Military Sims - THE modern squad based combat experience - without the bullets!

AAR DAY EVOLUTION SAT 18TH APRIL

2009-04-20T16:54:00.002+10:00

Danger and Engage teams were mobilised in the early hours of the morning to assist in transfer a group of sensitive surveillance equipment from their FOB to some outlaying OPs to their north.

Here is a section of the briefing for Danger team members:

Sukla Star – Helmand Province, Afghanistan – Sat 18th April 2009 – 1100 hrs – Danger Team

Orientation
Welcome back to Helmand gentlemen. Your expertise is going to be greatly appreciated here at this time of the year. The Taliban are on the move as you have been made aware. With the troop surge coming to fruition a little slower than expected, the TB have been attempting to reclaim recently lost areas of the AO to try and persuade the locals of their strength and success in battling the coalition forces. The Canadians have really been on the receiving end of it lately with 2 road side bombs claiming 4 of their soldiers.

Situation
HQ has established a number of secure OPs in the AO and these have been very successful in providing Intel to us for our operations. With the increase of TB activity, we are moving to support these positions by upgrading a number of them to Combat Posts. This means a number of items need to be moved out to them and these can only be done via foot due to the nature of the terrain. It also means we have send out full sections in case they bump into anything nasty moving around out there.

We know the enemy does have spotters and recon elements out and about. They will be armed with their usually loadout of soviet and chinese style ARs and RPGs. I wouldn’t expect too many support weapons but who knows. And definitely no mortar support. They will most likely be very mobile, so expect to be left alone on occasion as they attempt to break contact. It is up to you whether or not you pursue them.

Your force is made up of Danger team. Other Sections will be operating in the area in similar style activities but none in your sector which runs on the right (East side) of the main creek that splits our AO in two.

You have Casevac available on standby at FOB Bastion to the south. They are RAF and Australian Chinooks designated “White Knight”. Call them only if needed.

You have no attachments/detachments.

Mission
Your mission is to take a number of asset crates through the AO on foot to be delivered to OPs in our north. There are 4 maybe 5 of these to be moved today. Due to the nature of these item, only 1 of them can be in transit at any one time. Once delivered, the personnel manning those sites may get you to return with something, so be open to taking items both ways. Always radio in once you have reached either of your 2 waypoints for any Intel updates.

Execution
Commander’s intent is to move various items of surveillance to our OPs in the north safely and securely.

You will Infil on foot from Waypoint Shogun at grid Quebec 27 at 1100 hrs, set up comms with Zero Alpha before moving out on your objective. Once you get the green light from Zero Alpha, you are to execute your transit on foot to OP Grant at grid Oscar 6 and deliver the 1st item by 1200 hrs. Once secure, radio into Zero Alpha for any updated Intel and then return to WP Shogun for the next item.

Administration/Logistics
Make sure you have enough food and water with you.
Ammo loadout should be as standard with 14 clips for ARs and 5 for SAWs.
No QRF are available.
Casevac is available as stated.

Command/Signal
Zero Alpha will be located at FOB Robertson and is be designated “Zero Alpha”.
Use secure channel 20.
Casevac is located at Camp Bastion and is designated “White Knight”.

Both teams headed out to their Infil points with their assets safely in their hands. Engage had trouble from the start locating their Infil point and moved too far to the North East. They eventually recalibrated their navigation aids and were back on track.

Minor contacts were made with enemy fighters as both teams attempted their 1st delivery.

Danger was 1st to get to their drop off point and delivered their assets in perfect working order. They then turned around and began their trek for their 2nd delivery.

At around 1230 hrs, orders came through to both teams to move to locate and secure a UK pilot forced to ditch his Typhoon fighter nearby. He was believed to have parachuted to safety in the heights towards the centre of the AO. Both teams were to find him and secure the area for the SAR team to arrive and extract him. Danger was the 1st on scene and professionally established a secure perimeter and recovered the pilot. Due to the difficult terrain, radio links with HQ were unreliable and Danger was unable to get confirmation on the SAR team. Danger Team leader decided to move south with his prize in order to get as close to friendly territory and therefore SAR extraction as possible. Danger team ended up escort the pilot all the way to link up with a perimeter patrol from the FOB at which they handed him over and returned back on mission for their 2nd asset delivery.

During this time, Engage sustained an injury and required an immediate extraction of a serious injured team member. They managed to move to lower ground where a vehicle could get in and the soldier was taken away to the field hospital at the FOB.

With this delay they could not get to assist in the pilot recovery and were soon back on mission with their asset to delivery.

Just prior to Engage making their delivery, orders came through for both teams to move on a hilltop location where a regular UAV overflight had spotted a group of MAMs taking weapons out of a concrete water tank. Closer inspection of the footage revealed the unused Water tank was indeed a weapons cache. Both teams were tasked with moving urgently to the location to engage and eliminate any enemy presence and to destroy the cache with any explosives found within it. Should no explosives be found, they were secure the area and radio in for a clearance team to move to them to destroy it for them.

This mission took the rest of the day for both teams as they encountered heavy resistance moving into the area of the cache from numerous groups of enemy fighters. A number of casualties were taken and a Casevac was requested by both teams.

In the end the mission was abandoned due to the oncoming night and the number of casualties sustained.

Both teams extracted on foot back to FOB Robertson and moved en masse to the chow hall for a feed.

PICS GONE!

2009-04-03T10:04:00.001+10:00

Please bear with me.

I recently moved my blogs from one google account name to a new google account name. I checked they ran okay and they were fine. I them removed them altogether from the old account name and they still ran fine. I then deleted that old google account and still they ran fine.

A couple of days later I log in and all the images are gone. I have recently found out that transferring a blog from one google name to another does not flow through to the picasa web album that stores all the images in a blog for you.

Apparently even though you delete your google account instantly, it takes a couple of days for Google to actually delete the account name and therefore will not show its true effect straight away when you test it. You would need to log into Picasa and download all your pics under the old account name and then log into the new account name and reload them all. I would assume you would also need to edit all your posts and reload the pics so the picasa url for each pic is updated. Pretty dumb if you ask me considering the picasa account is instantly created and linked to your google account as soon as you start a blog.

So, I now need to locate backups of all my images and edit each post in each blog and reload the pics.

Please bear with me as I bring it all back up to date.

AAR DAY EVOLUTION SAT 28TH MARCH

2009-03-29T10:11:00.000+10:00

(from the ED - sorry i do not have pics of this session. I also did not see a lot of the action that occured. Anyone else who would like to add to this, please feel free by clicking on Comments at the bottom and adding it in)

Danger and Engage teams were having a nice quiet training day on base when a call came through. A firing range and some withdrawal drills were the order of the day. The range was getting good use. But now it was game time.

A group of MAMs had taken control of a couple of large compounds to the south a few weeks ago and today there seemed to be a little more activity than usual. Command decided to send out a large team to gather intel on the compounds in order to ascertain how to preceed.

Danger and Engage were instructed to move on the Compounds from the north using a concealed trail and gather as much information about the layouts, the nearby container and junk yards and any armed personnel seen in the area.

Being such a hostile side of the lines, the whole of Danger and Engage were deployed together.
As the teams were in position gathering information, a firefight began at the 1st Compound. One of the scout teams had managed to get on the southern side of the target area when the fight broke out. They were trapped.

According to members of Engage team, while taking down information, the team had been contacted from the rear by a hostile patrol on their return to the compound. This was indeed back luck, as the ensuing fight alerted the compounds inhabitants who raced out to join in the battle.

Danger and Engage were ordered to withdraw under fire and managed to break contact, but with a number of casualties.

After the teams were resupplied, they began their move on the 2nd compound. This time they were more aware of possible contacts in sectors other than their front and managed to get into position to see the 2nd compound without being spotted or compromised. A large amount of information was gathered.

As the teams were readying their withdrawal with their gathered intel, they were ordered to assault the compound. Command had been tracking 2 helicopters that had crossed the border and they had just changed their course and speed in a way to suggest they were making for the 2nd compound. Analysts inferred they were there to extract the now compromised enemy from the compound and estimated the teams had 10 minutes before their prey got away to safety.

The teams began their assault and forced their way into the compound grounds and searched the buildings. No enemy were found and a quick update from command let them know the enemy force has managed to get out from the compound to the heights to the south to link up with the choppers now only a few minutes away.

As Danger and Engage began their advance past the compound, they can under fire from the fleeing enemy who managed to suppress and pin them and forced them to waste valuable time searching for cover and trying to co-ordinate their advance.

By the time the teams formulated their plans and set them in progress, the enemy had made it to the top of the heights and were popping smoke for their rescuers.

The enemy choppers came in hard and fast as they recovered their comrades and scoured the bush for targets. No targets were seen as Danger and Engage did not wish to risk a fights with gunships or door gunners and held their position half way down the heights in cover.

Good work on the intel, Danger and Engage but better luck next time in catching your prey.

AAR NIGHT DEPLOYMENT (07 FEB 09)

2009-02-10T15:58:00.007+10:00

BRIEFING FOR DANGER PLATOON:

1800hrs February 7, 2009 – in the hills 4 miles south of An Nassariyah – Danger Teams

Welcome gentlemen. US Special Forces Team 8 have been tracking a number specialist bomb making teams who have recently come in country from Afghanistan along with their respective security teams. One of these men is the notorious Aman Ali Sayed. His blatant filming of ambushes and attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan has rewarded him with the #1 spot on the coalitions’s bomb makers hitlist in the War On Terror. After a close call in Afghanistan last month, he was able to move out of Pakistan and in to Iraq through Iran. Operatives from SF Team 8 will be overwatching tonight’s operation as well as moving on a number of lesser known bomb makers in our AO. The capture of Ali Sayed has been tasked to your team.

Ali Sayed’s exact whereabouts is hard to pinpoint but we believe he is working at in a farm shed located at Objective Scimitar at grid Romeo 22. You will INFIL into the area and using stealth you will need to move your team to get eyes on the objective so you can plan an execute and assault and recover mission. Be aware that Ali Sayed will most likely have a very determined and well trained bodyguard.

Mission Detail:
You are to INFIL at LZ Alpha at grid Quebec 30. You will need to radio into to HQ before moving out you’re your INFIL point. Be aware that if you are observed in the area you will be attacked by any number of hostile groups including criminal gangs and insurgents. All contacts are considered hostile but there are neutral civilians living in the area. The nature of the operation and the terrain will limit how much support is available to you but you will have CASEVAC on standby should you need it.

EXFIL at LZ Alpha at grid Quebec 30.

You have 60 minutes to locate and extract Ali Sayed.

Enemy:
As you are aware, most of the enemy you will encounter tonight are either Al Qaeda gunmen, local Militia, criminal elements or smuggling gangs. They are all armed with soviet and Chinese ARs, supporting LMGs and RPGs. Remember you should be in and out in 60 minutes max so don’t get bogged down in a firefight. Break contact and try again when you can.

Comms Designations:
Danger Team will be on channel 20. HQ will be “Actual”.
CASEVAC and RESUP is available from our south and is designated “Lightfoot”.

Good luck gentlemen

BRIEFING FOR ENGAGE PLATOON:

1800hrs February 7, 2009 – in the hills 4 miles south of An Nassariyah – Engage Teams

Welcome gentlemen. US Special Forces Team 8 have been tracking a number specialist bomb making teams who have recently come in country from Afghanistan along with their respective security teams. One of these men is the notorious Aman Ali Sayed. His blatant filming of ambushes and attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan has rewarded him with the #1 spot on the coalitions’s bomb makers hitlist in the War On Terror. After a close call in Afghanistan last month, he was able to move out of Pakistan and in to Iraq through Iran. Operatives from SF Team 8 will be overwatching tonight’s operation as well as moving on a number of lesser known bomb makers in our AO. The capture of Ali Sayed has been tasked to your team.

Ali Sayed’s exact whereabouts is hard to pinpoint but we believe he is working at in a farm shed located at Objective Scimitar at grid Romeo 22. You will INFIL into the area and using stealth you will need to move your team to get eyes on the objective so you can plan an execute and assault and recover mission. Be aware that Ali Sayed will most likely have a very determined and well trained bodyguard.

Mission Detail:
You are to INFIL at LZ Bravo at grid Uniform 26. You will need to radio into to HQ before moving out you’re your INFIL point. Be aware that if you are observed in the area you will be attacked by any number of hostile groups including criminal gangs and insurgents. All contacts are considered hostile but there are neutral civilians living in the area. The nature of the operation and the terrain will limit how much support is available to you but you will have CASEVAC on standby should you need it.

EXFIL at LZ Alpha at grid Quebec 30.

You have 60 minutes to locate and extract Ali Sayed.

Enemy:
As you are aware, most of the enemy you will encounter tonight are either Al Qaeda gunmen, local Militia, criminal elements or smuggling gangs. They are all armed with soviet and Chinese ARs, supporting LMGs and RPGs. Remember you should be in and out in 60 minutes max so don’t get bogged down in a firefight. Break contact and try again when you can.

Comms Designations:
Engage Team will be on channel 30. HQ will be “Actual”.
CASEVAC and RESUP is available from our south and is designated “Lightfoot”.

Good luck gentlemen

TOTAL RESULTS:

ROUND 1 RESULTS:

ROUND 2 RESULTS:

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS FOR ROUND 1:

NOTE: Round 1 data combined with old data in the Odin and so may not contain the correct values in all fields.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS FOR ROUND 2:

Individual Scoresheets have been emailed to all operators for personal feedback.

DETAILED AAR CURRENTLY BEING WRITTEN UP BY ONE OF THE SQUAD LEADERS INVOLVED IN THE ACTION - CHECK BACK SOON.

MilSims Squad Rosters

2009-01-16T20:14:00.002+10:00

The current MilSims Squad Roster as of 1st February 2009:

The roll out of MilSims 3.0 is now well underway. The main difference is the moving to permanent squad based structures. Under 3.0, all members of MilSims will apply for a role within a squad and will always perform that role for that squad at each deployment.

This way, operators can work together at improving their skills and the overall affectiveness of their team by completing courses together, training and operating together.

As of 1st November, 2008, the whole structure of MilSims has been recalibrated to a similar structure for an Infantry Company made up of a company HQ, and a number of platoons each made up of a number of sections or squads.

The squads are made up of:

Squad Leader
2IC who oftens acts as Gun Group Leader
SAW or LSW Gunner
Medic
Signaler
Scout 1 or Sniper
Scout 2 or Spotter
Demolitions expert
Rifleman 1
Rifleman 2

In Phase 1 of MilSims 3.0, 4 squads will be raised being Danger 2, Danger 3, Engage 1 and Engage 2. Danger 1 and Engage 3 will be raised early 2009. Danger 1 was offered to and accepted by Ice who is currently out of the country and will return in Feb 09. The 4 squads were offered to 4 members who all accepted their appointments as Squad Leaders. They then nominated and recruited their own 2ICs and the rest of the placements are from the remainder of the operators applying for and being accepted individually into roles.

Operation Requirements have been issued to all Squad Leaders.

Any MilSims operator must complete the MilSims Recruit Course before they can be accepted into a role within a squad. They must then complete the corresponding specialty course for the role they hold. All current operators can be accepted into a role and will be required to complete the MilSims Recruit Course in the 1st quarter of 2009. From 1st November 2008, any new members of MilSims will be placed in a recruit squad and will supply operators to fill gaps in any squad at any deployment until they complete the Recruit Course and can then apply for a permanent role in a squad of their choice providing that spot is vacant.

If a squad does not have a full 10 operators at any deployment, the vacant spots will be filled by recruits from the recruit squad for that deployment.

Part 2 of the roll out of MilSims 3.0 involves the design and implementation of a number of training courses to compliment and reinforce the new structure. More on this will follow at a later date.

AAR 24HR WE WERE SOLDIERS (6 DEC 08)

2008-12-08T15:20:00.004+10:00

My experiences as part of the US Forces at the battle of Ia Drang – LZ X-Ray

At 1100hrs we were given our orders. The entire battalion was to be inserted by helo to a location by the Ia Drang river where we believe the remnants of the NVA and VC force that attacked our special forces base had withdrawn to. We were to drop the 1st load in with about 200 men and secure the LZ so 2 other loads could be dropped in behind us. Once the entire battalion was infield, we were to then expand our patrols and recon to the north to locate and eliminate any enemy found. Not too back a plan.

I was in the 2nd group to be sent in. When we landed we could see that the 1st group was in heavy contact already. As we settled in on the left flank, our comrades to our right were attacked repeatedly by waves of NVA and VC. They did not appear to be a defeated under strength force. I asked around and found out that the attacking force was actually a fresh regiment of NVA they did now know was in the area. They were coming from over the ridgeline to our north and east in large numbers. It appeared they were trying to kill as many of us as possible with little care for themselves or their comrades.

We were told to dig in part way up the mountain and secure the LZ and protect it from infiltrators. A number of overlapping and supporting gun and defensive positions were established with great affect. Multiple attacks were broken up and repelled but we were taking casualties. All we had to do was to break the attacks enough to be able to assault up the mountain. But this was a long way off. We had to concentrate on holding off their attacks with enough violence so as to make them hold for long enough for us to take the initiative.

Our little force on the left flank caught site of a group flanking us on our left. They were walking straight towards our position perpendicular to our defensive line. Our team leader, Owl was the link between our line moving left from him and the gun pit of the rest of our battalion. The enemy were moving in a column formation straight for Owl but had not seen him. He and his team were sighting up the enemy and my team and Carnage’s were hunkered down waiting for Owl to open the contact. We could hear him counting down the range until he finally opened fire with everything he had. Both mine and Carnage’s team also opened fire even though in reality my team was not able to see the targets due to large scrub between us and them.

