NY Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Blake Alexander, a Yonkers resident, wins NY National Guard pistol shooting match
Camp Smith Training Site, NY (06/07/2019) — New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Blake Alexander, a Yonkers resident, took first place in the individual pistol competition at the New York National Guard's 2019 Adjutant Generals' Marksmanship Match held at Camp Smith Training Site from May 30th to June 2nd, 2019.
The annual marksmanship competition - known as the "TAG Match" which is short for "The Adjutant General's Match" challenges the skills of New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen with the military's standard issue M-16 and M-4 rifles and the M-9 pistol.
Alexander, is assigned to the 1108th Ordinance Company, which is an explosive ordnance disposal company headquartered in Glenville, N.Y. He competed against eighty-eight other Soldiers and Airmen in the Sgt. Thomas Baker Individual Combat Pistol Match.
Baker was a New York National Guardsman who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously during World War II. He held off attacking Japanese soldiers with only his pistol so that the other members of his unit could retreat successfully.
The competition takes place in four stages and participants fire ten shots during each stage. There are two standing stages, at 30 and 25 yards, then another two scenes kneeling behind a barricade.
The annual marksmanship competition is an important event for the New York National Guard, said Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York.
"Our Soldiers and Airmen must be able to engage an enemy with accurate small arms fire under stressful combat conditions. Every opportunity our Soldiers and Airmen get to fire their individual weapons is critical to building combat effectiveness," Shields said.
Alexander was also awarded an Army Achievement Medal by Brig. General Michel Natali, commander of the 53rd Troop Command, in recognition of his accomplishment.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Blake Alexander, a Soldier from Yonkers, assigned to the 1108th Explosive Ordnance Disposal receives an Army Achievement Medal from Brig. Gen. Michel Natali, commander of the 53d Troop Command, for his performance at the 40th Annual Adjutant General’s Marksmanship Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., June 2, 2019. Alexander finished first in the pistol competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Bezares)
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- NY Army National Guard Specialist Trevor Lock, a Lockport resident, wins statewide Best Warrior Competition
- NY Army Guard Col. John Sandefur, a Gansefoort resident, receives Legion of Merit as he retires after 36 years of service
- Two Airman assigned to NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing brave cold during Minnesota training course
- Clifton Park Airman is named New York Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
- NY Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing moves 1,086 passengers and millions of pounds of supplies across Antarctica during 2025-26 mission season
- NY National Guard's "Fighting 69th" Infantry leads New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade for the 175th Time
- NY Air Guard Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident, wins New York Air Guard statewide honor
- NY Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a Southold resident, Retires from 106th Rescue Wing After 39 Years of Service
- Officer assigned to Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division dies of undetermined causes in a non-combat incident while serving in Kuwait
- NY National Guard announces the death of Major Sorffly Davius of non-combat causes while serving in Kuwait