Europe Best Sniper Team Competition 2018 (Part 1)

[Zarvan]

In 2016 TFB took an extensive look at the Rifles and Optics at the Europe Best Sniper Team, you can check our story again if you like.

It’s time again. Just about a week ago these pictures were released. The firearms are essentially the same, but the pictures are new.

Europe Best Sniper Team Competition is a United States Army Europe-directed contest of skill that includes 19 NATO and other partner nation participants between July 28-Aug. 2, 2018.

One of the exercises was to engage targets from a flying UH-60 Blackhawk, in an event called the High-Angle Shot, as if the other shots weren’t challenging enough.

The location was the 7:th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr in Germany.

Sniper team from Latvia, fire from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 28, 2018. Looks like a M110/ SR-25. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper team from the 2nd Calvary Regiment, return to the boat landing after firing from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 28, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

The French team below is possibly using a PGM Hectate II (.50 BMG). I bet that rocks the boat.

-“I’ just need to make a quick phone call. Can you please stop shooting?” Sniper team from France, fire from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 28, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Here is a close-up.

The Europe Best Sniper Team Competition is an U.S. Army Europe competition challenging militaries from around the world to compete and enhance teamwork with allies and partner nations.

Sniper team from Latvia, return to the boat landing after firing from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 28, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper team North America, made up of one U.S. Soldier and one Canadian Soldier, fire from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 28, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper team from France, fire from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 28, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper team from the United Kingdom prepare to evacuate Timmy using a fireman’s carry during the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper team from Slovinia, return to the boat landing after firing from a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) at targets placed across a lake, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Below you can see the L115A3 (AI AWM .338) and a team from the United Kingdom.

Sniper team from the United Kingdom prepare to fire a long distance shot during the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018.. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)


Another picture of the L115A3 (AI AWM .338) and a sniper working the VTAC barricade.

Sniper from the United Kingdom prepare to fire from the kneeling supported position during the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

The Finns are using the TRG of course.

Sniper team from Finland prepare to fire a long distance shot during the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

I think the standard issue spotter scope in Finland is made by Zeiss, but not sure what this is.

Sniper team spotter from Finland watches for the bullet trace of his snipers round, during the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper from Finland cycles the bolt of his SAKO TRG to eject a spent casing during the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper from Finland fires his last pistol round from the prone position during the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr training area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Sniper team from Finland receives a mission brief from a Latvian First Sergeant, before the stress shoot lane of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, July 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin S. Abel)

Thanks to Abraxas Spa, a picture of Bulgarian snipers using the Heckler & Koch MSG90 A2 during the Europe Best Sniper Competition 2018 in Grafenwoehr.

Europe Best Sniper Team Competition is designed to develop professionalism and enhance esprit de corps.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/08/03/europe-best-sniper-team-competition-2018/

 

[Zarvan]

Europe Best Sniper Team Competition 2018 (Part 2)

A Finnish soldier chambers a new round into his sniper rifle during the field fire event as part of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, July 30, 2018. Europe Best Sniper Team Competition is a United States Army Europe-directed contest of skill that includes 19 NATO and partner nation participants at 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, July 28-Aug. 2, 2018. Europe Best Sniper Team Competition is designed to develop professionalism and enhance esprit de corps. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Last week we enjoyed looking at a number of pictures from Europe’s Best Sniper Team Competition.

As you can see in the pictures, you need to be able to handle a variety of situations and firearms to score and win. Everything from medical care to shooting at targets with a pistol or sniping at long distances, in the strangest positions.

Note the SAKO TRG M10, as selected by Poland.
(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: That’s a nice camouflage on the TRG M10.

Polish soldiers getting ready with their SAKO TRG M10 in the field fire event. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)



Below: A SAKO TRG M10 in the hands of a Polish snipers, scope seems to be a Hensoldt ZF 3.5-26 x 56and the mount is a Spuhr.

(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

The Polish snipers in the foreground fire at targets at the field fire event. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Polish soldiers clearing a building. Can you identify the pistol? List of equipment of the Polish Land Forces
(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: French soldiers in the same situation. Note that they have full gear on.

Sako TRG M10. Atlas bipod.

A Polish soldier adjusts the Hensholdt rifle scope. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

A Polish soldier chambers a new round into his SAKO TRG M10. Note the insignia on the rifle scope. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: A French soldier engages targets during the field fire event. I guess this is a Heckler & Koch HK417.

(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: This picture gives you an idea of the distances and challenges, in this case for some French snipers.

A French sniper with a HK417 (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

A French soldier engages targets during the field fire event. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: Now time for some Finnish snipers, and SAKO TRG. A Kahles scope in a Spuhr mount, with a NightForce protection lens cover.

A Finnish soldier chambers a new round into his SAKO TRG sniper rifle during the field fire event as part of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition at 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, July 30, 2018.
(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

 

[Zarvan]

(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Finnish soldiers clear a building at the field fire event. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Time to use the tripod! A Finnish sniper engages targets during the field fire event. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: Finnish soldier with what I think is a RK62 (M?)

(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: Most likely an Ase Utra sound suppressor at the end of that Finnish TRG.

(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

A British soldier chambers a new round into his Accuracy International sniper rifle during the field fire event.
(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

British soldiers board a Stryker vehicle at the field fire event as part of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition.
(U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

Below: Presumably a Sako TRG 42, used by a Danish sniper. Caliber .338 LM.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Michael Austin, right, assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, observes a Danish sniper team at the water shot event of the Europe Best Sniper Team Competition. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)



Here’s one of the videos from the event. This is from the Bulgarians using a Heckler & Koch MSG90 A2. Note that they are NOT using any hearing protection at all, that must be awful.


Next week we’ll have a look at Part 3, the last pictures from the event and the winners.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/08/08/europe-best-sniper-team-competition-2018-part-2/