The enemy broke to their right, our left, right along our defensive line and we soon had them pinned between a large block of trees and stumps to my immediate front. My team continued laying down suppressing fire, while Owl’s team between moving on my right to flank the enemy hiding behind their cover. Carnage took Owl’s lead and moved his team up on my left. The enemy soon had fire from their left and right while I was suppressing them to their front. As soon as Owl and Carnage stopped in their positions, I moved my team up to close the gap. With fire coming from 3 sides, the enemy were totally eliminated. We moved in and secured their location and re-established our defensive line this time facing the top of the ridge to the northeast which is where this enemy force had come from.

After an hour or 2, we were requested to join the company on our right as they cautiously moved up to mountainside to the northeast. As we were on their left and facing the same direction, we fell into formation and headed up. A long gun battle erupted a number of enemy to our front and slight left. The crossfire from such a large line advancing soon had most of the enemy pinned to cover and overcome by fire being received from multiple directions sometimes as extreme close range. Soon we had cleared the face of the mountain. We heard rumours that an NVA Divisional HQ was located just over the ridgeline and that we had actually landed in an area housing 3 full regiments of NVA and VC along with the remnants of the attack that we had been sent in there to locate. We had no orders to proceed any further so we withdrew back down to mountain to re-establish our original defensive line and await reinforcements and further orders.

A number of counterattacks were witnessed throughout the rest of that day until my team and I were pulled out to rest and resupply, which we did appreciatively as the heat had been almost unbearable.

Soon after a rest and hydration, we moved back to the centre of the line to assist in a counterattack that appeared to be targeting the central gun pit. My team fell in to cover the area to the slight left and rear of the pit and were soon engaging targets on the ridgeline at long range. It took a while but most of those contacts were either killed or withdrew and I relocated my team to cover the right flank of the pit.

A counterattack further to our right prompted me to move my team back to our LZ but when we got there, that attack had been beaten off.

Things quietened down so I took the time to grab some food and rest a little. A storm was on its way and the light rain was a welcomed addition to a very hot and arduous day. The storm broke! It thundered down torrents of rain and almost non stop flashes of lightning as we huddled under our hooches and tarps.

All throughout the night the storm beat into us and at daybreak, it was revealed that our LZ had been completely overrun with storm water. It was then that got orders to abandon our LZ altogether and get back to our FOB to recover.

We stepped onto the choppers at around 6:30am while it was still raining and saw the enemy overrunning the site we had fought so hard and lost so dearly for.

Did we achieve a victory or not? And at what cost? I know we were they to locate and destroy any enemy found but what we found was a force much larger than we had anticipated. Had we actually made any impact on their numbers for the time we were there? I guess only the brass can call it in the end. All I know is my team and I made it out alive.

That's enough victory for 1 day for me.

We'll be back Charlie! Just you wait.

AAR DAY EVOLUTION (22 NOV 08)

2008-12-05T10:26:00.003+10:00

1100hrs November 22nd 2008 – 55 miles South of Kabul in the Karengal Valley, Afghanistan

Welcome to the Karengal Valley gentlemen. With the re-emergence of the Taliban from the mountains to our east, HQ has decided to make a strong presence in this valley in an attempt to make a show of force and to instill confidence in the local population that coalition forces are here to stay.

Today’s operation will be a number of patrols through the valley sectors, making contact and gathering human Intel and acting if necessary on some of that Intel if the situation is right.

DANGER TEAM BRIEF

Danger Team will INFIL by helo at LZ Alpha in the opening to the east of the boatshed at grid Romeo 22. Secure your INFIL and report in to HQ for the green light. Once given the green light, you are to proceed to a FUP at waypoint November 22 and link up with Engage Team.

Your primary objective will be to work with Engage Team to assault and clear a compound to your north at Objective Hippo at grid Lima 16. Use your scouts to gather Intel to assist you in planning your assault. You are to consider all contacts as hostile and you must minimize casualties to friendly forces. Once the compound is clear, set up a security perimeter and gather Intel. Report in to HQ any Intel you gather and await further instructions.

Enemy
The enemy are typical Taliban formations of company strength groups, very well armed with Russian and Chinese style automatic weapons, LMGs and RPGs. They may also have mortar support so watch your spacing.

Support
A QRF of British Royal Anglians are on standby should you need support. They are designated “White Knight”.CASEVAC is available on request in the form of British RAF Chinooks designated “Chester”.

I don’t need to remind you how important it is to make a show of force in this area and instill confidence in the locals that the coalition are here to stay and to support the rebuilding and enhancement of infrastructure and commerce. Watch your arcs, use your superior firepower and tactics and bring all your team home.

Good luck.

ENGAGE TEAM BRIEF

Engage Team will INFIL by helo at LZ Bravo in the opening to our southwest at grid Juliet 27. Secure your INFIL and report in to HQ for the green light. Once given the green light, you are to proceed to a FUP at waypoint November 22 and link up with Danger Team.

Your primary objective will be to work with Danger Team to assault and clear a compound to your north at Objective Hippo at grid Lima 16. Use your scouts to gather Intel to assist you in planning your assault. You are to consider all contacts as hostile and you must minimize casualties to friendly forces. Once the compound is clear, set up a security perimeter and gather Intel. Report in to HQ any Intel you gather and await further instructions.

Enemy
The enemy are typical Taliban formations of company strength groups, very well armed with Russian and Chinese style automatic weapons, LMGs and RPGs. They may also have mortar support so watch your spacing.

Support
A QRF of British Royal Anglians are on standby should you need support. They are designated “White Knight”.CASEVAC is available on request in the form of British RAF Chinooks designated “Chester”.

I don’t need to remind you how important it is to make a show of force in this area and instill confidence in the locals that the coalition are here to stay and to support the rebuilding and enhancement of infrastructure and commerce. Watch your arcs, use your superior firepower and tactics and bring all your team home.

Good luck.

AFTER ACTION REPORT

Both Teams debussed from their choppers at around the same time. Danger Team's INFIL did not go unnoticed and drew fire pretty much as soon as they headed out after securing their LZ. They quickly dealt with that contact and co-ordinated a new FUP (Form Up Point) to meet up with Engage Team.

After meeting up without incident, the conbined force moved out together to get eyes on the enemy compound. Time was pressing in on them and they had to move on the compound quickly without much time to plan their assault. Danger moved in from the south across a creek system while Engage attacked from the west with a recon element sniping from the north. Both assaulting teams were beaten back with heavy casualties and soon the whole attack stalled and became a long range firing contest. Both teams called in a RESUP (Resupply) to get any wounded out and collect water and ammunition and reinforcements.

After a bit of a rest, the teams finally co-ordinated an aggressive assault on the south and west sides of the compound and had soon cleared it of enemy personnel. Same random sniping continued as the coaltion troops took time to hydrate and rest at the compound while the commanders conferred with themselves and HQ for further INTEL. Engage questioned a local farmer found at the compound who said he was aware of 2 locations he had seen enemy weapons stored near the compound. 1 location was to the far east near a large water tower, while the other was to the west near a boatshed.

This INTEL was referred to HQ who ordered the teams to split up and assigned 1 team to each location to move on it simultaneously so as not to allow any communication from 1 site to the other.

Engage Team managed to fight their way to the water tower and found a large weapons cache on the reverse side of the ridge. Soon after they had cleared the ridgeline of enemy fighters, they were attacked for a large force of taliban who managed to push them off the ridge forcing them to arrange a CASEVAC to RESUP to the south.

Danger Team moved on the 2nd location and found signs of a recently moved cache and after some good searching recovered some US issued C4 explosives. These items were confirmed to have been taken from a convoy that was ambushed earlier this month in the area. Danger Team was ordered to move to another location reported to be another possible cache site with instructions to use the captured C4 to destroy any munitions found. As Danger moved to get an OP on this 3rd location, they came under heavy fire from taliban defending the site but pushed forward aggressively.

Both teams were having a hard time clearing their respective objectives and had to call in multiple RESUPPLY missions to evacuate their casualties and collect water and ammunition and replacement personnel.

Both locations were eventually cleared and were ordered to locate a private contracting SUV which had just been ambushed with a roadside IED to their south. Both teams were ordered to recover the 2 contractors that were now fighting for their lives.

Danger managed to move out 1st and came into contact with a large enemy force blocking their route of advance. A large firefight developed as they pushed forward to their comrades. Engage agrued for a while with HQ as their team leader felt the dangering of their his team members was not a valid risk to ride to the aid of contactors who should have known better than to move out on a road during the day by themselves. The team leader stuck his heals in until it was revealed to him that one of the private contractors was a former member of Engage Team who had returned to Afghanistan working for a Private Aid Organisation. Engage was quick to respond by attempting to break contact with a enemy force and move south to the contractors' rescue.

By this stage the whole AO was swarming with blood hungry taliban fighters and both Danger and Engage were in contact after contact as they pushed their way south.

Eventually members of Engage managed to get to the location of the ambush only to find the driver had been killed and they themselves under fire from the ambushees now keen to draw in more coalition troops to their well planned killing ground.

The day ended with Danger Team extracting back to the FOB (Forward Operating Base) to recover from a hard days fighting and Enageg Team withdrawing from the ambush site unable to recover their comrade.

Tough day at the office boys but you did well.

Individual Feedback Summary below:

Individual Feeback has been emailed to all operators following this AAR.

AAR DAY EVOLUTION (22 NOV 08) by REAL

2008-11-28T10:13:00.001+10:00

Here is a quick AAR from one of the operatives (Real):

"Today was a 6 hour military simulation (laser skirmish), set in Afghanistan. With the heat, we had today - it just added to the realism.

It was my 4th deployment, but my first day mission and it was one of the most physically demanding things I've done in my life - and I loved every minute of it.

For those of you that don't know MilSims is a Military Simulation using 'laser' skirmish equipment (actually uses I.R. beams, and not actual lasers). Unlike paintball, the weapons have a maximum range of 150 - 200m and, unlike paintball, you don't have to put up with 'Wipers' because, when you get killed, your weapon becomes inactive. Also, unlike Paintball - I was able to play for 6 hours and it only cost me $35.

As part of Engage team (about a 10 man squad (Ed - 13 men)), our deployment started with meeting up with Danger team, before moving into position and assaulting a compound inhabited by 'Taliban', and interrogating an Afghan farmer - a Civilian - for intel. Upon clearing the compound, Engage and Danger were split once more to assault two separate locations where (thanks to the farmer's intel) there were reports of Taliban weapons cashes.

After a brief encounter with the enemy, Engage team moved off to assault the water tower at the top of a (Fucking big) hill. Engage were split with myself (Signals Officer), my C.O. and 3 scouts (one an ex army sniper) heading through fairly dense bush, to flank any defensive position that may be there. The remainder of the team moved along a fire-break and joined us in assaulting the water tower. We took some casualties - some thanks to a remotely operated IED - but called in a CasEvac (getting permission to switch on any dead players). Unfortunately the enemy, in their counter attack managed to over-run our position.

We were Resupped (Resupplied) at the hill and came under heavy fire as the enemy were still in the area. However, this time, we were able to counter, reducing their numbers to ones and twos, and were able to destroy (shoot and disable) their medic teams. While under fire we were contacted by Engage Actual (HQ) and ordered to move back down the hill to another position where 'civilian contractors' were under fire - and there were reports of casualties. My C.O. flat-out refused to evacuate our current location while under fire and we were later treated to screams and cries of help from the civilian contractor (who we knew personally) over the radio.

With the objective finally cleared, we moved back toward our Infiltration Point, whereby our 2IC (Ex army) was heading back as his hip was giving him serious grief.

While falling back we came under fire from behind as the enemy had recovered and were moving down to get some payback. At the bottom of the hill we exchanged fire, and managed to take down the majority of their force. As we moved up toward a friendly operations base, brief contact was again made from the civilian contractor, and, while under fire from behind, our 2ic and myself rushed forward to perform an extraction. We were joined by three more of Engage, before I was killed.

Engage managed to rescue the contractor and we made it back to base pretty much intact.

However, we were all sitting around talking about the last 6 hours we'd all been through when we noticed the Engage 2IC was in a very bad way. Before long he was passed out. A number of First Aid guys attended to him and tried to cool him with some 'room temperature' tap water. He then went into a seizure. By this time an ambulance had already been called. After recovering from his fit, he then stood up and began vomiting water, before storming off, despite the efforts of his team-mates and friends. He was moved into the shade, and I opted to walk to the end of the track and wait for the Ambulance - should they need flagging down. The medics didn't stay too long - I guess he'd recovered somewhat, but refused attention.

When I last saw him, he was looking like shit - totally exhausted, but upright and walking around.

Bare in mind that last weekend I 'popped' my knee - a minor dislocation with ligament damage - and was only today able to walk somewhat normally. There were a couple of times today when I seriously thought I was NOT going to make it, but for some stupid reason, I pushed on all the same.

Guys, If you get a chance to play MilSims - do it. It's like Battlefield 2 - only 100% more realistic because you're the one carrying the gun, and the water, and getting your feet wet in streams..."

Thanks for the great report Real!

AAR NIGHT MISSION (1 NOV 08)

2008-11-03T08:03:00.007+10:00

After Action Report and Results for deployment 1 Nov 2008

1800hrs November 1, 2008 – Afghanistan Turin Khot Valley – Danger and Engage Platoons

Welcome gentlemen. Australian SAS have been tracking a number of bomb makers moving through our AO over the past few months. They have asked for our assistance in gathering further INTEL in the next 24hrs starting with a number of tasks to be performed tonight.

Your teams will be move out from the FOB on foot to respective starting positions. Danger will operate to the East while Engage operated in the West. Once given the green light to move out, you are to move on your 1st objective and locate and observe 2 possible actionable INTEL items. Once HQ has enough information, you are to then move on to the next objective and do the same. When HQ approves all the INTEL received, you are to EXFIL from the AO back to the FOB on foot.

Briefing for Danger Team

Danger Objectives:

Objective Odin at R24
* We need the make, model and registration of a white ute that arrived a few days ago. We believe this may be the transport for one of the high profile targets on our list.
* We picked up strong signals from the area this morning and need you to locate and report in a description of any electronic surveillance equipment in and around that site.

Objective Zeus at AA16
* Reported weapons cache site. Locate and report numbers and types of weapons located. You also need to report numbers of personnel and weapons if being defended or watched.

Enemy
Watch you ROE. You are unsupported in this operation so you need to use stealth and superior tactics. Any losses will be completely unacceptable. Return fire only if you have to.

Support
INFIL at X19 and EXFIL at V23 will be by foot from FOB Robertson.
CASEVAC is available on request and is designated “Chester 1”.

Do not take any unnecessary risks. You have about 60 minutes to get it done. Good luck.

Briefing for Engage Team

Engage Objectives:

Objective Zeus at AA16
* Reported weapons cache site. Locate and report numbers and types of weapons located. You also need to report numbers of personnel and weapons if being defended or watched.

Objective Odin at R24
* We need the make, model and registration of a white ute that arrived a few days ago. We believe this may be the transport for one of the high profile targets on our list.
* We picked up strong signals from the area this morning and need you to locate and report in a description of any electronic surveillance equipment in and around that site.

Enemy
Watch you ROE. You are unsupported in this operation so you need to use stealth and superior tactics. Any losses will be completely unacceptable. Return fire only if you have to.

Support
INFIL at X19 and EXFIL at V23 will be by foot from FOB Robertson.
CASEVAC is available on request and is designated “Chester 1”.

Do not take any unnecessary risks. You have about 60 minutes to get it done. Good luck.

Results:

Team Scores Round 1

Team Scores Round 2

Operators Scores Round 1

Operators Scores Round 2

(full individual scores have been emailed directly to each operator)

AAR NIGHT MISSION (25 OCT 08)

2008-10-27T13:57:00.002+10:00

After Action Report for Night Mission October 25th

1800hrs October 25, 2008 – Khandahar Valley – Danger Platoon

Welcome gentlemen. Last month a contractor convoy was ambushed by the Taliban while passing through the valley with medical and schooling supplies for the locals. 3 private contractors were killed and 3 others wounded from multiple roadside OEDs and small arms and RPG fire.

Australian SASR who have been operating the area most of this year, have identified the group responsible and have been observing their movements and associations. Operations have put together a number of raids and arrests which will be actioned tonight simultaneously across our AO that will see the end of this group and safer convoy passage.

Your force has been assigned to provide overwatch for an arms delivery to a local militia group loyal to the coalition. A French national on the CIA payroll will be making the delivery with a personal escort of private contractors. You are to move to your choice of location for the delivery, either OP Mars at grid Romeo 22 near a boatshed or OP Venus at grid Zulu 17 near the concrete water tank. Deploy your team so this delivery is made without incident and then exfil your team using either LZ Alpha at grid Quebec 30 or LZ Bravo at grid November 27. Consider all contacts outside of the delivery to be hostile.

Enemy
Watch you ROE. This valley is home to a lot of Afghans sympathetic to the Karzai government and to the coalition effort. As with most Taliban that may be operating in our AO, expect them to be heavily armed with automatic rifles, rpgs and lmgs and well trained.

Support
INFIL and EXFIL will be on foot.
CASEVAC is available on request and is designated “Chester 2”.

This should be a simple babysitting op. You have about 60 minutes to get it done. Good luck.

