Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 09/02) - Rankin Inlet hosted a training course on the safe operation of a shooting range this past month.

Cadet civilian instructor Michele Ashby says the range safety officer's course was conducted by Warrant Officer Wayne Jure and Capt. Bud Rhyndress of Yellowknife.

The course was held Sept. 28 and 29.

Funding for the program was made available through the Northern Regional Cadet Support Unit out of Yellowknife.

Ashby says the course was conducted to qualify adult civilian instructors Solomon Malliki of the Repulse Bay 3055 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps and Juan Gill of the Arviat 2992 RCACC.

"We were supposed to get another member of our staff here in Rankin trained, as well, but, unfortunately, at the last minute he couldn't make the training," says Ashby.

"For civilian instructor Tim Hinds and I, it was an opportunity for re-certification because we had received our qualifications previously."

Five members of the Rankin Inlet 3019 RCACC were also able to take the course.

"Our five local cadets are able to do many of the jobs associated with range safety, but, because of their age, they're not allowed to become range safety officers at this particular point in time.

"They will, however, be able to apply a number of the aspects covered during the weekend."

Both Malliki and Gill passed the course and are certified range safety officers.

The two civilian instructors are now qualified to go back to their home communities and run a Canadian Forces range, which requires adherence to strict protocols.

Ashby says the participants learned a lot during the weekend and really enjoyed the course, especially the segment on the principles of marksmanship.

It was the first time Rankin cadets were exposed to training which helped them improve their personal firing

technique.

"Before, our cadets had, basically, just gone out and fired off their weapons.