 pistol.

“No matter if you are a medical or maintenance Airman, it is important to know and have experience firing a weapon,” said Stavig. “I believe building connections with others is important and learning something new, like how to fire a pistol, can make you a more successful Airman.”

The EIC pistol match tested participants on their handling of an M-9 pistol, their response time and the efficiency of their shots when firing at 25-yard targets. The times allotted for each contestant to shoot ranged from four seconds to two and a half minutes.

“I think the training is the most important aspect of the competition,” said Timothy Spell, New Hanover County Police office deputy sheriff. “It's important to build relationships that can help improve our training, while also being able to compete among other people.”

The match allowed individuals to compete for points toward an EIC badge, which only the top 10 percent of EIC shooters were eligible for.

“Small arms training is important because it helps people know how to defend themselves,” said Senior Airman Hannah Gardner, 4th SFS CATM instructor. “We teach basic operations, maintenance and provide the right fundamentals so that Airmen can remain proficient with weapon systems.”

The top four individuals were Chief Master Sgt. Peter Martinez, 4th Fighter Wing command chief, Airman Alexander Wright, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron and Officer Timothy Spell, from New Hanover County Police Department, Officer Stephan Bostic, from Goldsboro Police Department.