AAR for Danger Team

Danger team moved out to link up with the delivery at the location they chose. The arms dealer was not happy to be dictated to but eventually agreed to move his vehicles. His security team spread out and covered the militia group and their leader as the delivery began to unfold. Danger Team was nowhere to be seen. A miscommunication had occurred and the French Arms Dealer had arranged for the delivery to be made at the alternate location, instead of the location the Danger Team had chosen. This meant the delivery was being made with no overwatch security.

As the delivery vehicles were driven right up to the side of the warehouse, they we unable to spot the oncoming enemy force. During the delivery as the militia and private contractors were staring each other down, enemy gunmen burst from the shadows on the west side of the warehouse and ordered all to stand down and surrender. A shot was fired. Close quarters battle with automatic rifles and LSWs can be devastating and within seconds a number of bodies were on the ground. A massive firefight ensued with multiple casualties on both sides. Danger Team who had just arrived on scene as the opening shots were heard, sprung into action putting their instinct and training to play. Soon they had reached and secured the delivery site as the enemy force withdraw under fire, still managing to recover their dead and wounded as they went.

As Danger Team recovered and completed the securing of the delivery point, a second enemy force struck from the north with deadly accurate sniper and machine gun fire. A number of Danger Team members were wounded in that opening volley as the reinforced enemy force from the west attacked again. After a long and drawn out fight, both enemy forces withdrew into the night taking their wounded and dead with them.

The delivery was completed successfully.

Later in the night Danger team was retasked to move on a newly acquired target. A French National known to the coalition as a very successful arms dealer was seen in the area. Based on profiling his efforts to date, command produced 2 locations they needed Danger to check out. Should they come across the dealer, they were to arrest all involved and exfil from the area with the dealer. A security team from Executive Outcomes were tagging along to assist and take control of any other enemy captured in the op.

Danger moved cautiously and purposefully towards their 1st objective. As the team stopped and set up a secure perimeter, the scout group emerged from the bush to report nothing sighted at the objective. Danger Team Leader then called in his command group and set about planning the approach to the team’s second objective. After a short while, the whole team moved out in formation with the Scout group again deployed forward. Danger team moved up a vehicle track towards their objective, studying the terrain in front and to their side for any sign of ambush. The call to halt was heard. The scout group had identified a couple of gunmen to their left front and set about planning their elimination. As they opened up on their targets, the rest of a full squad responded and soon the scout group were outgunned and outnumbered.

Danger had to move up to assist their comrades or provide support to help them withdraw. As the remainder of Danger team hunkered down to prepare to resist any advance by the enemy, the small EO team moved ahead to link up and support the scouts. A heavy firefight developed resulting in all forces withdrawing from the area with heavy losses.

1800hrs October 25, 2008 – Khandahar Valley – Engage Platoon

Welcome gentlemen. Last month a contractor convoy was ambushed by the Taliban while passing through the valley with medical and schooling supplies for the locals. 3 private contractors were killed and 3 others wounded from multiple roadside OEDs and small arms and RPG fire.

Australian SASR who have been operating the area most of this year, have identified the group responsible and have been observing their movements and associations. Of particular interest is a French national they have identified as a particularly successful arms dealer who is supplying this and other groups with high tech weaponry and equipment. His name is Ali Ahmed Ali.

Operations have put together a number of raids and arrests which will be actioned tonight simultaneously across our AO that will see the end of this group and the arms dealer and a number of other associated targets.

Your force has been assigned to assist in the capture of the French arms dealer. You will be inserted by chopper to LZ Alpha at grid Quebec 30. You will need to check 2 possible locations this deal may take place – Objective Mars at grid Romeo 22 near a boatshed or Objective Venus at grid Zulu 17 near the concrete water tank. You are authorized to capture or kill anyone involved in the arms deal but the dealer should be taken alive if at all possible. Assisting you in your operation is a security team from Executive Outcomes who will take over responsibility of removing any Taliban you capture as your focus is the dealer. Once the area is secure, you are to EXFIL using either LZ Alpha or LZ Bravo at grid November 27 to extract your team and the dealer. Consider all contacts hostile.

Enemy
Watch you ROE. This valley is home to a lot of Afghanis sympathetic to the Karzai government and to the coalition effort. As with most Taliban, expect them to be heavily armed with automatic rifles, rpgs and lmgs and well trained.

Support
INFIL and EXFIL will be by a pair of pavelow choppers from 160 SOAR and are designated “Watchman”.
CASEVAC is available on request and is designated “Chester 1”.

This should be a simple in and out op. You have about 60 minutes to get it done. Good luck.

AAR for Engage Team

Engage team linked up with their Executive Outcome escort shorting after they INFIL to the AO. Even though a member of EO brought NVGs, Engage failed to make use of them, keeping their associates to the rear of the formation.

It didn't take long for Engage to locate the arms deal. Engage Team Leader put together a quick plan to hold the EO team in the rear on the left where they could use their NVGs and Sniper rifle to pin to suppress and support the right, while a majority of the section attacked from the right.

The resulting firefight was messy but a witness confirms that Engage soldiers moved pass a couple of buildings and called for all involved in the arms deal to halt what they were doing. Someone fired a shot and everyone in the immediate vacinity sought cover and opened fire.

The covering force on the left heard the gunfire and began moving up to support their comrades and was suddenly itself under heavy fire. After a long time of inaction by both sides, apart from a random burst of automatic fire here and there, Engage team gathered their members and withdraw to arrange a resupply.

After the resupply, Engage split their force into a pinning team made up of the 3 EO operators and the section's SAW Gunner who would move further left and pin the enemy from across a large dam, and the remainder of Engage team who would again attempt an attack to the right of the buildings.

This plan worked well and the pinning team accounted for a large number of casualties to the enemy as the assaulting team worked it way forward. In the ensuing action, the assaulting team was met by a wall of lead and took casualties and eventually had to withdraw from the contact. they met up with their pinning group and withdrew to their EXFIL LZ.

Later that night, Engage Team was ordered to provide overwatch for another medical supplies delivery being made by Red Cross personnel to a small village high in the range. After being on location without incident, Engage decided to spread their picket line further to the west and ran into a large enemy force advancing from that location. A large and ferocious fight errupted which gave the aid workers the warning and extra time they needed to complete their delivery and return home.

Eventually, the enemy force was repelled and Engage gathered their wounded and equipment and withdrew back up the range to arrange their EXFIL.

Overall Results:

Round 1 Team Results:

Round 2 Team Results:

Round 1 Operator Results:

Round 2 Operator Results :

(Full individual results emailed directly to each operator)

AAR NIGHT MISSION (4 OCT 08)

2008-10-05T14:07:00.000+10:00

1800hrs October 4, 2008 – 5 miles Northwest of Suva Reka, Kosovo

Welcome gentlemen. As you may be aware, an US A6 Intruder went down in the no fly zone a few hours ago while flying intelligence gathering mission. SAR teams attempted a recovery of Navigator 2 hours ago but there was no sign of the pilot and they were taking small arms ground fire and had to abort. A new search was about to be initiated when we got word from an intelligence source among the villagers in our AO that they had seen a man in a flight suit alive to the east. We believe this to be the pilot. The only key location we know of out that way is a water tank that we have designated Objective Pontiac at grid Zulu 17.

A6 Intruders similar to the one that crashed in the no-fly zone.

Now that general locations of both men are known, we have a green light to insert Special Forces units to locate and extract both airmen in 2 simultaneous operations. Danger will recover the Pilot while Engage will recover the Navigator.

Enemy
The no fly zone of our AO is a particulary hostile and unruly area or Kosovo. Expect well armed and experienced militia groups and criminal elements. Use stealth as much as you can and don’t be afraid to break contact to try again using a different route or tactic. The majority of equipment you will come up against will soviet and European style ARs and LMGs with an RPG or 2. Regard all contacts as hostile.

The location of FOB Marsden at the foot of the range in Kosovo

DANGER TEAMS BRIEF

Your team is to be dropped into the AO to link up with the informant, gather any updated INTEL he can provide and move out to locate the pilot for recovery.

You will INFIL by helo to LZ Alpha at grid Tango 27. Secure your LZ and move out to Objective Mercer at grid Uniform 23 to meet up with the Informant. He will be unarmed and wearing a middle eastern Shemagh. Once you have any updated INTEL he can provide, you are required to move to locate the pilot. You must then hold your position and await extraction by the SAR Teams. Based on the INTEL we have to date you should be on the ground for no longer than 60 minutes. You will need to move swiftly and stealthily. Your INFIL will most likely awaken militia forces currently encamped around the Foot Bridge to your west at grid November 22. They may actually already be on the move towards the pilot if they are aware of his predicament.

You have 2 CASEVACs available should you need them for RESUPPLY.

Comms Designations:
Danger Teams will be designated Danger 1 on radio channel 20.
CASEVAC and RESUP is available from our south and is designated “Chester 6”.

Good luck gentlemen.

DANGER TEAMS AFTER ACTION REPORT

ROUND 1:

All teams headed out on time for their insertion by helicopter. Danger Team debussed 1st and secured their LZ (LZ Alpha). They were soon off up the hill towards Objective Mercer to meet the village informant.

The informant confirmed their initial target location of Objective Pontiac being the location the pilot was last seen and he was alone. Danger scouts went forward and guided the team up through the rough terrain until they got eyes on the massive water tank that is designated Objective Pontiac.

The only sound to be heard was from a TV at a farm nearby, as Danger Teams' Scouts cautiously advanced in the Objective. After a few minutes at the location, they fell back to the rest of the team and whole team advanced up to secure the water tank. As the team leader set about organising an all round defence, the Pilot came out from his hiding place and was checked over by the team's medic.

The team was instructed to hold for helo extraction but the team leader decided it was too risky a spot and arranged an alternate extraction point.

Swifty the team moved back down the hill with the Pilot and was extracted without a single shot fired.

Perfect Mission. Well done Danger Team.

ROUND 2:

Danger Team was then assigned the follow up operation to locate and recover the Navigator. Moving swiftly they located the village informant who directed them to a location high in the hills to the the east. About half way up those hills, the team's scouts identified movement to the team's front and the team deployed for an ambush.

They did not have to wait long. A militia group were making their way down the hills with the Navigator and firefight ensued forcing the militia group to withdraw back up the hill.

Danger pursued, constantly aware that any step could return the favour of a well planned ambush. As they reached the top they lost sight of the enemy force and stopped to observe for a few minutes. Once again the scout group moved forward and was greeted with heavy fire from some dark undergrowth over the crest of the hill. Danger Team was sent reeling and was immediately evacuated from the area with a number of casualties.

ENGAGE TEAMS BRIEF

Your team is to be dropped into the AO to link up with the informant, gather any updated INTEL he can provide and move out to locate and recover the Navigator.

You will INFIL by helo to LZ Charlie at grid Oscar 25. Secure your LZ and move out to Objective Mercer at grid Uniform 23 to meet up with the Informant. He will be unarmed and wearing a middle eastern Shemagh. Once you have any updated INTEL he can provide, you are required to move to locate and recover the navigator and get him and your team back to one of two LZs for extraction. The LZ you choose for extraction is your choice. Based on the INTEL we have to date you should be in and out within 60 minutes. You will need to move swiftly and stealthily. Your INFIL will most likely awaken militia forces currently encamped around the Water Tanks to your east. They may actually already be on the move towards the navigsator if they are aware of his predicament.

You also have 2 CASEVACs available should you need them for RESUPPLY.

EXFIL at LZ Alpha at grid Tango 27 or LZ Bravo at grid Quebec 22.

Comms Designations:
Engage Teams will be designated Engage 2 on radio channel 30.
CASEVAC and RESUP is available from our south and is designated “Chester 6”.

Good luck gentlemen.

ENGAGE TEAMS AFTER ACTION REPORT

ROUND 1:

Just as Danger Team was inserting at LZ Alpha for the Pilot, Engage Team was being inserted by helo to LZ Charlie on the southern side of the river that cuts the AO into 2.

Engage was plagued with bad comms and dogdey compass bearings which led to a wrong turn and the team crossed the river and arrived at the the edge of a large refugee camp. Just as stealthily as they had arrived, the team withdrew and recrossed the river only to find they were missing one of their team.

Considerable time was lost locating their missing team member, and once found, they expedited their journey to the target area and was about 1/2 way up the hill range when they learned off Danger teams successful extraction and were themselves pulled out by chopper.

Better luck next time Engage.

ROUND 2:

As Danger were reinserted to locate the Navigator, Engage were dropped at LZ Alpha to attempt the location and recovery of the pilot.

Acting on INTEL from the village informant, they managed to locate the Pilot early and dug in to defend their extraction point. After a short time, Engage Team Leader decided the area was too hot for extraction and arranged an alternative location with his HQ.

As the team made their way down the range with the Pilot, they nearly fell into an ambush by a militia force who managed to force the team to withdraw back to their original location.

Knowing the enemy force were hot on their heels, Engage then deployed a defensive line in some dark terrain on the crest of the range and waited for a chance to repel the attackers and secure their own extraction.

20 minutes passed and they sprang their trap due to perfect noise and movement discipline and the enemy showing themselves as sillouettes on the skyline. Great tactics by Engage!

The enemy force received a bloody nose and a short lull in the fighting enabled Engage Team and the Pilot to extract by helo while under moderate small arms fire.

Well done Engage!

Scores show Danger Team winning the 1st Round with a perfect score while Engage recovers in the 2nd Round to draw the overall mission.

Individual scores for those that downloaded okay. Full Individual Scoring is emailed to each operator directly.

AAR NIGHT MISSION (6 SEP 08)

2008-09-07T18:13:00.001+10:00

0600hrs September 6, 2008 – 40 miles south of Baghdad on the southwestern edge of An Najaf

Welcome gentlemen.

As you may be aware, the US 3Rd Infantry Division is advancing on Baghdad on our left as part of the 2 pronged attack with 1 MEU on our right. 2nd BCT from 3ID is bypassing the 1st BCT to our immediate left and will be skirting around the city of An Najaf immediately to our north. 1st BCT has been engaging Iraqi Republican Guard units and elements of Baddhist and Fedayeen fighters for the past 24 hours. Most of these attacks have originated from within An Najaf. The main route of attack is bypassing An Najaf because it is such a large and ancient city with very tight roads that sound disaster for our armour and also because of its spiritual significance to Shiite Muslims.

Therefore, as 2nd BCT cordons the west side of the city and moves past it altogether, we need your teams to move into the western outskirts of An Najaf and eliminate any troop buildups before they can organize themselves to launch assaults out to our flanks.

You are to INFIL at grid Alpha 17. Then move to a number of Phase Lines, slightly forward of the parallel advance of 2nd BCT in order to locate and destroy anyone planning to ambush the route of advance.

Phase Line Sabre is located from grid Golf 7 to Kilo 15 and must be cleared before reporting in to HQ and getting approval to move on the next objective.
Phase Line Sword is located from grid Juliet 4 to Oscar 14 and must be cleared before reporting in to HQ and getting approval to move on the next objective.
Phase Line Scimitar is located from grid Romeo 2 to Uniform 11 and must be cleared before reporting in to HQ and getting approval to move on the next objective.

EXFIL at grid Victor 6.

You have 60 minutes to clear all 3 Phase Lines.

Enemy
We are certain that most of any conventional force located in the area has already been engaged and destroyed. What remains is a constant stream of Baddhist and Fedayeen reinforcements trickling into the city from the north. Eventually this will be blocked as 2nd BCT get around the western side of the city and close off its northern approaches as it continues north to Baghdad. Expect a lot of unconventional militia types heavily armed with Soviet and European ARs, LMGs and RPGs. They also have access to Mortars but are not very well trained in their use and are often taken out by counter battery fire relatively quickly.

Comms Designations:
Danger Teams will be designated Danger 1 and Danger 2. Engage Teams will be designated Engage 3 and Engage 4.
QRF is available from A Company from 1/3rd Cavalry in Bradley IVFs which are currently resting as part of 1st BCT heavily engaged yesterday. They are tired and need rest but will ride out to assist if required.
You also have access to high priority mortars from 1/3rd Cavalry’s heavy weapons sections. They designation is “Rainfire”.
CASEVAC and RESUP is available from our south. Their designated callsign is “Maverick”.
Good luck gentlemen

AFTER ACTION REPORT

At 0600hrs 4 Special Forces teams moved off at prior to sunrise into the western edges of An Najaf city. This force split into 2 combat teams named “Danger” teams made up of Danger 1 and Danger 2 and “Engage” teams made up of Engage 3 and Engage 4. Each team had a full 9 man compliment and were armed to the teeth.

Engage Teams
Engage teams had trouble locating their INFIL point but eventually got the go ahead from HQ to move onto the 1st Phase Line. They encountered heavy contacts shortly after getting eyes on Phase Line Sabre and spent close to 30 minutes trying to break in to clear the objective. Such was the intensity of the defense that by the time they started making progress, 2nd BCT had already reached their Northwestern objectives and were moving East to close of the northern approaches to the city.
Engage teams were now no longer needed but they did manage to tie up a large portion of enemy combatants during their firefights and thus contributed greatly to the ease at which 2nd BCT were able to bypass the city as planned.

Danger Teams
Danger teams moved out to their INFIL point with some very clear plans in place. They moved off to the 1st objective efficiently, using cover and shadows and moving in depth to react with force to any contacts made. They did this on a number of occasions with great results.
Danger managed to clear Phase Line Sabre by about 0630hrs but then got bogged down and stagnant so that by the time 2nd BCT called off all the teams at 0700hrs, they had to break off from heavy contact around Phase Line Sword to allow a safe EXFIL.

