Northern Rangers test marksmanship skills against 100s of soldiers

Canadian Rangers from the Northwest Territories and Nunavuthave been testing their marksmanship against hundreds of other soldiers at an international competition in Ottawa.

The annual event,hosted by the Canadian Forces, aims to helpcompetitorsdevelop shooting skills from multiple distances and positions.

Ranger Sgt.Frank Green, fromPaulatuk, N.W.T., was among themore than 450 shooters and supporting staff involved with this year's event.

He said there were many talented shooters, which made the competition extremely tough on the squad from the Northwest Territories.

"The team did good [but] it's all a learning experience. Within the next couple of years we'll do a lot better," he said. "It's challenging but a lot of fun."

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Despite the lack of medal placements,he said he received a lot of shooting tips at the competitionand plansto pass on that knowledge to Rangers back inPaulatuk.

"It was a very good experience meeting the international shooters and getting tips on shooting and learning different cultures and the areas they came from."

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Formally known as the Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration(CAFSAC), the competitionstarted Sept. 4 and wrapped up on Friday.

It attracted individuals and teams from regular force units and primary reserves, Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups, and international teams from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

A new featurethis year was the target of a charging bear, a change from traditional bullseyes. Itprovided the Rangers with some flavour from Canada's north, Green noted.

"It was a lot of fun seeing a different target up there, something similar to what we hunt in our [northern Rangers'] general areas," he said.