Queen's medal for Culdrose marksman
An Air Engineer Technician (AET) from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose was formally presented with the Queen's Medal for Champion shots at a small ceremony by his Commanding Officer Captain Mark Garratt.
AET Alex Fisher who works in Culdrose’s Merlin Depth Maintenance Facility (MDMF) scooped the highly respected Queen’s Medal which is awarded to the best of the best marksman across the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. He becomes only the thirteenth Sailor to wear the coveted medal since it was first awarded in 1966.
He beat off stiff opposition from fellow sharpshooting Sailors and Marines at this year's Royal Navy & Royal Marines Operational Shooting Competition (RNRMOSC). The medal is prized amongst service personnel and only three are awarded annually to the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force.
“The Royal Marines are always the strongest opposition and put up some stiff competition among the Navy competitors,” said Alex. “But to win the Queens medal is a really great honour and a very proud moment for me".
The Naval contest involves the top marksmen who represent the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and their respective Reserves Units. It’s made up of a number of physically demanding and operationally relevant matches set to test weapon proficiency during operational encounters in urban, rural, offensive, defensive and close quarter battle (CQB) contacts.
Every round counts and all shoots are conducted with weighted webbing, body armour, helmet, eye protection, and generally involve a physical component of moving at speed between ranges. Also in addition to the complications of different fire positions at different ranges shooters have to account for environmental effects such as wind and rain.
The competition culminates in the top 20 marksmen competing for the Queen’s Medal for Champion Shots of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.