Idaho National Guard Team Earns Runner-Up in International Mapping Competition

Pair of Idaho soldiers place second against British and Canadian forces in prestigious military mapping event.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented elements of a military mapping competition, including camouflage patterns, compasses, and topographic lines, conveying the complex, multi-faceted nature of the event.The Idaho National Guard team's runner-up finish in the international military mapping competition showcases the precision and adaptability of U.S. geospatial intelligence capabilities.Boise Today

An Idaho National Guard team composed of Maj. Benjamin Farnsworth and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christine Smith placed second in the British Army's Best Mapper UK 2026 competition, an international military mapping event held in England. The Idaho duo were the only U.S. representatives, facing off against teams from the British Army and Canadian Armed Forces, with a Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre team taking first place.

Why it matters

Earning a top finish in this prestigious military mapping competition is highly regarded within the geospatial and military intelligence field, showcasing the skills and capabilities of the Idaho National Guard team on the international stage.

The details

The week-long event tested a range of skills beyond just mapping, including marksmanship, land navigation, vehicle maintenance, and physical fitness. The competition is designed to rank British teams for future participation in a similar event at Fort Leonard Wood in the United States, and this year marked the first time allied nations were invited to compete.

  • The competition was held in April 2026 at Longmoor Camp in Hampshire, England.

The players

Maj. Benjamin Farnsworth

A member of the Idaho National Guard team that placed second in the international military mapping competition.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christine Smith

A member of the Idaho National Guard team that placed second in the international military mapping competition.

Idaho Army National Guard

The military branch that the Idaho team represented in the competition.

116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team

The specific unit within the Idaho Army National Guard that the team members were a part of.

British Army

The host nation's military force that organized the Best Mapper UK 2026 competition.

Canadian Armed Forces

One of the allied nations that sent a team to compete against the Idaho National Guard team.

Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre

The Canadian team that took first place in the competition.

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What they’re saying

“Earning a top finish in the competition is highly regarded within the geospatial and military intelligence field.”

— Maj. Benjamin Farnsworth

“The experience offered both professional and personal challenges.”

— Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christine Smith

What’s next

The competition is designed to rank British teams for future participation in a similar event at Fort Leonard Wood in the United States, so the Idaho National Guard team's strong showing may lead to an invitation to compete in that future event.

The takeaway

The Idaho National Guard team's runner-up finish in this prestigious international military mapping competition demonstrates the high level of skill and training within the state's National Guard forces, and highlights the growing importance of geospatial intelligence capabilities for modern military operations.