Norwegian Army Sniper Team Emerges Victorious in 2025 European Best Sniper Team Competition
Overview of the Competition
The recent European Best Sniper Team Competition, organized by the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command, concluded with a notable achievement: a sniper duo from the Norwegian Army’s 1st Armored Battalion claimed first place. This annual event took place on November 22 in Grafenwoehr, Germany, showcasing the proficiency of military sharpshooters from 35 teams representing 22 nations.
Performance Highlights
- Winning Team: Comprised of a sergeant and a lance corporal first class from Norway, the duo outperformed 34 other teams in a series of demanding challenges.
- Runner-Up Teams: The Latvian and Greek sniper teams secured second and third place, respectively, underscoring the high level of competition experienced during the event.
The Norwegian lance corporal first class expressed the invigorating nature of the competition, emphasizing the value of encountering various challengers and training environments. The team, while not individually identified in the event’s release, demonstrated exceptional adaptability and teamwork.
Objectives of the Competition
This event is not solely about determining the best sniper team; rather, it serves multiple strategic objectives:
- Enhance Readiness: By exposing participants to a variety of training scenarios, the competition aims to bolster the combat readiness of allied forces.
- Build Military Partnerships: The collaborative nature of the event fosters stronger ties among participating nations, enhancing interoperability in joint operations.
- Adapt to Evolving Combat Environments: Held later in the year to simulate winter combat conditions, participants faced Bavaria’s snow and sub-zero temperatures.
7th Army Training Command’s Command Sergeant Major Paul Fedorisin emphasized the imperative for modern forces to evolve rapidly, stating, “The modern battlefield is evolving faster than at any point in history. We must enhance our tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment—at speed—to remain both survivable and lethal.”
Competition Structure and Challenges
During the six-day duration of the competition, each team engaged in 16 sniper skill-level tasks, which included:
- Shooter and Spotter Communication: Evaluating the effectiveness of verbal coordination between team members.
- Land Navigation: Testing the ability to accurately traverse varied terrain.
- Target Engagements: Assessing marksmanship at different distances.
The rigorous conditions and varied challenges offered a platform for participants to apply and test their training in realistic environments, allowing teams to observe the transferability of their skills.
Participant Nations
The competition featured a diverse set of countries, reflecting Europe’s collaborative defense initiatives. Participating nations included:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Germany
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
Recognition and Closing Remarks
At the award ceremony, Sergeant Major Fedorisin commended the efforts of all competitors, stating, “You are the best that each of your nations and organizations has to offer. You represented them incredibly well.” This sentiment highlights the significance and prestige of the competition, reaffirming the commitment of allied forces to sustained excellence in military preparedness and partnership.