Losses
At 0700hrs, all 4 teams were extracted from An Najaf with heavy losses to both Engage teams and only minor losses to Danger teams.

Scores
Round 1 – Engage Teams’ attack scored -500pts
Round 2 – Danger Teams’ attack scored +250pts

OBSERVATIONS

A lot of contacts resulted in some really assertive, aggressive and well communicated contacts.
Even though most of the time the 2 teams on each side separated, it was observed that some were using subgroups such as gun, command, rifle and scout groups.
Challenging Procedure was observed in some teams, although as the mission wore on, some of there were compromised and let to some disastrous results to one team.
1 side was observed to have considerable numbers in command control so that any contact could be met with massive firepower and overwhelmed well. This was witnessed on a number of occasions with good results.
Some members of teams had no idea what their attack of defensive plan was overall. This could either be due to not passing on the plan down the line or not ensuring all members were clear on their role in the plans.
Some attacks were too piecemeal which resulted in confusion and bad results.
Teams assets should always be in a command group with the Team Leader or at least close by for greater flexibility. Some occasions occurred where a number of Casevacs were needed but the Medic or Sig was MIA.
Plan and communicate your fallback points, rally points and/or future Casevac points. This is essential for casualties to gather in order to have cleaner and quicker Casevacs.
Don’t be afraid to withdraw from a contact. 1 team was observed fighting for their lives while engaged on 3 sides. No go! This is a fast way to fill body bags.
Team Roles such as Team Leaders, Squad Leaders, Signalers and Medics can still perform their role even when dead from an admin point of view. Obviously they can’t tell their teammates where the enemy is spotted but they can push their team and give guidance. Medics can’t heal teammates but they can facilitate the Casevac with the Squad or Team Leader and the Signaler with HQ.
Avoid milling around and chatting after a Casevac is performed. 1 side was observed having a majority of their team mates revived and chatting around for a while only to come under heavy fire. Determined firepower into such a condensed target area will lead to heavy casualties.
Perform headcounts often. It was observed that a member from the opposing side was milling around with a large group of the other team. Not on! Know who is on your side and following your challenging procedure.
Some top effort was observed considering a lot of those attending were on their 1st, 2nd or 3rd MilSims event.

WELL DONE

Well done to all and feel free to post or email or call through with any feedback, suggestions or battlereports.

Location: Helensvale

2008-09-03T17:21:00.004+10:00

HELENSVALE STATE HIGH SCHOOL - Discovery Drive, Helensvale

Click here for the above image on google maps

AAR EVOLUTION 14 (16 AUG 08)

2008-08-19T13:25:00.003+10:00

2 Special Forces Teams, Danger Team and Engage Team, were assigned the hunt for Serbian General Komas. General Komas is wanted by the UN and The Hague for war crimes charges while working with Serbian President Karadzic who was captured last month. Intelligance groups pointed to a small sector south of Markans in Serbia.

August 16, 2008 – Serbia, Sandakan Province, 100miles south of Markans

Operation Scalpel – Danger Teams

DANGER TEAM BRIEFING

Welcome to the south Markans sector of Sandakan Province, Serbia. With the capture of ex President Karadzic last month we now are shifting to locating and capturing his offsider General Komas. Komas was the head of the Armed Forces during Karadzic’s reign and working closely with him as they both conducted war crimes and ethnic cleansing and genocide during the Bosnia-Serbian war in the 90s.

CIA assets have tracked Komas to this area and your team has been brought in due to your unique set of reconnaissance and operational skills and experience. This area contains a mixture of civilians trying to rebuild a war torn country, local militia, criminal elements and armed paramilitary loyal to Komas. Not everyone you come across is hostile so remember your ROEs. Reconnaissance is going to be the key to any success today. Collateral Damage will cost you dearly.

Komas is known to wear a light blue cap and you need to bring him out alive. That is your primary objective.

Enemy
Any enemy encountered will be either armed militia who may or may not be hostile towards you; members of criminal and smuggling groups operating in the area who may or may not be hostile; or any number of paramilitary groups who may or may not be loyal to Komas and the previous government. Remember your ROE and you should be okay.

Comms Designations:
Danger Teams will be designated Danger 1 and Danger 2.
Danish Marines in Puma light armored vehicles are on the UN QRF rotation currently and are available should things get out of control. With the terrain we have in this sector though, you will need to be good at breaking contact rather than relying on QRF to ride to your rescue.

CASEVAC and RESUP is available in the form of French Chinooks operating out of UN Base Fontenoy to our north. Their designated callsign is “Montaigne”.

Operational Detail:
Danger Teams will INFIL at LZ Alpha at grid Victor 26. You may need to secure your INFIL before moving out. You will then be moving out to Objective Sword to your north where you will meet up with a local informant. He will provide you with hard INTEL on the target. Report in to HQ once your INFIL is secure for any further INTEL we may have.

Good luck gentlemen

DANGER TEAM AAR

Danger Team immediately ran into trouble. Their LZ was dangerously close to what appeared to be a raging gun battle between 2 militia groups. Danger Team Leader chose a new position close by to put the choppers down and soon the team were inserted and secure. After updated INTEL from HQ, Danger moved north across a creek to began their climb to the heights that dominate the sector’s centre. The team was wrought with navigational problems which included a compass that did not work and a radio operator that got separated from the team. After a little time, Danger Team Leader was able to report in that his whole team was together and was currently observing the area around the dam.

HQ confirmed the location of the informant to meet with, but them tasked the team to locate and eliminate a sniper that was operating close to them. Local forces loyal to the UN mission in Serbia have been receiving fire from a determined gunman using the heights to take pot shots at locals and police. 2 people had been shot in the past hour and they requested UN forces to assist in finding and silencing the sniper.

As Danger cautiously moved closer to the reported location of the sniper, they began to take fire. After a short gunfight, the area was cleared and Danger Team recommenced their move north to locate the Informant.

The Informant had moved. With his village overrun with militia hostile to the UN, he and a few of his associates had relocated to the west. The new location was sent through to Danger Team and soon they 2 groups were facing off each other and making small talk. Because the Informant was unknown to the militia to be working for the CIA, a cover story was initiated between the informant and Danger Team’s Leader. Danger Team soon had the INTEL they required and withdrew from the area as quickly as they could. The informant had told Danger Team Leader that General Komas has been seen only hours earlier to the East of the Dam. He also had hard intelligence that a very high profile target was working an arms deal on a dirt track to the south. Danger Team was torn between whether to move on the Dam for Komas or to intercept the arms deal and prevent more materiel being used against their fellow soldiers.

Danger Team Leader decided to move on the Arms deal from the north. Their 1st attempt saw half of their team killed and they had to withdraw and await a CASEVAC for Resupply. Once recovered they move moved on the arms deal again. Luckily the parties in the arms deal had decided the deal was too good to abort after being discovered and had just reconvened proceedings. This time Danger Team managed to eliminate a number of gunmen from both sides of the deal, force others to run and captured the instigator of the deal, General Komas himself.

Danger radioed HQ to confirm they had Komas and headed west to LZ Bravo for their EXFIL by chopper, acutely aware they were being tracked heavily by a large militia force determined to recover Komas.

Superior movement and evasion skills meant Danger Team along with General Komas were all safely extracted and returned to FOB Fontenoy.

ENGAGE TEAM AAR

Engage Team managed to INFIL without incident to LZ Alpha at grid Mike 20. Although their target location was to their north, they needed to move south and then east to cross the river that separated the AO down the middle. As they reached the river they came under fire from a small group of gunmen who quickly withdrew once the firepower of Engage Team was unleashed. With a number of casualties, Engage Team called in a CASEVAC and they were quickly Resupplied and on their way again. To assist their fellow team members in Danger Team in their hunt for a sniper, Engage moved on the location of the sniper from the north but were unsuccessful in location him.

The informant for Danger Team also needed to update Engage Team on the INTEL he had and so Engage Team was directed to the new location of the informant on the west bank of the river. After receiving the INTEL on Komas and the arms deal, a firefight broke out between Engage Team members and members of the informants group. Both teams leaders managed to disengage their teams but not after a number of casualties were inflicted on both sides.

Engage Team called in another CASEVAC and Resupplied before heading out for the Dam to find Komas. As the Dam was secured and no sign of Komas was found, Engage heard gunfire nearby and observed a botched arms deal come to a bloody conclusion with most of it’s participants dead or fleeing. Engage Team Leader decided to let enough along and continue the search for Komas and not get involved.

It was at this time, Engage Team were notified that the botched arms deal had resulted in one of the local militia groups taking Komas captive and attempting to flee to the Red Zone to the west. Engage was ordered to pursue the enemy force and recover Komas.

After a short while, Danger Team had managed to recover Komas and both teams were able to EXFIL from the AO at their respective LZs.

Well done Danger and Engage Teams.

MILSIMS AT THE MOVIES

2008-08-08T08:17:00.002+10:00

After the success of the night out earlier in the year to see the recent Rambo movie, we have decided to get together again this month for a meal and the movie Tropic Thunder.

A Poll was set up on the Laser Forums http://www.laserforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=227 to see whether it will be to the advance session on Monday August 18 at 2100hrs or later when the movie is released.

Stay tuned for more details.

AAR NIGHT MISSION (2 AUG 08) BY CLOWN

2008-08-05T06:43:00.002+10:00

1800 EST 2 August, 2008
Border skirmish
Raid on listening post
Teams, Danger - Engage

Scenario:A listening post on the border is using sophisticated technology believed to be supplied by Russian military. A CIA agent was sent in to recon the target, but has not been in contact with HQ. Most of the troops have left the listening post with only a small detatchment left to guard and operate the equipment.Offensive team are charged with the following mission objectives:
1) Collect any equipment that implicates the Russians.
2) Ascertain the whereabouts of the CIA agent and extract.
Tertiary objectives:
3) Terminate any troops in the vicinity.
4) Exfiltrate with as few casualties as possible.

Fun Fact: This was the first briefing in recent history in which there were no Unintended (ed: Accidental) Discharges!

Round One: Danger Team defending.
In the first round danger team set up troops hidden in ambush waiting for the enemy attack. Troops were stationed loosely around the listening post taking advantage of natural obstacles and geography. A roving patrol drew the short straw and were sent to patrol the vicinity. First contact.
A small detatchment of Engage team stumbled upon the patrol and made short work of them. However being close to the listening post retaliation was swift and brutal. Danger casualties were quickly and professionally removed and were respawned.Final confrontation.
The entire force from Engage made a frontal assault through a small corridor between two hedges of lantana. Many casualties were sustained on both sides due to the massive amounts of suppressing fire laid out by Engage's brave SAW gunner (3 respawns. top score for the night). The entire Engage team were slaughtered and were unable to CASEVAC before the final whistle was blown. Special mention to the CIA agent who defected and killed several of his wouldbe rescuers.
Objectives:
1) FAILED
2) FAILED
3) FAILED
4) FAILED
Danger won a decisive victory in both objectives and frags.
Engage laughed when Danger were told they gained 90/1000 points.
Danger laughed when Engage were informed they gained -620/1000 points.

Round Two: Danger Team assaulting.
In the second round Danger team decided not to fall for the mistake Engage made in the first round by charging through the charnel of what became known as the "bottle neck". The tactics decided on was a single trooper was to assault through the thick scrub in a diversion, while the rest of the team attacked via the rear of the listening post.
The Diversion
Upon approaching the bush entrance one of the defenders accidentally had an Unintentended Discharge and alerted the team to their location. The Scrub diversion was abandoned in favour of a diversion through the "bottle neck". The diversion didn't go as planned, and before he knew it the suicidal distraction had infiltrated the listening post. Instead of opening fire on enemies who were 5 meters away the diversion became an extraction. The primary objective was exfiltrated and hidden outside the listening post.
The Assault
Danger team did an excellent job of sneaking behind the listening post and assaulting from the rear. Team leader Chopper identified "The silhouettes of two dimwits with guns over their shoulders" and ordered his team to open fire. The assault was short, fast and thorough, however the primary objective was nowhere to be found. Upon confirmation of the extraction of the primary objective the team exfiltrated via the "bottle neck" in order to make a full sweep of the area. A friendly who had infiltrated the post from that end was unfortunately shot in a case of mistaken identity.
The Comedy
The extraction point was reached with no event, and the primary objective was secured. HQ was contacted with the good news:
HQ - Did you complete the objective?
Sig - Yep. We got the case to the LZ.
HQ - Did you complete the secondary objective?
Sig - Confirming... Yep! we killed 'em all.
HQ - That was the tertiary objective!
Sig - Enlighten me on the Secondary objective please.
HQ - The CIA agent with the blue hat?
Sig - Confirming... Yep! we killed 'em all.
HQ - You were supposed to rescue him!
Sig - Re-filtrating for extraction of the corpse.
HQ - It's too late now!
Sig - C'mon Ace! we still have 30 minutes to complete the objective.
The Bloodbath
Danger went for a frontal assault through the "Bottle neck" just to prove that it could be done. The plan was send an advance scout to infiltrate the post and create a flank inside the bottle neck. The scout crept ahead of the line and was promptly shot by a member of Danger team. A second member rushed forward for an assisted evacuation and was also fragged. Team medic moved forward and respawned them both on the spot and all three were promptly shot again. Danger team decided to regroup before assaulting the post.
The Showdown
With Engage well and truly alerted to the presence of Danger and feeling as if they had just missed the biggest fire fight of the night. Danger moved through the "bottle neck" one by one. One scout made it through but failed to effectively flank the defenders before they opened fire straight through the killzone. More firepower flew through that small space in a minute than in the whol night. Only one soldier survived. The CIA agent had opened fire during the fight and was fired upon, so that objective was not completed before the whistle.
Objectives:
1) PASSED
2) FAILED
3) PASSED, PASSED.
4) DEBATABLE

Danger won, but at a massive cost.

Everyone involved had a great time. Thanks ACE and COUGAR for putting it all together. And thanks to the guys for turning up ready for a battle. Well played all!

AAR NIGHT MISSION 1 (2 AUG 08)

2008-08-04T14:55:00.004+10:00

"Gentlemen. Coy HQ are calling on your small team for an important role in tonight’s operations. We’ve picked located an enemy surveillance post on the edge of our AO. We understand they are using some fairly modern equipment, most probably the Russian made Stalvik JLD.
Your team needs to move to the area and locate the position of the listening post.
Once located, you need to formulate an assault plan and clear the location entirely of any enemy combatants.
Once cleared, you are recover any surveillance equipment found and Exfil for extraction to LZ Alpha at . If LZ Alpha is no good, use LZ Bravo at . Radio HQ to confirm your Exfil when you are underway.
You have a 60 minute window from your Infil while the majority of their force is out on a convoy up north. You need to get in, clear the site, recover the equipment, and Exfil out. Casevac may be available on request.
Primary Objective: to locate and clear enemy listening post position
Secondary Objective: to recover any surveillance equipment found at the post"

2 Teams came together for the 1st MilSims Night Mission on Sat August 2 at Samford. A different model for the session was used. A detailed mission was designed with a complex scoring system and run twice with each team being given the opportunity to be the defenders and the attackers. Points we issued based on mission objectives with points lost for mistakes and deaths.

Danger Team (Team A) defended 1st with the breifing below:

"Gentlemen. Coy HQ are pulling most of our listening post personnel onto a combined night operation to our north. They will be gone for most of the night. Your team will be left to defend the post with the aid of any local militia that may be willing to help you. We don’t expect any attack but if the enemy do decide to counter our moves this may be the place they choose to focus on. So be wary and keep to your 2 to 3 man patrols. We must not let the post fall into enemy hands.
Primary Objective: to repel any attack and retain possession of the post. If lost, counterattack and recover.
Secondary Objective: to prevent any surveillance equipment falling into enemy hands. Keep it on the operations desk at all times.
Tertiary Objective: to prevent any loss of personnel especially the local militia leader working with us named Todd Nelson. His loss would be grave for our relationship with the locals."

Engage Team (Team B) moved out to assault the listening post after they received their briefing and maps had been consulted. Engage Team Leader decided to move quietly using a vehicle road that moved north east past the objective area. After a short time on the road, the force changed to heading north west towards the listening post. Bravo team was made up of a scout and a 2 man SAW team. They were the 1st to locate an enemy picket and stealthily withdraw to plan the assault with the rest of the team.

A small clump of trees and brush was sighted on the teams right. Bravo moved to the other side of the clump in order to move directly west into the listening post and engage the enemy picket. Alpha was to move slowly north west into the listening post and catch the picket in a 90 degree crossfire. Both groups were then to move together into the listening post.

The firefight errupted to plan and forced the enemy picket back into the target area. As Engage Team moved on, it contacted a large defending force and took heavy casualties, forcing it to withdraw and call in a Casevac for resupply.

Engage Team then attempted 2 full frontal assaults but were repelled both times once the force reached a natural bottleneck in the terrain. Engage Team then had to withdraw fully as enemy forces were returning to the listening post in number. The assault window was closed and Engage Team had failed the mission.

Danger Team now attempted the scenario.

The Danger Team Leader decided to split his force into a small decoy team and an assault team. The decoy team were to move around to the east of the target area and engage any defenders in an attempt to draw in any QRF or idle defenders. The assault team were then to swiflty move in from the west and clear the listening post and recover any surveillance equipment and the informant and then Enfil.

