U.S. Air Pressure Pistol Group: A Hardball Odyssey

A member of the Air Pressure Pistol Marksmanship Group within the late Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, Dr. Robert “Doc” Engelmeier of Pittsburgh, Pa., documented his excursions, together with on the Nationwide Matches. Learn an excerpt from Dr. Engelmeier’s memoire under. (Article by way of CMP.)

A Hardball Odyssey

By Dr. Robert “Doc” Engelmeier

The aim of this brief commentary is to report what was maybe probably the most memorable chapter of my Air Pressure profession. I used to be lucky to have obtained my superior prosthodontic coaching at Wilford Corridor USAF Medical Heart in San Antonio, Texas, which arguably was and nonetheless is the strongest prosthodontic program within the nation. That residency was adopted by an Air Pressure-sponsored fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics at MD Anderson Most cancers Heart in Houston—the biggest most cancers remedy heart on this planet. I used to be the final Air Pressure-sponsored individual to coach there earlier than the Air Pressure launched its personal maxillofacial program.

For the rest of my Air Pressure profession, fortune favored me with responsibility assignments the place I may use my coaching to rehabilitate maxillofacial prosthodontic and prosthetic sufferers. Nonetheless, past my skilled profession—which has completely outlined me—the Air Pressure additionally afforded me a novel alternative, unrelated to dentistry, that offered me with a few of my finest navy associates and reminiscences.

That chance was my nine-year tenure as a member of the U.S. Air Pressure Nationwide Pistol Group.

BEGINNINGS

In the summertime of 1987, after coming back from an appointment at David Grant USAF Hospital, my spouse introduced me with a considerably worn “ready room” copy of Airman journal, which featured an article saying the resurrection of an Air Pressure taking pictures program to exchange the previous legendary groups terminated greater than a decade earlier because of extreme defunding.

The brand new program could be meagerly funded as an MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) exercise, corresponding to different minimally funded Air Pressure sports activities applications. Opponents have been anticipated to supply their very own firearms and ammunition and to coach throughout their private off-duty time. Some restricted funds have been obtainable for group members to journey to vital occasions because the Nationwide, Interservice and Olympic matches. The article additionally introduced a seek for service members to use for an invite to the upcoming choice camp the place the approaching yr’s group could be chosen.

Although I had competed intermittently at native golf equipment all through most of my grownup life, I by no means believed that I used to be as much as the duty of competing at a nationwide degree. Nonetheless, after studying the article and appreciable urging by my spouse, I known as the MWR workplace at Randolph Air Pressure Base the subsequent day. I managed to wrangle an invite to the upcoming tryouts, however I humbly admit that their gracious invitation was actually primarily based on my rank of Colonel, reasonably than any private taking pictures accomplishments.

On the time, all group members and tryout opponents have been enlisted personnel serving as instructors. That yr’s weeklong camp was carried out at Lackland Air Pressure Base in San Antonio, Texas. The intention of the camp was to determine a 10-person group for the approaching yr (a five-member main group and a five-member developmental group). Of the 20-odd contenders who reported to the camp, practically half had been on the earlier yr’s group and had just lately returned from Camp Perry.

Evidently, my solely objective was to not embarrass myself.

A lot to my shock, after finishing the choice course of, I certified. I completed in sixth place—the highest scorer on the second-string group.

That 1987 coaching camp was carried out by the group’s coach, Ralph Talbot, a retired member of the U.S. Military Nationwide Capturing Group and holder of a number of nationwide information. After observing my potential on the Nationwide Match Course, firing my private hardball gun, the coach requested me to finish it once more utilizing his ball gun. My groupings instantly improved. Apparently, my gun had “shot unfastened” through the years.

Consequently, he approved me to be issued an AFPG ball gun for the 1988 season, whereas the Lackland Air Pressure Base gunsmith store rebuilt my private ball gun to a degree of precision appropriate for nationwide competitors. I had acquired my gun from Paul Mazerov, a lifelong good friend who had taught me the way to shoot.

A embellished Korean Battle fight Marine, Paul was a retired Colonel and one of many prime movers in my life. That Nationwide Match gun was initially constructed for him by USMC gunsmiths at Quantico twenty years earlier. It was stamped together with his service quantity, and remains to be one in all my most prized possessions.

I competed with Paul’s group within the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Police Revolver League throughout my remaining two years of Dental Faculty. In 1987, I situated what would turn out to be my “Magic Ball Gun” at a pawn store in Reno, Nev. It was comprised of a wonderful Colt M-1911A1 receiver and a mint Union Change and Sign slide. After eradicating that uncommon slide, I gave the pistol to the Gunsmith Store at Lackland AFB to construct me a premium-grade gun.

Grasp Gunsmith Invoice Moore changed all of the partsm besides the unique receiver with rigorously fitted Nationwide Match elements. Upon completion, he stamped the gun with “AFPG” and his “XX” mark. The AFPG weapons that have been issued to the unique Air Pressure group members needed to be returned when that member left the group or retired. The latter-day group members already owned their weapons and so didn’t must return them upon leaving the group, regardless of any accuracy efforts invested in them by the Air Pressure Gunsmith Store.

Consequently, I nonetheless have my “Magic Hardball Gun.” I competed with it from the 1989 season till I retired from the Air Pressure. This pistol was accountable for all my vital accomplishments with the group.

