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Straight shooter: Tinker sergeant wins fourth straight shooting competition

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Michael Henderson did it again. The noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training facility recently participated in and won the military division of the National Rifle Association National Police Shooting Championship. It is the technical sergeant's fourth consecutive win.

Having returned from a seven-month deployment in June, Henderson said he didn't have time to practice for the Sept. 17-22 contest in Albuquerque, N.M. Despite the circumstance, he still reached two personal bests, placed in his class division and took home the overall division win.

"I like a challenge and the competition challenges me to be more competitive across the board with the other agencies and there's always room for improvement," said Henderson. "And, it's good to push myself to be better, plus I get to spend time with my father who also competed in the contest."

Open to law enforcement, participants can compete in a variety of individual, team and tactical matches with an assortment of weapons over four days.

Henderson said no two competitions are the same. His strengths and weaknesses change from year to year.

"This year for some reason the positions I was really good at last year were weaker this year. I totally switched around at the 50-yard line," Henderson said. "This year my left hand was weak and usually it's real good, but I still kept them all on the paper. I shot a personal best in the revolver class and I shot about the same in the semi-auto class. I actually shot better overall -- point-wise."

Henderson said in addition to winning the military division, he also placed in his class -- determined by scores -- against municipal, county, state, federal and competitors from around the world.

"It's a personal goal to be a five-time national champ, so these accomplishments are just a stepping stone," Henderson said. "Plus, it's something positive for me to think about and reflect on. They show all the work I have put into being the best I can be at something and have also helped my teaching career along the way."

Henderson, 30, shot his first gun at 6 years old when his father, an Iowa state trooper and firearms instructor, who has since retired, offered the opportunity. When he squeezed the trigger of the revolver, heard the pop and felt the kick, something special happened.

The fun soon turned into a quest to be better. As he grew older, and other obligations and interests became priority, he didn't practice as much as he'd like, but his love for shooting never died. When the sergeant had money, he used it to customize his firearms. The practice can run upwards of $3,000 and takes months to build. Henderson's favorite gun is a custom 9mm Springfield Armory 1911 that he had built two years ago.

After graduating high school, Henderson joined the Air Force. Two years after he joined, the sergeant said he looked into retraining on his firearms. Since he was not yet a senior airman, he had to get a special waiver. In 2003, with his waiver granted, he attended combat arms school and made a career out of his passion.

Danny Cross, 72nd SFS CATM chief, said not only is Henderson a talented shooter, but he is also consistent, professional and a stellar role model.

"He's a good instructor and it's reflected in his accomplishments at the competition," Cross said.