The plan played out like clockwork. However, the informant was killed in the initial exchange of gunfire as the assault team moved in from the west. The post was cleared and a number of sensitive surveillance items were recovered and extracted to the Exfil sight.

After discovering that Todd Nelson had been killed, Danger Team decided to delay their Exfil and attempt to recover Todd's body from the listening post. This was a risky gamble to take. as they entered the post they were met with heavy fire from an enemy QRF that had arrived to investigate the contact. After a lengthy fight, Danger Team managed to clear the post again and recover Todd's body. Nothing of importance was found on the body.

Final scores:

Danger Team (Team A) 60pts out of a max 2000pts
Engage Team (Team B) -2645pts out of a max 2000pts

Location: Ripley

2008-06-05T21:35:00.000+10:00

Ripley Road past South Ripley.

Take Cunningham Highway south of Ipswich to the turnoff opposite Flinders View.
Follow Ripley Road South East as far as it takes you to get about 4km along the dirt section.
You will go over and down a small hill and hit a t-section and should see a Laser Skirmish sign. Go straight for 10m.
Staging area is on the left behind the house on your right.

FITTING FITNESS INTO YOUR DAY

2008-05-23T08:09:00.003+10:00

Check out this section of military.com for loads of info regarding getting healthy and fit. Especially this article on how to fit some exercise into a busy day.

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/health/fitting-fitness-into-your-routine

See you in the field.

AAR EVOLUTION 13 (17 MAY 08)

2008-05-20T08:26:00.014+10:00

May 17, 2008 – Tajim Sector, Green Zone, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Operation Woodpecker – Danger and Engage Teams

Welcome to Tajim sector in the green zone in Helmand province, Afghanistan. For some of you this is your 1st deployment to A-stan. Keep close to your squad leaders and you’ll be fine.

AQ and Taliban forces are on the run in this sector. We began offensive operations in this AO last month to capitalize on the loss of their local leader to a hellfire missile launched from a drone. Since then we have pretty much been fighting on our terms. We need to keep the initiative.

Today’s deployment involves a number of reconnaissance and assault movements. You will be working heavily under orders given by your C3I.

Enemy
Enemy is known to be uncons in the form of Al Qaeda and Taliban gunmen. A mixture of soviet bloc and Chinese automatic and heavy weapons. They are known to have mortars in the area. They are also known to use community and religious centres such as schools as mosques to shoot from and stash weapons. They are experienced and highly motivated often fighting to the death.

Comms Designations:
Danger and Engage Teams will be designated Danger 1 and Danger 2 and Engage 1 and Engage 2.
British Royal Marines are on QRF rotation to our rear should we bite off more than we can chew. They are a Brigade asset so think hard before calling them in as that will leave the rest of the Combat Team without a QRF.
CASEVAC and RESUP is available in the form of UK and Canadian Chinooks operating out of FOB Marshal and are designated callsign “Chester”.

MISSION DETAIL FOR DANGER TEAMS
Danger teams will be inserted by foot in the south eastern sector Quebec 30. Establish Comms with C3I when you INFIL.
Your primary objective is Phase Line Alpha which runs from the Creek at Papa 22 to the Large Water Tank at Zulu.
You are to move to Phase Line Alpha using your recon elements to gather INTEL and clear the Phase Line.
Once cleared you need to secure and recon the surrounding zones in all directions. Zone recon should centre on Quebec 18, Victor 17, Zulu 22 and Sierra 25 and extend for 50m radius.
CASEVAC is always available on request through C3I to a location of your choice throughout the day.

MISSION DETAIL FOR ENGAGE TEAMS
Engage teams will be inserted by foot in the south western sector at Juliet 6. Establish Comms with C3I when you INFIL.
Your objective is Phase Line Bravo which runs from the Timber Footbridge at Mike 12 along the ridgeline to Sierra 7 to the east.
You are to move to Phase Line Bravo using your recon elements to gather INTEL and clear the Phase Line.
Once cleared you need to secure and recon the surrounding zones in all directions. Zone recon should centre on Mike 9, Romeo 5, Uniform 10 and Papa 14 and extend for 50m radius.
CASEVAC is always available on request through C3I to a location of your choice throughout the day.

Some of the operators of Danger and Engage teams at PT

AFTER ACTION REPORT

All 4 teams inserted without issue.

The CO of Danger Team checking the extreme left flank of the Phase Line they control

Danger teams managed to clear their Phase Line and set about organising recon patrols to secure the greater area around the Phase Line. A short while later a group of gunmen approached on foot from the north. Members of Danger 1 challenged the gunmen and a verbal fight began which quickly turned into a massive gunfight. The gunmen soon learned they were outgunned and fell back to the north with casualties. Danger lost 2 KIA in the fight and called for a Casevac to the south of their position.

Engage teams moved out from their INFIL point very cautiously. Their recon elements discovered a civilian market in their immediate vicinity. Engage managed to get around the market without incident and were soon in position at their Phase Line and set about sending out their recon patrols.

“Danger 1 this is Danger Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. Now that Phase Line Alpha is cleared and secure we need you to secure and recon the area to the north of your Phase Line. Extend your Zone Recon centres to by 100m north. Read back for check, over”

“Engage 1 this is Engage Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
"Message immediate. Now that Phase Line Bravo is cleared and secure we need you to secure and recon the area to the north of your Phase Line. Extend your Zone Recon centres to by 100m north. Read back for check, over”

Once the locality around each Phase Line was secure, all teams were ordered to extend their recon patrols 100m further to their north. Engage reported contacts in their sector but were unable to get to grips with them more than just a shoot and scoot action.

“Danger 1 this is Danger Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. INTEL suggested an Ammo Cache location around Zulu 10 to your east. Send a team to locate and secure the cache and radio in when complete. Read back for check, over”

“Engage 1 this is Engage Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
"Message immediate. INTEL suggested an Ammo Cache location around November 12 to your norhtwest. Send a team to locate and secure the cache and radio in when complete. Read back for check, over”

The recon element from one of the Engage teams check a track overlooking the suspected location of the enemy arms cache

INTEL confirmed a number of Weapons Caches in the area. Danger teams were assigned a suspected location to their East while Engage teams were assigned a location to their northwest.

Gun team members from Danger 1 move to cover the ground on either side of the arms cache

Members from Danger 1 move to extend the perimeter as the location of the cache is secured

Danger arrived at their location 1st and quickly dispached a couple of sentries. As they consolidated their position to wait for the engineers to arrive for the cache, they came under an attack by a determined force and were pushed out to the south where they regrouped and brought in a Casevac for RESUP and to extract their wounded. Fresh and resupplied, Danger teams counterattacked and managed to push the enemy force out from the cache in time for the engineers to arrive. As the engineers are able to provide their own security, Danger was relieved to move back to their Phase Line which was their primary mission.

Danger team KIA awaiting recovery after the firefight at the cache

Engage managed to locate the cache in their sector but found it heavily guarded. Engage immediately went on the attack and managed to the clear the sector with little loss until they were counterattacked from their north by a large force of UNCONS. Heavily bloodied, Engage fell back to their Phase Line for a Casevac to recover their KIA and bring in supplies and replacements.

“Danger 1 this is Danger Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. You must keep up with your secure and recon of zones to the north of your position. You also need to send a team to man a VCP at Quebec 26. Confiscate any illicit items and arrest any suspects as per your ROEs. Read back for check, over”

“Engage 1 this is Engage Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. You must keep up with your secure and recon of zones to the north of your position. You also need to send a team to man a VCP at Mike 9. Confiscate any illicit items and arrest any suspects as per your ROEs. Read back for check, over”

As a teams went about re-establishing their recon patrols to their north, a call came in that INTEL suspected an arms dealer may be moving through their AO using a track to their south. C3I decided to order a team from Danger and Engage to set up VCPs to the south of each of the Phase Lines. Both VCPs were set up within 15 mins and searches of vehicles and suspected MAMs began.

Gun team members from Danger 1 covering a threat zone as the VCP move out

“Danger 1 this is Danger Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. INTEL confirms an enemy force operating in our AO to your north around a ridgeline at Mike 13 to Sierra 8. You need to use your recon elements to gather intel and assault and eliminate this force. CASEVACs through C3I are on standby should you need them. Read back for check, over”

“Engage 1 this is Engage Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. INTEL confirms an enemy force operating in our AO to your north around a ridgeline at Oscar 21 to Zulu 17. You need to use your recon elements to gather intel and assault and eliminate this force. CASEVACs through C3I are on standby should you need them. Read back for check, over”

UAV flights all morning had been tracking groups of uncons in the AO but if was only now that most of them had been seen to group together. INTEL decided these larger groups needed to be located and eliminated before they dissappeared from sight.

Both teams were ordered to move out from their Phase Lines and to their north to locate and eliminte 1 group each.

It was soon after the teams moved out that the call came in for a missing soldier down at the cache location earlier that morining.

“Danger 1 this is Danger Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. We have established a link with a wounded soldier close to your position. You need to get a team ASAP to the area around Quebec 15 and radio C3I for Extraction as soon as he is safe. Read back for check, over”

“Engage 1 this is Engage Actual, Requesting a SITREP, over.”
“Message immediate. We have established a link with a wounded soldier close to your position. You need to get a team ASAP to the area around Quebec 15 and radio C3I for Extraction as soon as he is safe. Read back for check, over”

During the firefight that morning around the cache, a member of Engage team had been wounded and separated from the rest of the team. The soldier found a hiding spot and once the area was clear, had moved to a new location and activated a personal locator. Both teams were tasked with sending a team to locate the soldier and call in an exfil team in vehicles to recover them.

Danger team managed to locate the wounded soldier 1st but then became embroiled in a massive firefight with gunmen. As the intensity increased, Engage team arrived and added their support. The gunmen were pushed away from the recovery area enough to call in the exful team. A patrol of hmmwv vehicles arrived, recovered the wounded and began the trek back down to the FOB. It was soon apparent that the enemy were not going to give up the fight too soon.

Danger regrouped to the south and called in a Casevac for RESUP. They were soon tasked with establishing a bocking position to the north of the exfil operation in order to intercept enemy reinforcements heading the Engage's location.

Danger team's CO observing the deployment of his team

Engage were ordered to escort the exfil vehicles back to the FOB.

Engage team preparing to move out to escort the recovery vehicles

The situation was getting out of control. There was definitely a lot more enemy in the area than originally thought as Danger became involved in a massive fight to the north of the exfil and Engage was ambushed on the road as they moved out of the area back to their FOB.

Heavy casualties were inflicted on all sides as finally the exfil team with Engage in tow reached the safety of the patrol lines around the FOB. Danger then broke contact and moved out of the area on foot to reindevous back at FOB Marshall.

Members of Danger and Engage teams swap war stories over some chow at FOB Marshall

All teams took RESUP at the FOB but were quickly stood down by their C3I. Once the large firefight at the exfil location got out of hand, C3I had sent replacement teams to cover the 2 Phase Lines. Danger and Engage teams were heavily involved for most of the day and needed R&R.

Good work Danger and Engage teams.

TEAM SCORES

PHASE 1 - Recon and Clear Phase Lines
Danger -> Mission Success! but abandoned portions of their line in subsequent phases = max +1000pts; +750pts awarded. 1 Casevac called on = -50pts.
Engage -> Mission Success! = max +1000pts, +1000pts awarded.

PHASE 2 - Extend Recon of Phase Lines + Locate and Secure Enemy Cache
Danger -> Mission Success! = max +1000pts; +1000pts awarded. 2 Casevac called in = -100pts.
Engage -> Mission Failure! = max +1000pts; 0pts awarded. 1 Casevac called in = -50pts.

PHASE 3 - Control Phase Lines + Establish VCP
Danger -> Mission Success! = max +1000pts; +1000pts awarded
Engage -> Mission Success! = max +1000pts; +1000pts awarded

PHASE 4 - Eliminate Enemy Force + Locate Wounded Soldier
Danger -> Mission Failure! = partial elimination of enemy force. max +1000pts; 0pts awarded. Wounded Soldier was located by not secured for EXFIL = max +500pts; +125pts awarded. 1 Casevac called in = -50pts
Engage -> Partial Mission Success! = partial elimination of enemy force. max +1000pts; 0pts awarded. Wounded Soldier was located and secured for EXFIL = max +500pts; +500pts awarded. 1 Casevac called in = -50pts

PHASE 5 - Danger Teams Blocking Position; Engage Teams Escorted Vehicle EXFIL
Danger -> Partial Mission Success! = partial elimination of enemy reinforcements. max +1000pts; +250pts awarded.
Engage -> Partial Mission Success! = EXFIL success but with very heavy loss. max +1000pts; +250pts awarded.

KIA
Danger -> 42 x -50pts = -2100pts
Engage -> 19 x -50pts = -950pts

TOTALS
Danger Teams = 825pts
Engage Teams = 1700pts

This scoring is just an additional bit of feedback for those who like to see scores.

Note regarding the Scoring. Only 29 of the 39 guns downloaded data so some records (the ones with '*' were created by reverse engineering the other data. Some could not be created at all as there was nothing to base a new record on at all. So you will notice that not all the players are listed.

NEW! MILSIMS "NIGHT MISSIONS"

2008-05-19T11:27:00.002+10:00

Due to repeated requests by regular MilSims Operators we are expanding the program to include 1 Night Mission per month. (there will be no Night Mission in June due to LazerStorm 08).

ON THE 1ST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

So now MilSims will consist of:

* 3hr "Night Mission" on the 1st Saturday of the month - $20 + $10 hire if needed (changing to $15 in July)

* 6hr "Evolution" on the 3rd Saturday of the month - $20 + $10 hire if needed

See you in the field.

AAR EVOLUTION 12 (19 APR 08)

2008-05-06T17:15:00.009+10:00

April 19, 2008 – Kavara village, Green Zone, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Operation Clean House – Danger Teams 1 and 2 and Engage Teams 1 and 2

Taliban attacks in our AO have decreased recently with the capture of the local commander Alsad al Ghani last week. We need to take advantage of this lull and start taking it to the enemy on our terms.

Therefore, Operation Clean House is a set of recon and assault phases to locate, pin and destroy fragmented Taliban forces in the area. Key terrain features such as known enemy compounds, villages, watering holes and hilltop tracks which will be our focus for today’s operations.

DESIGNATIONS
Air Support is available from Coalition warplanes operating in the AO.
SUPPLY and CASEVAC in the form of British Chinooks are available on request should any of your team need immediate EVAC. Its designation is Chester.
Your teams are designated Danger-One and Danger-Two and Engage-One and Engage-Two
C3I is Zero-Alpha.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will be inserted by HELO to LZ INFIL at Fox 14. RESUPPLY and CASEVAC needs to be requested through C3I with a LOCSTAT and your requested open area LZ using map co-ordinates if an LZ has not been communicated through any mission briefing. C3I will then confirm your location and confirm on chopper inbound.

Secure your INFIL LZ, report in to HQ for updated INTEL before moving out. Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

Morning PT prior to deployment

AFTER ACTION REPORT

Both Danger teams were inserted by helo to the Eastern edge of the AO just a short distance from the Eastern end of a natural gas pipeline which cut through the AO from the centre of the Eastern edge to the centre of the Northern edge. Danger was ordered to move to pipeline and clear any enemy discovered along the eastern half. They were soon involved in heavy fighting as they struggled to clear the pipeline of enemy gunmen. A SEAL team operating in the area came to their aid and soon the pipeline was clear and secure.

Engage teams were inserted near the Western edge of the AO by rivercraft. Upon securing the river bank, Engage came under fire from militia in the hills to their east.

Recon section from Danger lays down suppressing fire to aid the advance of the rest of the teams

A US SEAL team moves in from the north to assist Danger teams at the pipeline

With the Eastern half of the pipeline now in our control, Danger set about establishing a defensive perimeter and awaiting the arrival of engineers to remove a suspect explosive device found nearby.

Engage teams moved quietly through their area of operations. Tasked with clearing the north end of the pipeline, they soon discovered a large enemy force loitering around. An assault plan was underway.

UAV overflights warned Danger teams of approaching gunmen and Danger hunkered down to defend their prized possession. A large gunfight errupted as Danger tried desperately to defend the pipeline from enemy attack. Danger teams fell back to a predesignated Casevac point as they were pushed from their objective by a detirmined attack by militia.

Engage teams launched their attack on their length of the pipeline and after some heavy fighting managed to take possession with few casualties.

After Danger team was able to Casevac their dead and wounded and take resupply, they were briefed to assault a known compound. UAV flights had confirmed remnants of the assualt on the pipeline by Engage teams had fallen back to a know stronghold just west of their position.

Engage were tasked with assaulting a similar compound also being used by beaten militia to rest and resupply.

Both teams were to assault their respective compounds simultaneously in order to deny either compound of the others' assistance.

A picture taken by a hidden OP of a sentry at the eastern compound about to be assaulted by Danger Teams

Elements of Danger Team members privide covering fire as the rest of the team advances on their right to assault the compound

Danger was repelled from their assault on the compound and were soon calling in another Casevac for Resupply.

Engage managed to clear their compound and called in additional battalion assets to search for Intel.

Engage Team members break cover in their assault of the western compound

Danger had no time to rest. Their section of the pipeline had fallen into enemy hands again after they had overrun a Pakistani UN Patrol who had taken over security. With the Pakistani's badly bloody, Danger wanted payback.

Engage were relieved by engineers tasked with searching the compound for Intel. With the eastern half of the pipeline in enemy hands, Engage was ordered to fall back to their half of the pipeline to make sure it did not come under attack.