U.S. AIR FORCE SHOOTING TEAM HISTORY

Kimpo Air Pressure Base in South Korea served as a significant evacuation web site for Seoul stationed diplomats in 1950 when the Korean battle started. It was overrun by communists on September 15, 1950, however was reoccupied two days later. It fell once more on January 4, 1951, however retaken a month later for the ultimate time.

Whereas viewing the devastation of the unique September invasion, Gen. Curtis LeMay was appalled as he surveyed all of the useless airmen who had perished defending their base. They died hopelessly clutching their .30-cal. M-2 Carbines whereas futilely attempting to reload them with M-1911 .45 Auto magazines.

At that second, he vowed to coach all airmen to a degree of proficiency with their issued firearms so {that a} travesty like that would by no means occur once more.

As soon as he had been appointed Vice Chief of Workers of the U.S. Air Pressure, LeMay was lastly able to meet his vow of marksmanship coaching for all Air Pressure members. In 1959, he appointed Col. Thomas Kelly to ascertain a marksmanship college for the aim of creating grasp gunsmiths and marksmanship instructors who would give attention to coaching air crews and safety forces.

The college was additionally commissioned to develop and subject nationwide and world-class aggressive groups in smallbore and excessive energy rifle, lure and skeet shotgun, nationwide and worldwide pistol and working boar tournaments. The college’s coaching program for small arms instructors was 12 weeks in length. That marked the origin of the U.S. Air Pressure “Pink Hat” profession subject.

The gunsmith store not solely constructed and maintained service firearms, but additionally developed to a degree of manufacturing precision firearms match for world-class competitors. The customized pistol part of the store was headed by grasp gunsmith Bob Day, who constructed match-grade .45 “Hardball weapons” for the group. Solely weapons that met his excessive normal of being able to 50-yard teams lower than two inches have been acceptable for competitors. These weapons have been stamped “AFPG,” which stood for Air Pressure Premium Grade. There was even a bit within the store dedicated to testing and creating new techniques.

From 1958 by means of 1969, this system produced legendary groups that far surpassed Gen. LeMay’s expectations. As soon as chosen for group membership, marksmanship grew to become that member’s profession subject of project. All 15 members of that authentic, legendary group have been Distinguished Pistol photographs. Greater than half have been 2650 shooters.

Apart from profitable particular person and group championships on the Interservice and Nationwide Matches, the group set a couple of information at these occasions which have continued to face a long time later. Additionally they introduced house worldwide medals from the Olympic and Pan-American Video games.

Sadly, the group was discontinued after drastic program defunding in 1969 following Gen.LeMay’s retirement. Articles by Charles Petty and T/Sgt. Arnold Vitarbo (USAF, ret.) present a extra comprehensive history of the pistol group from its 1959 origins by means of its resurrection as a modestly funded MWR exercise years later.

After the 1969 funds cuts, a brand new course of was established to increase the existence of an Air Pressure pistol group a bit longer. Annually, the group consisted of opponents who started their marksmanship journey by attaining membership on their base pistol groups, which often competed regionally. The subsequent step was choice for a place on an Air Command Group following base group competitions at annual Air Command Matches.

Every spring, members of the Air Command Groups reported to the annual All-Air Pressure Matches at Lackland Air Pressure Base, the place an Air Pressure Nationwide Pistol Group was assembled for the aim of competing on the upcoming Interservice and Nationwide Matches. The first accountability of the ultimate group members was not marksmanship, however reasonably their assigned navy profession subject.

Coaching was completed throughout off-duty time. They have been anticipated to furnish their very own gear. Nonetheless, the Air Pressure did present gunsmith companies and journey reimbursement to key nationwide and worldwide occasions. Sadly, all funding was discontinued in 1973. A couple of unsupported former group members did proceed to compete as people over the subsequent few years.

One such shooter was Steve Richards, who served as a lieutenant on the unique Air Pressure Nationwide Group within the Nineteen Sixties. He continued to compete on his personal for twenty years following the extreme 1969 defunding of this system. By the Eighties, Col. Richards had turn out to be a Pentagon officer. He and some different marksmanship supporters established that some Olympic occasions have been taking pictures sports activities, and thereby certified for funds allotted to coach Olympic athletes beneath Public Regulation 84-11.

Consequently, the Air Pressure Sports activities and MWR workplace at Randolph Air Pressure Base started to put aside ample non-appropriated funds to resurrect a group. Shooters had to supply their very own weapons, ammunition and gear. They needed to prepare throughout their off-duty time. Nonetheless, journey and per diem funds have been obtainable for main nationwide and worldwide competitions. A group member may solely attend such occasions together with his or her commander’s permission.

Their main Air Pressure accountability was to their assigned profession subject. This new program was designed to determine airmen who had developed to a aggressive degree on their very own. Group try-outs have been set as much as happen every year at Lackland AFB. Most candidates at these trials had been nicely skilled instructors or members of the safety police.

That journey from the Florida panhandle to Cape Cod ended up taking three days. A Greyhound bus would have been sooner. I’ve no complaints although—we arrived house safely. Additional, that journey was a preview of the good occasions to come back.

Within the subsequent installment, Doc Engelmeier will share extra tales about his begin in pistol competitors, a daring flight and different adventures.

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