Air Force Rifle presents, Where are they now?
9/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Rifle
On a recent visit to New Zealand, a former Air Force Academy graduate took a chance to introduce himself to one of the country's sea lion population, and no, it didn't bite! Former cadet, Thomas Chandler, class of 2011, now Capt Chandler, is a former Air Force rifle-team marksman (2008-2011). While at the Academy, Chandler distinguished himself as a five-time NRA All-American in both the smallbore and air rifle. While at the Academy, he broke several school records in both guns and was the Most Valuable Marksman all four years.
Chandler has been on active duty for the past four years and was recently promoted to captain in May 2015. His military career first led him to a stint at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX, where he was the distinguished graduate for his pilot training class. "I flew the T-6 Texan II and T-38 Talon," said Chandler. "After UPT I went to Altus AFB, OK, for C-17A Globemaster III training before arriving at my current base where I am the executive officer to the commander, 8th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington."
The captain has been very fortunate traveling the world as a C-17 pilot.
"I just reached two years with the 8th Airlift Squadron and have already visited 42 countries, including an airdrop exercise in Australia, Antarctica support operations in New Zealand, Vietnam and India for U.S. State and Defense Department personnel visits, presidential support missions to Asia and South Africa to ferry motorcade vehicles and even the presidential transport helicopter, better known as "Marine One," as well as two Middle East deployments."
After graduation, Chandler took a break from shooting as he focused on his flying and earning a master's degree. In 2015, he entered competitive shotgun shooting in the greater Northwest area, choosing to become an active volunteer with the local high school JROTC rifle team and the American Legion's Junior Shooting Sports program to train youth in competition rifle.
"My main focus was with the Oak Harbor rifle team -- where I started shooting -- who recently won the national title for junior shooting in the "sporter" category," said Chandler.
So what's a sporter? Sporter Air Rifle is designed for new competitors or those who desire to compete with a minimum of equipment and expense; competitors fire at targets at a distance of 10 meters in three different positions, prone, standing and kneeling.
Chandler's military career has taken him all over the world, including New Zealand, where he met a feisty sea lion who might not have appreciated his good intension. Luckily, the captain had a pre-established evacuation plan.
"I successfully executed, and avoided any possible injury," he said.
Although the former marksman has been busy with his military career, he has not forgotten about his past as a cadet and former member of the rifle program. He has continued to follow the team since his graduation and likes the path the program is traveling.
"I must say that it's great to see a team that is leaps and bounds better than the team I left when I graduated," he said. "I have followed the growth of the team the last four years and the most notable and obvious testament to their accomplishments are the trips to NCAA Nationals they've made, and team shooters also on the U.S. Development team."
Prior to Launi Meili taking over as the head coach in 2007, the rifle team was an independent. However, that all changed in 2014 with the creation of the Patriot Rifle Conference. In 2014, Air Force took second place in the conference and finished fourth in 2015.
"I was always jealous of the Great American Rifle Conference when I was shooting, but now I'm glad AFA is part of their own conference and can compete annually for more than just the President's Cup and the NCAA championship," he said.
"Having an established conference like this allows the team to hone their focus on more than just one or two key matches a year to numerous matches whose outcomes can foster more distinguished and respected rivalries for teams in the future. I met a few shooters this summer when they were on their Ops Air Force program, many had high hopes for the next season and from what I've been following, I firmly share their positive outlook. All I can tell them is what was preached to me: "relax, squeeze, and follow-thru," added Chandler.
"I was part of Coach Meili's first class of AFA recruits and I have always had a special appreciation for both her leadership and mentorship, and both she and Coach Anti's coaching abilities," said Chandler. "AFA Rifle was in a rough place when I first arrived, our team knew there would be rebuilding years ahead but we were privileged to be part of the genesis behind the legacy Coach Meili's teams are leaving for USAFA athletics today. I would like to see, and firmly believe I will soon witness an AFA Rifle NCAA championship run. They have a great group of returning shooters and leadership, a new range, and eager competitors. I am confident that the program will only produce bigger and better things than what was achieved when I shot."
With over 1,200 flight hours, 350 in combat, volunteering to help young shooters and an encounter with a surly sea lion, Thomas Chandler is still busy after all these years!