Engage Team members check for any hidden enemy after clearing their length of the pipeline

Danger's assault plan was formulated and executed. Not long into the attack it quickly became aware to Danger that all was not going well. Enemy gunmen were dug in well with captured Pakistani heavy weapons and Danger was forced to abandon their attack.

Engage were having better luck. Soon after they set up a defensive perimeter around their section of the pipeline, they were attacked by a very detirmined enemy force. After a raging gun battle, the enemy were repelled and airstrikes were called in to finish the fleeing gunmen.

Members of Engage team take cover from enemy fire as the pipeline defenders are pushed away

After a long days operations, Danger and Engage teams were Exfil'ed by choppers back to FOB for some down time.

Additional comments by Barrel:
Danger 1 & 2 we ordered to perform a combined assault on the enemy compound spotted via air recon operating inside of their AO. Danger 1 & 2 split in order to perform a flanking maneuver attack. While danger 1 brought the main assault from the east, danger 2 attempted to flank the compound from the south. Heavy resistance was met as the enemy had fortified their position. Danger 1 attempted to use a ridge as cover in order to move closer to the base but became pinned down by sniper fire from an unknown location. Danger 1 gun group eventually narrowed down the enemy snipers whereabouts and laid down indirect suppressive fire so that the entry team could continue the assault. Danger 1 gunners were eventually overrun by sheer numbers and were killed on the spot. A few member of the squad managed to the base, eliminating some of the enemy soldiers. Unfortunately amidst the confusion, a blue on blue incident occurred resulting in the death of one of our own. (See blue on blue incident report for details) Danger 2 came under heavy fire early in the assault due to the enemy interpreting our flanking maneuver. Unfortunately, Danger 2 did not make it to the base, which made our combined force weaker. After the short assault both danger 1 & 2 squads were completely eliminated by enemy forces. Body retrieval has been completed and all fallen soldiers will receive a full military funeral later this week.

REVIEW: BOOK: OPERATION CERTAIN DEATH BY DAMIEN LEWIS

2008-05-04T14:42:00.003+10:00

In 1999 the British SAS pulled off what many consider to be their greatest mission of all time. A group of rebels in the West African country of Sierra Leone had taken 11 British soldiers hostage. The British soldiers had been on peacekeeping operations. The rebels were a famously brutal group – called The West Side Boys - known for amputating the limbs of civilians for fun and forcing children to become rebel fighters. Over the proceeding 17-day ordeal, the British hostages – two of whom were just 17 years old – were subjected to a living nightmare in the rebels’ jungle base. This became an archetypal story of Africa’s heart of darkness. As the British military tried to negotiate, the rebels’ horrific excesses culminated in children’s heads being paraded on poles before the hostages. Finally, the British SAS and SBS were called in to mount a rescue operation. A combined force of some 75 SAS and SBS soldiers were sent in to assault a heavily defended rebel base occupied by 1,000 enemy. This is a story of how they flew into target in a lightning assault, and succeeded in their mission against all odds. The story is a modern day tale of hostages and heroes, an epic of soul-shattering confrontations.

Officially called Operation Barras, but known to the men on the ground as Operation Certain Death, it was a joint operation between the Paras, the SBS, the Navy and the RAF, but spearheaded by the SAS. Because of the traditional secrecy surrounding Special Forces operations this story has never before been told, but it is one the men themselves wanted telling. This book is that story in their own words. It is the single most daring Special Forces rescue mission since World War Two.

The West Side Boys wore pink shades, shower caps, fluorescent wigs and sported voodoo charms. They believed these make them invulnerable to bullets – an impression re-enforced by ganja, heroine, crack cocaine and gallons of sweet palm wine. They terrified the local inhabitants by dressing up in monkey skins and abducting children for rape, torture and mutilation. They worshipped torture and killing. Their motto was: “What makes the grass grow? Blood. Blood. Blood.” In 1999 a 12-man patrol of Royal Irish Rangers were captured and held hostage by The West Side Boys. They were held prisoner in a fortified jungle hideaway, defended by 1000 heavily armed rebel soldiers. The hostage taking was the first stage in the rebels’ planned Operation Kill British – a campaign or murder and torture of British soldiers to force the British military to abandon Sierra Leone to the rebels. Then, in Operation Kill All Your Family, the rebels would have seized power in an orgy of violence and terror.

Operation Barras, the code name for the mission to rescue the British hostages, involved a combined force of 100 Paras, 25 members of the Special Boat Squadron, helicopters from the Navy and RAF and, spearheading the operation, a 50-strong squadron of the SAS. Extensive interviews with the survivors and participants of Operation Barras have produced this blow-by-blow account, in which Damien Lewis recounts the sights, the smells, and the soul-shattering confrontations. Against amazing odds the hostages were rescued. And rather than succeeding in Operation Kill British and Kill All Your Family, the rebels were annihilated – so bringing an end to ten years of Africa’s most brutal civil war. This is the story of the rescue mission of the century in Africa’s heart of darkness.

NEW MILSIMS LOGO AND WEBSITE

2008-05-01T17:36:00.007+10:00

Welcome to the new MILSIMS website. Take a look around and send any suggestions, comments or contributions to me.

The MILSIMS Logo has also changed.

REVIEW: MOVIE - 9TH COMPANY

2008-04-29T10:07:00.005+10:00

9th Company is a Russian/Finnish made movie recently released in those countries. It is based on a true story about the 9th company from the 351st Guards Regiment of the Russian Army as they tried holding a hilltop area in Afganistan against Taliban fighters. Further research into this movie shows it botched up a few of the facts but otherwise I feel it is very well done. It shows a bit of the training and huge amount of modern combat in a really rough area of the world by 2 equally rough opponents.

I enjoyed seeing all the russian armour throughout and the array of russian firearms in use. I also was intrigued by the constant use of the word "mate" although I think this was more likely a result of the subtitling.

Anyway, here is the link to the youtube member with the entire movie split into 13 parts.

REVIEW: TV: COMMANDO - ON THE FRONTLINE

2008-04-29T10:06:00.003+10:00

Okay, this has got to be one of the best things ever shown on TV. Pity it was not on Australian TV. I found this, or rather a link to it while ready through the Australian Military Services Forums. It's an eight part series following a unit of recruits for the British Royal Marines. Their training goes for 9 months and most of those that pass are sent to Afghanistan immediately. The camera swaps from training to A-stan all throughout and the combat footage from the embed is fantastic.

This is a must see.

http://www.liveleak.com/browse?all&user=Whites&page=3

THE WORLDS DEADLIEST SHOTGUN

2008-04-13T07:59:00.003+10:00

Check out this brand new shotgun that fires 300 rounds a minute including armour piercing and high explosive rounds.

MILITARY SIMS PATCHES RELEASED!

2008-04-12T12:21:00.005+10:00

Thanks to the great commitment to some of our regulars, a patch design has been created and approved and is available to all MilSims players for $10.

These patches are 35mm x 35mm and are fully embroidered locally.

All orders need to be emailed to me and will be grouped and submitted 10 at a time.

A COUPLE OF VIDEOS TO GET SOME TRAINING IDEAS

2008-04-12T06:51:00.003+10:00

US NAVY SEAL AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOUR

2008-04-10T13:54:00.004+10:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/08/seal.medal/index.html

This is a great article of a Seal that jumped onto an enemy grenade and saved 5 other guys.

LAZERSTORM 08 AND MILITARY SIMS PROMO MOVIE - BY DOC

2008-04-08T20:20:00.003+10:00

MILITARY SIMS SUPPORTS MAG

2008-04-01T11:38:00.002+10:00

From April 2008, Military Sims and any associated activities will be donating a portion or any funds raised through it's events and functions to the charity MAG - Mine Advisory Group to assist them in their efforts to rid warzones of landmines.

Read more about MAG here

DEATH TUTORIAL

2008-03-31T16:50:00.002+10:00

This is a short tutorial video created by Doc for LazerStorm08 but it shows the KIA process as used in MilSims sessions.

MilSims Evo 11 (15 Mar 08)

2008-03-17T07:59:00.018+10:00

(click on comments below to add or view other comments on this session)

TEAM BRIEFING

March 15, 2008 – Kavaca Village, Green Zone, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Operation Sandstorm – Danger 6

Taliban attacks in our AO have decreased recently with the capture of the local commander Alsad Ghani last week. We need to take advantage of this lull and start taking it to the enemy on our terms. Therefore, Operation Sandstorm is a set of assault phases to locate, pin and destroy fragmented Taliban forces in the area. Key terrain features such as known enemy compounds, villages, watering holes and hilltop tracks will be our focus for today's operations.

Comms Designations:
Air Support is available from time to time from US warplanes operating in the AO and a QRF of British Royal Marines with light armor is currently on roster.
SUPPLY and CASEVAC in the form of British Chinooks are available on request should you are any of your team need MEDEVAC. Its designation is Chester.

SPECIAL FORCES TEAM DANGER 6

Your team is designated Danger 6.
C3I is Danger Actual.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will inserted by helo at INFIL Alpha at Zulu 17.
RESUPPLY and CASEVAC needs to be requested through C3I with LOCSTAT and your requested LZ nearby using map co-ordinates. C3I will then confirm your location and confirm on chopper inbound.

Secure your INFIL LZ, report in to HQ for updated INTEL.
Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

SPECIAL FORCES TEAM ENGAGE 4

Your team is designated Engage 4.
C3I is Engage Actual.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will inserted by helo at INFIL Bravo at Oscar 25.
RESUPPLY and CASEVAC needs to be requested through C3I with LOCSTAT and your requested LZ nearby using map co-ordinates. C3I will then confirm your location and confirm on chopper inbound.

Secure your INFIL LZ, report in to HQ for updated INTEL.
Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

Squad training drills the day before the op

AFTER ACTION REPORT

All teams inserted and reported in to C3I without incident. Danger and Engage were both ordered to link up at FUP Mike 12 in a shallow ravine just south of their 1st objective. Heavy going terrain resulted in Danger Team moving too far north while Engage waited in concealed positions. Once Danger Team identified and reported in their position, there were ordered to hold positions until communications between the 2 teams could be established.

Both Teams were ordered to co-ordinate a diamond reconnaissance of a known enemy compound at Lima 7 and then plan and execute an assault to rescue an ANP (Afghani National Police) Commander being help captive inside. INTEL suspected around 10 - 12 gunmen to be in and around the compound.

Both Teams moved onto the compound in silence and managed to get elements inside the perimeter of the compound without being seen. A fast take down took out 4 enemy and relieved the VIP of his captors. Another 3 enemy gunmen were engaged from within the compound and quickly dispatched with the loss of 1 KIA and 1 loss from a Blue on Blue incident.

SAW Gunner from Danger Team overwatching one of the approaches to the enemy compound

Engage Team members covering a surrendered uncon

Once mission updates had been sent through to C3I, they were ordered to move the VIP for EXFIL at Romeo 22. A 2nd chopper would meet them there for RESUP and CASEVAC.

During the EXFIL of the VIP, the force was engaged by a group of enemy uncons to their north. Engage Team commander Oni called in an artillery strike and pulled his men back. Shells landed spot on target and firing from the north soon ceased.

Both Danger and Engage Teams were then updated by C3I that enemy had overrun the enemy compound just cleared and moved in vehicles to the east. The Teams were ordered to move to a blocking position near a concrete bridge and set up a VCP to check all passing traffic for any intel or suspicious persons.

Personnel at the VCP were a little anxious as they thoroughly searched an innocent vehicle carrying 2 Australian Army photographers and their equipment. The 2 Australians were treated very harshly and have lodged complaints which are being followed up internally.

The VCP with the Australia photographers vehicle off to the left. Notice 1 of the Australians being 'questioned' in the left of the picture.

Soon after the Australian vehicle left, an old SUV approached at high speed. Verbal warnings and then machine gun warnings were ignored as most of the VCP opened up on the vehicle. It stopped and 1 gunmen exited the vehicle's rear only to be shot and killed instantly by VCP personnel. The driver of the vehicle had been killed a little earlier as the car came to a halt. Both men had automatic weapons on them and were confirmed to be part of the group who had been in the compound earlier with the VIP captive.

The moment before the VCP opens up on the SUV that fails to stop at the VCP.

VCP personnel check the SUV for INTEL after the driving a 1 passenger are killed

A rifleman from the VCP stands guard on the left as commanders radio in the result of the engagement with the SUV. Another rifleman 'checks' that the enemy gunman on the right is indeed dead.

The VCP was cleaned up and more vehicles and pedestrians were searched without incident.

Danger Team was then ordered to move back toward the compound assaulted that morning to await INTEL on an incident developing directly to their south. Engage Team were still manning the VCP.

INTEL reported in that documents found at the compound and in the SUV from the VCP confirmed that the use of poisons in the local water supplies had been manufactured in our AO at a small shed in the south. Both teams were ordered to move and clear the shed treating all contacts as hostile.

The Squad Leader and SAW Gunner from Engage Team watch as elements move into position for the assault on the poison shed.

Engage Team were the 1st to contact the shed, moving in from the north and decided to assault immediately and overwhelmed the occupants with ease. Without clearing the shed, they came under fire from enemy gunmen to their east and were embroiled in a determined firefight.

Danger Team approached the shed from the East and upon hearing the firefight decided to approach using all the cover they could find. They too were soon involved in a firefight as they had hit the same group of gunmen that Engage were fighting, only in their rear. Needless to say that taking fire from front and rear meant the enemy gunmen were soon overcome.

The Squad Leader of Engage Team yells orders as the team engage a large enemy force to the East of the poison shed.

Once the approached to the shed were cleared, both Teams joined to clear the shed itself and engaged another 2 gunmen, one of which was strategically placed on the roof, and soon had the shed in flames.

Both Teams EXFIL together by helo and arrived back as FOB for debrief and R&R.

Well done Danger 6 and Engage 4.

MilSims Evo 10 (16 Feb 08)

2008-02-17T08:27:00.005+10:00

(click on comments below to add or view other comments on this session)

MISSION BRIEF

February 16, 2008 – Mestia AO, hills NE of Kamenica, Eastern Kosovo, Serbia
Operation Whisper – Danger 6 Team & Danger 4 Team

Rumor has it that the newly elected government of Kosovo will declare independence tomorrow (17th February) from the rest of Serbia. The Albanians for Kosovo have been on the receiving end of Serbian violence for decades until the UN stepped in in 1999 and pushed the Serbs out of the Kosovo province to stop the ethnic violence. Over 100 countries support Kosovo for independence but Serbia itself and Russia among others do not. No one know what will happen tomorrow.

As part of the UN KFOR group, your team is being deployed to hills NE of Kamenica on Kosovo’s Eastern border with the rest of Serbia. The UN’s goal in Kosovo is to help keep the Albanians and the Serbians away from each other until a resolution is found to sort out their differences. Part of that role is have an on the ground presence in as many border hotspots as possible. The Mestia AO is just one of those spots. You squad has a 6hr deployment as part of an ongoing rotation for the area. You will need to be on the ground by 1100hrs local.

Comms Designations:
Air Support is available from time to time from US warplanes operating in the AO and a QRF of British Royal Marines with light armor is currently on roster.
SUPPLY and CASEVAC in the form of US Marine Blackhawks are available on request should you are any of your team need MEDEVAC. Its designation is Chester 1 and 2.

Your team is designated Danger 6.
C3I is Danger Actual.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will inserted on foot to LZ Alpha at Victor 28.
You have 2 possible LZs to choose from for RESUPPLY and CASEVAC,
LZ Alpha at Victor 28
LZ Bravo at Quebec 4
Request RESUPPLY and CASEVAC through C3I. The closest LZ is not normally the safest.
Secure your INFIL LZ, report in to HQ for updated INTEL.
Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

combat training

observation and concealment exercise

Danger 6, Message. Earlier this week a German patrol took fire from a fortified position . UAV overflights confirmed a concrete structure of some sort built right next to the main natural gas pipeline at grid Zebra 17. Needless to say we can’t bomb the thing so we need you to move in, confirm a possible hostile bunker and destroy it with C4. You will be linking up with Danger 4 Team for a combined assault. Your FUP is waypoint Romeo 22. Read Back for Check. Over.

Danger 4, Message. Earlier this week a German patrol took fire from a fortified position . UAV overflights confirmed a concrete structure of some sort built right next to the main natural gas pipeline at grid Zebra 17. Needless to say we can’t bomb the thing so we need you to move in, confirm a possible hostile bunker and destroy it with C4. You will be linking up with Danger 6 Team for a combined assault. Your FUP is waypoint Romeo 22. Read Back for Check. Over.

Danger 6 and Danger 4 were inserted to the AO by chopper to their respective INFIL LZs. Danger 4 took fire as soon as they cleared the chopper and had to fight their way out of their LZ. Both teams needed to move to a FUP where they would link up and move on a suspected concrete bunker to their East. A concrete structure has been spotted by UAV but because I appeared to be located close to a natural gas pipeline, it could not be attacked from the air. Both teams were ordered to get eyes on the structure and confirm what is was and destroy it if hostile.

After observing the target for a few minutes, enemy gunmen were spotted and an assault plan was drawn up with Danger 6 attacking from the rear (the East) while Danger 4 engaged at distance from the North.

A massive firefight errupted to the East as Danger 6 moved in. The remainder of the enemy were eliminated by Danger 4's clever overwatching.

With the area secured, C4 was planted on what was discovered to be a concrete MG bunker containing a 50cal MG. The bunker was soon reduced to rubble as both teams separated and called in RESUPPLY choppers.

