By Sgt. First Class Julius Clayton

Special to the News-Herald

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Action Shooting Team competed in two separate events this past week.

Staff Sgt. Tyler Payne, from Princeton, Minn., took first place in the Open Division of the 2017 Precision Rifle Series Gas Gun Opener in Baker, Fla., Feb. 18 and 19. Payne also took home High Military Honors at the competition.

Five other members of the Action Shooting Team, including one from Suffolk, competed at the United States Practical Shooting Association’s Florida Open in Frostproof, Fla.

Staff Sgt. Brad Balsley, from Uniontown, Pa., and Staff Sgt. John Browning, from Jackson, Ga., took 2nd place in the Open and Limited Divisions, respectively.

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Horner, of Suffolk, registered a third place in the Limited Division, while Pfc. Jacob Hetherington, of Prescott, Ariz., took third in the Production Division.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit participates in national and international shooting competitions, supports Army marketing engagements and advances small arms lethality to demonstrate Army marksmanship capability, connect America to its Army and enhance marksmanship effectiveness in combat.