European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 27, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                German and american soldiers above take aim with m-16s while sgt Doug Montgomery left talks with German troops during a lunch break. International shooting Competition proves a sure fire route to Friendship by Crystal Laureano staff writer the Dusty firing Range was a multicoloured sea of berets and military hats. The scoring tent the piles of ammunition the weapons and the stack of targets All were proof that serious Competition was under Way. The Only contradiction in this no nonsense scene of International Competition was the sound of Jovial bantering a in English Spanish German dutch and French. The camaraderie emanated from More than 100 Allied soldiers gathered in Mannheim Germany for a shooting event sponsored by the army a 70th trans in and cod 502nd aviation regt. For the foreign soldiers High scores with the m-16 and .38-Cal. Pistol would earn them army weapons qualification medals a badges of Honor to Wear on the uniforms of their own country. Quot it is most important for me to get this Chance Here. It is an Honor for me Quot said chief Chi. Robert Robles of the 8th French airborne marines. His uniform carries other badges of Honor a army jump master wings and a special forces Patch. Quot i have trained with americans before and i want to do these things whenever i  Quot in the French army the american Marksman medals Are very prestigious Quot he noted. His teammate chief Chi. Alexander Watt in started the Day by making the rounds with american friends he had made at other International events. Quot we have a lot of Contact with people in the american army. It is Good for the French army when we have Good relations with other armies Quot he said. While generals politicians and Ordinary people Are discussing what role the american military should play in Germany and nato a Soldier s View is quite Clear. Quot it is still important to to have Good relationships with the american army Quot said chief Chi. Johannes Weidlich of the German air Force Resene. Quot All the germans Here today they Don t like this Rush to get americans out of Germany. Quot we have a Good partnership and that is important for  the reservists had to take a Day of leave from their civilian jobs to attend the Competition. Partnership was the theme of the Day As Well As the impetus for this Competition said chief warrant officer 2 Frank Devine of the 70th trans in. Quot we have gone to Many competitions sponsored by the germans and always have a Good time,1 he said Quot i just thought it would be great if we could sponsor an event for them to come  by the noon lunch break soldiers were swapping military items and making friends. Quot this one is a sergeant this one s a sergeant major. They re French Quot said pfc. Jennifer King Between bites of her sack lunch Sandwich. King the Only woman in the Competition said she volunteered to come because the event Quot sounded  Quot i thought it would be a Good Chance to meet people Quot she added. When the Bright Spring Day ended 57 pistol qualification badges and 50 Rifle badges had been awarded to the foreign soldiers. Along with their badges they also took Home a warm feeling of Friendship. Quot i will come to these events whenever i can Quot said Chi. Nico Biver of the Luxembourg army Reserve team. Quot it is Good experience yes but it is also a Good Opportunity to make friends in the other  a French competitor one of 100 contestants in the International event eights Hie m-16. A amps photos by Mike Abrams events included firing .38 Caliper pistols from the kneeling position. Sgt Doug Montgomery and German Walter Mahnke Check out a target on the m-16 Range. Staff sgt. Michael Millerski tabulates the shooting scores. Spec. Chris read explains the Smith and Wesson .38 to a team of German competitors. Page 14 b the stars and stripes monday. A ii 27.1992 the stars and stripes b Page 15