Danger 6 Team moving into position to assault a concrete bunker housing a 50cal MG from the East

Danger 6

A member of Danger 4 team privoding overwatch for the rest of his team as they advance on the concrete bunker from the north

Danger 6, Message. Our UAV asset was just taken out by a portable surface to air missile. We need your team to move to waypoint Mike 12 and locate any weapons systems the militants could have gotten ahold of. If it’s a Stinger system you need to recover them or destroy them. Obviously recovery is the better option. You can tell the Stinger by it’s white timber rack. Regard all contacts as hostile. Read Back for Check. Over.

Danger 4, Message. Our UAV asset was just taken out by a portable surface to air missile. We need your team to move to waypoint Mike 12 and locate any weapons systems the militants could have gotten ahold of. If it’s a Stinger system you need to recover them or destroy them. Obviously recovery to a safe LZ is the better option. You can tell the Stinger by it’s white timber rack. Regard all contacts as hostile. Read Back for Check. Over.

The UAV that had been up observing the assault on the conrete bunker was taken out by a shoulder launched missile. INTEL believed it to be western made, probably a US Stinger. Plans were drawn up to get both teams to move on a suspected launch site and recover any US material found or destroy anything else.

Both teams converged on their objective but soon encountered heavy fire from enemy defensive positions. Danger 6 was heavily pinned as Danger 4 managed to fight their way along a jungle track and recovered a single US made Stinger. Both teams pulled back to their respective RESUPPLY LZs with the Stinger.

One of the the many enemy gunmen encountered

Danger 6, Message. Enemy militia have been spotted just minutes ago at waypoint Papa 22 heading towards your postion. Move towards grid Papa 22 and locate and eliminate any hostiles. Read Back for Check. Over.

Danger 4, Message. Enemy militia have been spotted just minutes ago at waypoint Mike 9 heading towards your postion. Move towards grid Mike 9 and locate and eliminate any hostiles. Read Back for Check. Over.

Both teams had enemy formations moving towards their LZs. With enemy numbers confirmed via INTEL to be quite small, both teams were tasked with contacting their rivals and eliminating them.

Unfortunately with the terrain being so rough in most places, both teams missed their targets and were reassigned with updated co-ordinates. Both teams were unable to locate thier respective targets and fell back to holding positions as important INTEL was coming in that needed them rested and ready to move.

Gun team (SAW and AR) from Danger 6 providing overing fire for the rest of the team

Danger 6 team after they successful cleared a ridgeline - not the enemy surrendering in the top right corner

Danger 6, Message. Enemy gunmen have attacked a nearby farm complex. Move to the complex and eliminate the enemy presence. Read Back for Check. Over.

Danger 4, Message. Enemy gunmen have attacked a nearby farm complex. Move to the complex and eliminate the enemy presence. Read Back for Check. Over.

HQ had received complaints that local gunmen had assaulted a nearby farming complex and killed 17 of the locals who lived there. The remainder had fled. Both teams were tasked with moving on to the complex and eliminate the enemy.

Danger 4 were the 1st team on the scene and immediately engaged the gunmen. As the area was being secured, an old soviet made APC crashed through the perimeter and debussed 6 or so enemy gunmen with weapons firing. Danger 4 team broke the attack, eliminating all of the gunmen and cleaning out the APC just as Danger 6 team arrived at the complex.

Danger 6 members secure their CASEVAC LZ prior to moving on their final objective

Both teams secured the complex and welcomed back the locals who had observed the dispacting of their enemy.

After a bit of PR work by Danger 6 and Danger 4, both teams moved to their EXFIL LZ and loaded up on choppers for the relaxing trip back to their FOB.

Well done Danger 6 and Danger 4 teams.

MilSims Evo 10 (19 Jan 08)

2008-01-20T12:03:00.001+10:00

January 19, 2008 - Abu Khasib Sector - Southern Al Basra AO, Iraq

Operation Lighthouse

Initial Briefing

You may be aware that the British are moving out of this sector as part of their continued withdrawal from Iraq. They have done a fantastic job here quelling insurgent forces. Things have been relatively quite for a good 6 months in this part of Iraq. Shiite gunmen making up the Madhi Army occasionally conduct a revenge attack after being on the receiving end of things for so long under Saddam, but compared to the northern sectors, things here have been good.
The Madhi Army is keen to replace its loses in manpower. US Intelligence sources confirm an influx of Iranian backed gunmen moving through the Southern border region a few weeks ago. These are made of Somalis, Syrians, Saudis as well as Iranian and Iraqi Shiite fighters. As expected, the withdrawal coincided with an increase of civilian targeted violence, culminating in the 3 markets bombed last week which killed 17 Iraqis and wounded 70 others including the CNN Reporter Richard Rakowski.

Both D (Danger) and E (Engage) teams are being deployed as part of Task Force Claymore whose sole purpose is to intercept insurgent reinforcements and eliminate them.
Remember your ROE at all times during your deployment. There are a lot of civilians who live and work in this area and who are mostly in co-operation with Iraqi and Coalition forces.

"Danger" Team briefing

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Danger 6-1.
Air Support is available in the form of pairs of British AH-64 Apache gunships are operating in your Sector and are designated Sabre Flight should you need their support.
A British Sea King helicopter will serve as CASEVAC is also available on standby should you – or any member of your team – need immediate MEDEVAC. Its designation is Lion 1.
C3I is Danger 6 Actual.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will be inserted by watercraft to the northern end of where the Euphrates River borders our Sector. You will need to secure your beachhead before moving out to your 1st waypoint. You have 2 possible LZs to choose from for CASEVEC, EXFIL and RESUPPLY, LZ Alpha at Kilo 7 and LZ Bravo at Juliet 22. Co-ordinate direct with Lion 1 for any CASEVAC and RESUPPLY locations. The closest CASEVAC point is not normally the safest, due to the likelihood of hostile action at LZ.
Secure your INFIL point and account for all your team and equipment.
Once secure, report in to HQ for updated mission details. Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

Danger Team:

"Engage" Team briefing

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Engage 4-1.
Air Support is available in the form of pairs of British AH-64 Apache gunships are operating in your Sector and are designated Sabre Flight should you need their support.
A British Sea King helicopter will serve as CASEVAC is also available on standby should you – or any member of your team – need immediate MEDEVAC. Its designation is Lion 1.
C3I is Engage 4 Actual.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will be inserted by watercraft to the northern end of where the Euphrates River borders our Sector. You will need to secure your beachhead before moving out to your 1st waypoint. You have 2 possible LZs to choose from for CASEVEC, EXFIL and RESUPPLY, LZ Alpha at Lima 21 and LZ Bravo at Bravo 10. Co-ordinate direct with Lion 1 for any CASEVAC and RESUPPLY locations. The closest CASEVAC point is not normally the safest, due to the likelihood of hostile action at LZ.
Secure your INFIL point and account for all your team and equipment.
Once secure, report in to HQ for updated mission details. Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

Engage Team:

Both teams were inserted by watercraft using the Euphrates River, Danger in the northern half of our AO and Engage in the south.

Once both teams had secured their INFIL points, HQ put them to work immediately.

Danger was sent to assault a compound to their south. INTEL earlier that week had confirmed insurgents had been seen entering and leaving the compound in small groups. Danger was tasked to assault and clear the compound and report any intel or weapons caches found.

The team moved cautiously through hostile territory until they could get eyes on the compound.

Danger team leader directs his troops on their approach to the enemy compound.

Danger team uses the shadows on a mountain trail in their movement to observe the compound

6-10 gunmen were sighted in and around the compound. Danger Team Leader gathered his squad to co-ordinate a 2 prong assault from the north and west using surprise to their advantage to eliminate the defenders in a lethal crossfire.

Danger team planning their assault on the compound

As the North and West elements got into postition for the assault, defenders spotted and unloaded deadly fire on the North element.

After a long firefight, Danger Team withdraw and moved to a predesignated LZ for Resupply with a CASEVAC chopper.

A member of Danger Team covering a ridgeline with his M4 during the firefight

Danger confirmed no civilians had been seen in or around the compound and so 2 x 1000lb JDAMs were dropped with pinpoint accuracy, leveling the compound. With gunships circling on overwatch, a nearby US Ranger squad was called to check the compound for any intel. Rangers found documents in a briefcase blown 100m away suggesting an attempt to sabotage the Kuwait-Iraq Oil Pipeline in our sector's north-western corner.

Engage team was ordered to move to their north to a similar compound known to be adandoned to search for any sign that it might have been reclaimed by insurgents.

Shortly after reporting no sign of recent activity, the team spotted enemy gunmen approaching from the north and were soon under attack. The attack was repelled and the gunmen fled.

Engage then withdrew from the compound to their LZ for Resupply and further orders.

With the recent INTEL found at the compound, Danger Team made their way to the section of the Kuwait-Iraq Oil Pipeline that passed through our sector. They were ordered to patrol the area and thwart any attempt by insurgents at sabotage until local Iraqi National Army elements would arrive to take over security.

It wasn't long before they were attacked by a large number of insurgents in a nasty firefight that resulted in them having to withdraw under considerable pressure. Danger fell back to one of their LZs for Resupply.

Engage Team were ordered to move in support of Danger Team. They had a lot of ground to cover and approached the pipeline cautiously knowing they had missed the firefight by about 30 minutes and would have to assault and eliminate the enemy presence. This they did after a very intense gun battle whilst trying to negotiate hard going terrain, barbed wire fencing and a steep ridgeline.

Members of Engage Team moving rapidly over open ground to support Danger Team at the pipeline

Engage Team members covering the teams right flank as the Team Leader plans the approach to the pipeline

With the pipeline now secure, Engage hand over the task of keeping it secure to an INA group who assisted in the firefight. Engage move off to rendevous with Danger Team for Resupply.

Engage Team secures their LZ for the quick Resupply by chopper

After a quick Resupply by chopper, Danger Team is sent to intercept a truck suspected of transporting weapons across the border from Iran. An UAV team had been tracking the truck for about 40 minutes and suggested a particular section of a nearby road for a Stop and Search. The road was the only way in and out of that particular section of rugged terrain and it wasn't long before Danger could hear a truck engine approaching.

The driver of the truck was obviously well rehersed in US tactics and before entering a narrow section of the road he needed to travel through, he and a group of armed men decided to check that the road was clear.

Danger Team sprung their ambush and after a brief firefight repelled the gunmen, the survivors of which fled with the truck.

During that time, HQ had been notified of a possible downing of an Italian Eurofighter Typhoon in our sector. Engage were tasked with moving to the projected area for any sign of the jet or survivors. Whilst moving through a narrow pass to get to some dominating ridgelines, Engage was ambushed by insurgents. After a quick firefight, Engage's Team Leader decided to withdraw and and confirm that something had happened in that location to bring enemy gunmen out in force.

As Engage confirmed with HQ that something important was drawing enemy to their recent gunfight location, the Italians confirmed a Typhoon had indeed crashed and they passed us the location of a personal responder signal they had picked up from the pilot and navigator. It was coming from a location just south of Engage's ambush site.

A German Airforce Eurofighter Typhoon similar to the Italian one that went down

Both Danger and Engage teams were then ordered to converge on the pilot's location to secure the pilot for SAR teams who by then were already on their way.

Danger moved cautiously through the location of Engage's ambush with no contact. As they approached the location of the pilot, they spotted enemy gunmen hiding amongst some shipping containers on the edge of a small village. They knew Engage Team had managed to recover the Pilot and suspected the Navigator had been captured. Danger immediately went on the offensive to engage the insurgents. A massive firefight ensued as Danger forced it's way through the village to the containers. Danger's right flank security noticed enemy gunmen fleeing the contact enmasse and the chase was on. A running gun battle resulted in the enemy slipping away with the Navigator. After clearing the village, they moved to their EXFIL point for extraction.

Engage had better success. They managed to locate the pilot very quickly and then became embroiled in a massive firefight with insurgents who came pouring out of the village. Rear elements of Engage Team held the enemy at bay as the team conducted a fighting retreat to an EXFIL point where Engage Team and the pilot were extracted.

Both Teams were exhausted from a full day of fighting in the heat and dust of some very rugged terrain and a detirmined and aggressive enemy.

MilSims SPECIAL (8 Dec 07)

2007-12-09T17:10:00.001+10:00

MilSims Evo 8 (17 Nov 07)

2007-11-18T07:59:00.000+10:00

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November 17, 2007 – Abu Khasib Sector – Southern Basra Main AO – Delta 6-1

"As you may be aware, the British Royal Marines are moving out of this sector as part of their continued withdrawal from Iraq. They have done a fantastic job here quelling Iranian backed insurgent forces. Things have been relatively quite for a good 6 months in this part of Iraq. Shiite gunmen occasionally conduct a revenge attack after being on the receiving end of things for so long under Saddam, but compared to the northern sectors, things here have been good. That is until they started to leave. US Intelligence sources confirmed an influx of Iranian backed gunmen moving through the Southern border region a few weeks ago. These are made of Somalis, Syrians, Saudis as well as Iranian and Iraqi Shiite fighters. As expected, the withdrawal coincided with an increase of civilian targeted violence, culminating in the 3 markets bombed last week which killed 17 Iraqis and wounded 70 others including the CNN Reporter Richard Rakowski.

Your team has been deployed here to fill the gap in the time between the UK forces withdraw, and US Task Force Reagan’s control of the area. This sector is particularly of concern as it houses Rashid Al Karsai the only remaining Shiite leader that is co-operating with the newly elected Iraqi government. C&C is convinced retaliation to recent violence may be targeted at this leader. Remember your ROE at all times during your deployment. We don’t want to undo any of the work the Brits did before us.

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Delta 6-1.
Air Support in the form of pairs of British AH-64 Apache gunships are operating in your Sector and are designated Sabre should you need their support.
A British Sea King helicopter will serve as CASEVAC is also available on standby should you – or any member of your team – need immediate MEDEVAC. Its designation is Lion 6.
C3I is Delta-6 Actual.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will HALO dropped from C130 at 30,000ft. You equipment will also be dropped. You will need to consolidate your position and collect you equipment before moving out to your 1st waypoint. I suggest you use the defile at Waypoint Victor 28 as your FUP. You have 3 possible LZs to choose from for CASEVEC, EXFIL and RESUPPLY, LZ Alpha at Zebra 17; LZ Bravo at Echo 21 and India 6. Co-ordinate direct with Lion 6 CASEVAC for your CCP, CASEVAC and RESUPPLY locations. The closest CASEVAC point is not normally the safest, due to the likelihood of hostile action at LZ.

Secure your INFIL point and account for all your team and equipment. Once secure, report in to HQ for updated mission details. Keep in communication with C3I at all times. "

Morning PT

Contact Drills training

Delta 6-1 was HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) dropped into the south of the AO (Area of Operations) from 30,000 feet. Their first task was to group at a FUP (Form Up Point) and account for all their team members and equipment before reporting for further instructions based on realtime UAV intel.

PHASE 1 – WATER TANKS

A group of MAMs (Military Aged Males) have been observed loitering around the main water tanks for the largest village in the AO. Although no weapons have been seen in the group, they need to be investigated and encouraged to leave the area. Detals 6-1's task is to move to contact the group, acertain their intent and moving them along.

“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, is your FUP secure? Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. Move immediately to Objective Alpha at Waypoint Zulu 17. A UAV team observed a group of men around the water tanks up there. You are to investigate and encourage this group to clear the area. Remember your ROE. Secure the tanks and transmit a sitrep to C3I for further Intel. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

Members of Delta 6-1 Bravo team moving out from the FUP

Delta 6-1 carefully moved up the ridgeline to the water tanks. Upon sighting Delta, the men uncovered automatic weapons and began firing wildly. Delta 6-1 broke into 2 teams, Alpha and Bravo and bounded up to the tanks, clearing the ground as they went. A number of gunmen were killed in the action. The remainder of the group left the area. Delta was ordered to secure the area and hold it for a while in preparation for any counter attack that may come. No further contacts were made.

PHASE 2 – VIP COMPOUND

Shortly after, C3I contacted Delta with a new objective. The primary Shiite leader in Delta's AO, Rashid Al Karsai, had reported gunmen surrounding his compound to Delta's north. UAV intel confirmed that the compound was now in the hands of gunmen. Delta were tasked to locate the compound, observe any activity and assault the compound in order to ensure the safety of Al Karsai. Al Karsai had to be recovered alive at all costs.

“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep, Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. We have confirmed reports that Shiite gunmen have taken the leader Rashid Al Karsai into custody. This is a major embarrassment for the US presence in this sector and we need to get him back alive. You need to move your team to Waypoint Lima 7. We understand he is being held in the group of buildings at that location. You will need to observe the compound and plan and execute an assault. Make sure you check with C3I for intel prior to executing your assault plan. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

A Delta 6-1 rifleman engaging enemy along a creek edge

PHASE 3 – COMPOUND DEFENCE

Delta managed to overrun the compound and recover Al Karsai alive. Much to his relief as he was undergoing torture as the assault took place. A QRF Security Attachment was being sent to relieve Delta and bring Al Karsai to the US Operations Base. Delta were ordered to set up a perimeter and hold the compound until the SecDet arrived.

“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep, Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. Al Karsai is a major asset for us to have in our hands. You need to keep him alive until a security detachment arrives to bring him back to a safe haven. Hold the compound until relieved. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

During this time the compound was attacked and after losing a large number killed, the gunmen broke contact and withdrew.

