A member of the U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team competing in Hightown, England during the Royal Marine Operational Shooting Competition from September 8-18, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps/ Cameron Storm)

HIGHTOWN , England, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- The United States Marine Corps Shooting Team took first place in a combat shooting skills competition in England, beating challengers from across Europe, the Marine Corps says.

The Royal Marine Operational Shooting Competition took place at Altcar Ranges near Hightown, England between Sept. 8-18, and included representatives from the U.S., U.K., France and the Netherlands.


The ranges were not based on stationary marksmanship, on which Marine Corps competitions usually focus, but rather combat shooting situations:

This is accomplished by designing courses of fire that would simulate the conditions of combat including wearing combat gear running anywhere from three to 600 meters, shooting at moving and static targets, and, in some instances, shooting at random targets at random distances, simulating the uncertainty that can be felt in a firefight.

Each competing nation experienced strengths and weaknesses in different areas, and there was a variety of trophies available to the victors. U.S. Marines took first place for the Duke of Edinburgh Cup, which goes to the team with the highest rifle and pistol scores.

The U.S. Marines, who pride themselves as having the most advanced basic rifle marksmanship training in the U.S. military, ironically didn't place in the top three for the rifle competition. Their highest score came in the pistol matches, which bumped their overall score up for the Duke of Edinburgh Cup and also netted them the Revolver Bowl. British Royal Marines took second place.

Despite the performance, U.S. Marines used unfamiliar weaponry in the competition, including Glock 19 pistols and SA-80 rifles, standard issue for the British armed forces.

"Next year we are definitely bringing our own weapons," said Capt. Jared Dalton, team captain of the Marine Corps Shooting Team.