JROTC Air Rifle Regionals Comes to Las Vegas in February
February 3, 2017
Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸JROTC Air Rifle Regionals Comes to Las Vegas in FebruaryBy Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites the public to explore the exciting and fast-growing world of air rifle competition Feb. 9-11, 2017, as nearly 200 coaches, competitors and spectators take part in the 2017 JROTC Regional Air Rifle Championships, held at the Cashman Center.
The event showcases high school Junior ROTC athletes from around the country who use precision air rifles (mirrored from Olympic-style competitions) as well as classically-designed sporter air rifles to fire pellets upon state-of-the-art electronic targets at prone, standing and kneeling positions. Regional events will also be held in Camp Perry, Ohio, and Anniston, Ala., before Nationals are fired in March.
The targets appearing in Las Vegas will be constructed from CMP’s new electronic Mobile Range – featuring innovative Kongsberg Target System (KTS) targets used for the first time at the Western Regional event. The range was recently updated to resemble CMP’s reconstructed stationary air gun ranges in Anniston and Camp Perry, which both include the same target technology.
The high-tech KTS targets used in CMP’s air gun ranges are powered by OpticScore technology, which are scored optically by internal LED lights. Monitors at each firing point instantly display scores, and button functions with an LED lighted screen allow ease of use for individuals of all ages and experience levels.
Aiming at spreading the realm of air rifle competition to athletes and curious onlookers around the nation, the Mobile Range is so versatile that it can be set up in virtually any location. Projectors placed around the Mobile Range space display each competitor’s target, making any match spectator-friendly. CMP staff members are also on hand to answer questions for those wanting to learn more about the safe, fun and growing sport.
As a reward to dedicated air gun juniors, the MidwayUSA Foundation will provide generous endowments to leading competitors. Totaling almost $700,000 to successful teams throughout the JROTC and CMP three-position air rifle competitions in 2016, the Foundation also made a $24,500 contribution towards highpower support for the first time. The CMP added over $61,000 over the course of the year to three-position competitions as well as other air gun open matches for juniors and adults – continuing its support of junior marksmanship for the current generation and the future.