Deadly precision: Malmstrom's nuclear advanced designated marksmen

by Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Editor's note: this is part three in a four-part series highlighting the Tactical Response Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

The mission of Malmstrom Air Force Base's Tactical Response Force nuclear advanced designated marksmen can be extremely stressful, demanding and in depth. In the words of two NADM snipers, it can also be one of the most rewarding careers a person could have.

To be prepared for any situation that may come up, the Airmen who are tasked with this mission train on a continuous basis. Almost every day of the week, a training session of some form is practiced and repeated until the nuances of what is needed to accomplish the mission effectively is engrained as muscle memory within these marksmen.

"We take our training seriously," said Staff Sgt. Richard Welty, 341st Security Forces Group TRF NADM. "When we are out in the field, we try to apply the skills we've learned in previous exercises and use them to accomplish the mission we have at hand while learning from our mistakes. Every time we go out we learn something new."

During an exercise at the Warrior Launch Facility at Malmstrom, two NADM snipers performed a two-hour "stalk" where they were tasked with a mission of positioning themselves within 350 meters of two simulated enemy targets and were required to call out an accurate kill shot.

During their "stalk," two highly trained TRF members performed "counter sniper" operations and attempted to spot the marksmen as they made their way to the specified range. Using equipment such as Steiner military 30x binoculars and a Leica Viper II laser range finder, accomplishing this task successfully is regarded as one of the most challenging exercises within the sniper community.

"I think our specific skill sets are very important," Welty said. "A lot of times we see things on the battlefield that no one else sees. We have the ability to move stealthily, either as a single unit or in a small two-man team. For us, teamwork is the key to success. In the field, we are a force multiplier and when you combine us with the defenses Malmstrom has in place, there's nothing we can't handle."

The first step TRF members take to becoming highly trained marksmen is undergoing a rigorous six-week training program at Camp Guernsey, Wyo. During the course, members are evaluated on weapons accuracy, camouflage, the ability to sustain themselves in a field environment and use of specialized spotting equipment. Only the top shooters and performers are selected to be certified while the rest are sent back to their home station.

Once back, two of the tools a TRF sniper team will utilize the most are ghillie suits and their rifles. Ghillie suits are custom made by the snipers who will be using them in the field. A ghillie suit closely resembles coveralls or a full-body suit with a thin fabric mesh on the outside wherein earth colored yarn and fabric are interwoven to serve as a three-dimensional camouflage. When a sniper is in the field, he or she will also pull foliage from the ground and stick it into the mesh to better blend into their specific surroundings.

For TRF snipers at Malmstrom, their specific weapon of choice is an M-24 rifle with a 10x power scope, which uses ammunition similar to what the .308 caliber hunting rifle uses.

"We use a variety of gear," said Senior Airman Isaac Lau, 341st SFG TRF NADM. "The type of gear we use can vary from mission to mission but the basics stay the same. Our job here on Malmstrom is very specific so the tools we have are catered to what we need. Everything comes into play when we are out in the field and having the tools we need to get the job done correctly helps us a lot."

In addition to these, a sniper's most valuable tool is his mind. According to TRF's marksmen, being able to keep calm and focused is essential to having an outcome in their favor.

"A lot goes into doing what we do," Lau said. "It's a challenge we take on every day to perform at our best. Sometimes it can be rough but the rewards far outweigh the negatives. I love doing what I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way."