Thirty sniper teams ran toward their equipment at the opening of the 18th annual International Sniper Competition on Oct. 15, 2018
Sniper teams from across the globe traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia to compete in the 2018 International Sniper Competition from Oct 14 - 16, 2018.
The purpose of this yearly competition is to identify the best sniper team from across a wide range of agencies and organizations, including the US military, international militaries, and local, state and federal law enforcement, the US Army said.
Teams must, according to the Army, complete "a gauntlet of rigorous physical, mental and endurance events that test the range of sniper skills that include, but are not limited to, long range marksmanship, observation, reconnaissance and reporting abilities, and abilities to move with stealth and concealment."
Snipers play a critical role in combat, with missions including "precision fires on enemy personnel and equipment, intelligence gathering, counter-sniper operations, infiltration and overwatch of [named areas of interest], occupation of and operations in support by fire positions, ballistic interdiction of IEDs, and disruption of enemy operations."
Source: US Army
"Working together in this venue is a great way for us to share ideas, build rapport and train our forces," Brig. Gen. David M. Hodne, the U.S. Army Infantry School commandant, said at the closing ceremony, "After all, the purpose of the International Sniper Competition is to improve our collective lethality."
Source: Fort Benning Public Affairs Office