It was a triumph for 16-year-old Cadet Sergeant Wade Tear who was crowned top shot at the recent Central & East Regional Field Day held at RAF Wittering.
Wade is a member of 2160 Sleaford sqn’s Air Rifle shooting team who were selected to represent Trent Wing at this prestigious inter-Wing competition. They earned this honour following their victory at the Trent Wing field day held earlier this year.
In a close fought competition, the Sleaford team came third overall; a performance all the more creditable as quite a few of the team’s regulars were unavailable on the day and substitute firers had to take their place.
In blustery conditions on an open range Wade and his colleagues were in quite an alien environment for competition air rifle shooting, which is usually conducted using indoor ranges. Undaunted Wade shot a total that put him clear of his next rival by a comfortable margin.
The team coach, Civilian Instructor Martin Tokley said: – “I am immensely proud of Wade, his victory and the performance of the whole team was outstanding. All the team members supported one another and our substitutes, particularly those who stepped up to the plate at the last minute, really lifted their game for this major event in the shooting calendar”.
Sleaford’s shooters weren’t the only team from 2160 representing their Wing at the field day; The squadron’s Aircraft Recognition team were also in action and gave a very creditable account of themselves against some serious competition.
At the conclusion of the event Wade was presented with the victors Silver trophy and certificate by the Group Captain Nigel Gorman, Commandant Central and East Region RAF Air Cadets.