A lone gunman handing himself in to US forces

The Security Detachment being sent to relieve Delta ran into an ambush with a number of IEDs damaging 2 of their vehicles. They were embroiled in a nasty firefight and could no longer complete their objective of linking up with Delta. Delta were therefore ordered to move with Al Karsai back to the US operations base.

PHASE 4 – REPORTER RECOVERY

Shortly after moving out, Delta were advised that enemy gunmen had contact the US base with an offer to trade a captured CNN Reporter for Al Karsai. Delta were given the objective of iniating a trade with the intent of coming out with both VIPs.

“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep, Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. We have been contacted by Shiite members of the Madhi Army who claim to have a CNN Reporter being held hostage close to your position. They are prepared to trade him for Al Karsai. Move your team and Al Karsai to Waypoint November 21. For all intents and purposes you are to make out that you are trading Al Karsai for the Reporter. You need to secure both VIPs alive and then report in to C3I for EVAC. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

Delta moved cautiously to the location of the gumen with their captive. Bravo team moved out a distance ahead of Alpha team while Alpha moved with Al Karsai who was slowing them down a little with a wounded knee.

Bravo spotted the gunmen on the northern side of a small footbridge over a creek. 3 gunmen and the Reporter stood together in the open area above the footbridge.

Alpha team soon caught up with Bravo and they set about working out a plan.

Alpha team moved across the bridge with Al Karsai to make the trade. Both sides attempted to stare each other down as they inched forward with their respective VIPs. After about 5 minutes of yelling and counter yelling a shot rang out. All hell broke loose and a massive firefight ensued resulting in 15 insurgents, 7 US soldiers and Al Karsai killed.

Delta 6-1 Bravo exiting the VIP exchange location after it had been throughly searched and secured

Delta called for immediate CASEVAC from Lion 6 and took the time to rest and replenish.

As Lion 6 took off, Delta were instructed to send Bravo team on a patrol route on a track to their north while Alpha had to patrol the same track to the east. Routine UAV patrols had spotted vehicles using this track earlier in the day and suspect they may have been involved in weapons trafficking.

PHASE 5 – VEHICLE PARK

Shortly after Alpha and Bravo teams had reached the track they had been ordered to patrol, command ordered them both to move in on an area to their south that a UAV overflight had spotted a camoflaged tarp in amongst some trees. This was suspected to contain the previously spotted vehicles and needed to be investigated immediately.

“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep, Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. The UAV Team also noticed an area covered with camouflage material. You need to recon this area and relay what you see under the netting. Any further instructions will be received once you have identified what the gunmen are hiding. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

Both teams converged on the objective and soon ran into a large firefight. After eliminating the enemy presence, members of Delta placed C4 on the vehicle park, and a nearby shed, demolishing them all.

Delta 6-1 Bravo moving to locate the Insurgent gun-runners

The suspect vehicles spotted by the UAV earlier handing out weapons to the locals

Members from Delta 6-1 Bravo covering the formation's left flank

SAW gunner from Delta 6-1's Alpha team using the cover of a nearby building to conceal his approach

SAW Gunner from Delta 6-1 Alpha doing some spotting

SAW Team from 6-1 Alpha extending Delta's right flank

EXFIL

With the full 6 hour deployment completed, and elements of Task Force Reagan arriving, Delta collected their wounded and were flown back to the operations base.

“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Well done on all your efforts today. We have a replacement team from Task Force Reagan inbound to your position. Move to LZ Alpha for EXFIL by Helo. Read back for check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

Nice work Delta 6-1.

MilSims Evo 7 (20 Oct 07)

2007-10-21T08:05:00.001+10:00

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October 20, 2007 – Bagrami Sector – Kabul East Area of Operations – Delta 6-1

Your unit has been deployed to the Bagrami Sector in the Kabul East Area of Operations in Afghanistan to assist Afghani National Army forces in their security operations against remnants of the Taliban regime in that area. Recently there have been a number of incursions through the Kyber Pass from Pakistani controlled border areas into our AO. It is believed that most of these movements have come through and may actually be getting support from Bagrami itself. In an effort to gain intelligence on these movements and to provide support to Afghani National Army forces in the area, your team has been added to the QRF (Quick Reaction Force) rotational roster. This means you will deployed to your designated area of responsibility and be available to move in response to any directions by HQ throughout your deployment term.

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Delta 6-1.
Air Support in the form of stacked pairs of A-10s are operating in your Sector and are designated Striker 4 should you need their support.
A CASEVAC Blackhawk helicopter is also available on standby should you – or any member of your team – need immediate MEDEVAC. Its designation is Helo 6-2.
C3I is ‘Delta-6 Actual’.

MISSION DETAIL
Your team will be deployed by Blackhawk helicopter Helo 6-1 at INFIL grid Foxtrot 9. You have 2 LZs to choose from for CASEVEC, EXFIL and RESUPPLY, LZ Alpha at Foxtrot 9; and LZ Bravo at Kilo 21. Co-ordinate with Helo 6-1 for location of prospective CCP (casualty collection point), CASEVAC and RESUPPLY. The closest CASEVAC point is not normally the safest, due to the likelihood of hostile action at LZ.
Secure your INFIL point. Once secure, report in to HQ for updated mission details. Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

Your Map
A map of our AO is attached. Note the red border line is the out of bounds area of our AO. Do not cross this line.

(Area of Operations for today's 6hr QRF rotation)

(Elements of Delta 6-1 kit up for their QRF rotation)

“Welcome to the Bagrani sector of Afghanistan gentlemen. I’m Lt Maxwell, your OIC for all joint ops in this AO. Your team has been assigned as part of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to assist Afghani National Army efforts to provide security to this sector. We have Intel to suggest that Taliban forces have been crossing the border from Pakistan and moving through this sector and onto Kabul. You are to gather intelligence on any of these movements and respond to events where directed.
At this time, our ROE is to refrain from engagement and leave any fighting to the ANA, unless a Level 5 criteria is met. As you know, that is if the subject has a weapon and will kill or injure you, or a member of your unit, if not secured immediately.
Secure your INFIL and report in for further mission detail.
Finally, EGRESS and MEDEVAC plans are in place: if required, set up Casualty Collection Point (CCP), move casualties to your safe CASEVAC LZ and call in the Blackhawk – designated Helo 6-2.
Good Luck Gentlemen."

(part of Delta 6-1 being briefed)

PHASE 1 – INFIL AND SECURE FUP
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, is your INFIL secure? Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. Move to your FUP at Waypoint Kilo 16. Secure the FUP and transmit sitrep to C3I for further Intel. Break. Remember, if needed, use LZ for CASEVACs and resupply. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

(Delta 6-1 securing their FUP. The Team Leader moves up to convey orders to the SAW team.)

PHASE 2 – DEFEND FUP
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. A group of armed men are moving towards your position .You are to prepare your FUP for in incoming attack. You have about 20 minutes to prepare defensive positions. Break. If things get too heated, you are to break contact and fall back to your own designated Fallback Point. You need to communicate your FBP to us once you work it out. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

Delta 6-1's 1st task was to deploy by helo and move to a FUP (Form up Point) to link up with the Afghan National Army forces that they were to work with throughout the day. Just as ANA forces were spotted moving in from the NW, militant gunmen attacked the FUP and were repelled with 3 gunmen killed.

PHASE 3 - PIPELINE
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. Your attached ANA force is counterattacking and pursuing gunmen away from the FUP. This means the local oil pipeline they were in part protecting is now vulnerable. You are directed to move to Waypoint Echo 4 and provide sentry security and defense until relieved for entire length of the pipeline that lays within our AO from Grid Foxtrot 0 to Grid Alpha 10. The enemy has attempted sabotage of this pipeline a number of times over the past few months without affect. You are to inhibit them at all costs. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

(Delta 6-1 moving to their next objective. Note the order of their movement, scout 1st, SAW 2nd, TL 3rd.)

The incoming ANA forces were redirected to pursue any remaining gunmen from the FUP. This meant the section of the oil pipeline that passes through Delta's AO was unprotected. Delta was then directed to move to the pipeline and ensure nothing happens while the ANA deal with the gunmen and deploy back to the pipeline. On the way, Delta called in a Casevac to evacuate a critially wounded team member and receive a replacement.

(Delta 6-1 patrolling the pipeline. Note the Blackwater operative working with them.)

During the patrolling of the pipeline, Delta was ambushed by a single gunman who had managed to reach the pipe but did not have the tools, nor the ability to cause any damage. He was shot whilst attempting to kick the pipe with his foot!

After another couple of gunmen had been intercepted and killed, a lone gunman managed to stick a single IED to the pipe. Delta's TL then called in an EOD team and handed over the section of pipeline to ANA forces who had arrived to take over security.

PHASE 4 – PILOT SAR
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Message. An A-10 jet has gone down in your sector. You need to haul ass to the crash site at Waypoint Mike 8 and secure it for the SAR team currently inbound. Check for survivors and secure for SAR. Read Back for Check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

(the SAW gunner from Delta 6-1 providing overwatch as the rest of his team receive the co-ordinates of a down A-10 in the area)

One of the many A-10s flying in the area developed an engine problem and the pilot ditched the aircraft into the side of a mountain after ejecting to safety. He managed to move himself to the edge of a river and activated his locator beacon. As Delta6-1 was the closest friendly force in the area, they were directed to move to the beacon locator as fast as they could to prohibit the pilot being captured by any alert militants in the area.

The pilot was found in some foliage near the edge of the river but Delta was ambushed by 2 gunmen who has also seen the pilot and both were killed. As Delta secured the area to direct the SAR helo inbound to recover the pilot, a militant techinical vehicle with a improvised RPK mounted attacked the team. Delta grabbed the pilot and fell back into some underbrush and engaged the technical. In the ensuing gun battle, most of Delta were either killed or wounded and the militants managed to overrun the position and capture the pilot.

The pilot was then decapitated while being video recorded, and left on the ground near where he was found.

The remnants of Delta 6-1 moved to recover the body of the A-10 pilot and called in a Casevac to extricate the dead and wounded and receive replacements.

PHASE 6 – ASSAULT GUNMEN CAMP
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Intel has confirmed that 2 bombs were created there in the past 24 hrs. How many did you say you recovered?”
“Okay Delta 6-1. We need to locate the remaining gunmen and recover that bomb before they can put it use. Move to Waypoint Foxtrot 17 . We should have their location by the time you get there. Read back for check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Intel has confirmed a temporary camp of some sort that was not on our scans 2 weeks ago just near you at Objective Grid Papa 27 . You are to move into an OP and construct a plan of attack. You must assault this location and eliminate all hostiles and recover any equipment you can. Read back for check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

(a picture captured in the operation of militants attaching explosives to a car. Note the captured M16/203.)

The newly replenished Delta 6-1 team received intel from a local UAV team who spotted a number of gunmen gathering at the top of the heights on the other side of Delta's AO. Delta were ordered to swiftly move to that position, set up an OP for intel, and to prepare an assault plan to eliminate the militants. After being distracted by a large refugee camp on their way to their OP, Delta was then in position.

Delta's TL decided on an instant attack as he believed the gunmen were preparing a car bomb and would soon be moving out. The attack was a drawn out affair with 4 - 6 gunmen killed, the vehicle captured, and 2 IED bombs and a number of bomb making tools recovered.

(members of Delta 6-1 after they assaulted the hilltop militant position and captured a vehicle and explosive and bomb making tools. Note the SAW team providing hot side security while the Team leader searches the dead gunmen.)

EXFIL
“Delta 6-1, this is Delta 6 Actual, requesting Sitrep. Over.”
“Delta 6-1. Well done on all your efforts today. The Afghani National Army has been impressed with your professionalism and appreciates your support. We have an EXFIL for you at your LZ Bravo. Move to that location for extract by Helo. Read back for check. Over.”
“Delta 1 Actual Out.”

As Delta 6-1's 6hr rotation in support of the Afghan National Army QRF was complete, an EXFIL chopper was sent in to recover the team and a new team inserted for the next 6 hrs.

Well done Delta 6-1.

AAR by Mr Blue

2007-09-21T07:45:00.000+10:00

Delta 1-6 AAR by Mr Blue
Delta 1-6 was deployed at 0840hrs our mission was to set up an OP on the UN food distribution point, we quickly formed up into formation with Mr White as lead scout, Chipmunk as medic, myself as CO, Mr Red as signaller and The Russian as demolitions and sweeper. Due to a lack of map reading on my behalf we went too far past the food point, after a quick back track we were on target, I sent forward Mr White, Chipmunk and The Russian to get eyes on the target. After a period of observation we reported back to C3I, they informed us to assault the position and purge the area of any ferals. I rounded the team up and using extreme speed and violence we assaulted the food distribution point, the ferals were quickly dispersed and the area secured. C3I then informed us to pursue the ferals as they had stolen a SF cache and were headed for the border, as we had chased them down onto open ground I made the call to head straight to the point at the border where they were going to cross. It was a more direct route and was an elevated position that gave us better cover. Halfway towards to the border we encountered straggling members of the ferals, after a brief fire fight they fled.We setup an ambush at the border and were surprised when they came up the road behind us, after a quick formation change we slotted the enemy taking one hostage but one of our members was wounded by knife.After a quick restock of supplies HQ informed us to setup a VCP and check vehicles for the stolen SF cache, I setup our two SAW gunners covering myself and the signaller as we stopped any vehicles. Our first vehicle saw two locals alleging to be involved with CNN, a thorough search of the vehicle revealed only a knife which they claimed to use to cut cheese. Ten minutes later saw a Volvo heading towards our position at high speed, using his high powered scope Mr White informed us over the net that the passenger was carrying a weapon; as they got closer they opened fire on our positions. The tyres were shot out and the Volvo lost control careening into a nearby paddock, at the same time the “CNN” assistants came from the opposite direction; Mr Red opening fire on them thinking the camera was a RPG; he hit and killed the driver with the car stopping a short distance from the VCP. I sent The Russian and Mr White to secure the Volvo, while I headed towards the “CNN” car, the camera man was wounded and clambering out of the vehicle, now that we had shot civilians I double tapped the survivor and Mr Red removed the tape from the camera so no evidence could be traced back to us. The radio then burst to life and HQ informed us that a Blackhawk had gone down and UAV surveillance indicated the pilot was still alive although multiple hostiles were zeroing in on his position. With hast we made our way towards the point and slotted two locals that were beating the pilot, however we had walked into an ambush and three of our members were shot and killed, we managed to take one of them out but I then ran out of ammo. I headed to the EXFIL point for reinforcements; Mr Red had a running gun battle with the final feral member but was unluckily shot in the end. Command called us and wanted a no BS opinion if we could rescue the pilot, we blitzed the area and took the pilot to the extraction point, however on the way there the pilot’s head fell off; he could take a while to recover from this injury. Two ferals were found in the EXFIL area and were quickly dispatched. Command then informed us that the SF cache had been sighted by UAV at a local water plant, our mission was to plant C4 at the plant and destroy all evidence. We quickly moved to the area and Mr White and Mr Red found positions to cover us as Chipmunk and I cleared the area for demolitions to come in. We quickly dispatched the remaining ferals and The Russian came in and planted the C4, the plant was reduced to rubble in seconds. We moved to our extraction zone and left the area, a successful mission all around. All team members are looking forward to next deployment.

MilSims Evo 6 (15 Sep 07)

2007-09-17T21:35:00.005+10:00

AFTER ACTION REPORT
Saturday September 15, 2007 - Evolution 6

Location: Baden-Powell Scout Camping Grounds - Samford

Another great session. Feedback from the operators was very encouraging. This session saw the 1st use of actors as the scenarios become more complex and realworld.

Initial Briefing for Delta 1-6

September 15, 2007 – Somalia – Delta 1-6
METT-TC Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support available, Time available, Civilians

Your unit has been deployed to Safeed province, Southern Somalia, to assist UN efforts to control escalating violence between Ethiopian Forces (‘EF’) – whom recently crossed the border into Somalia – and Islamic Council militia (‘Ferals’), considered allied with AQ (al Qaeda). We are happy to see Islamic Council forces being targeted in Somalia; however, we do not want the EF to stay any longer than needed in their efforts to stem ‘Ferals’ crossing the border into Ethiopia.

OPERATION STEM CONTROL

You unit is part of a rotating QRF (Quick Reaction Force) that have been assigned to assist in SR operations (surveillance and reconnaissance) in Sector 14 of our AO.

Comms Designations:Your squad is designated Delta 1-6Mortar Teams are operating in your Sector and are designated Delta 2-6 should you need any supportA CASEVAC Blackhawk helicopter is also available on standby should you – or any member of your team – need immediate MEDEVAC. Its designation is Helo 2-6.C3I is ‘Delta-1 Actual’

MISSION
You will be deployed by Helo 2-4 at INFIL grid R22. You have 3 LZs to choose from for CASEVEC and EXFIL, LZ Alpha at V28; LZ Bravo at E18; and LZ Charlie at S1. Co-ordinate with Helo 2-4 for location of prospective CCP (casualty collection point) and CASEVAC. The closest CASEVAC point is not normally the safest, due to the likelihood of hostile action at LZ. Secure your INFIL point. Once secure, move out to accomplish your primary objective. Keep in communication with C3I at all times.

Your Map
A map of our AO is attached. Note the red border line is the out of bounds area of our AO. Do not cross this line. Some points of reference are noted.

“Welcome to Safeed province, Southern Somalia. I’m Major Ace, your OIC for all joint ops in this AO. Your unit has been assigned as part of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to assist UN efforts to quell escalating violence between Ethiopian Forces (also known as the EF) – whom recently crossed the border into Somalia – and Islamic Council militia (we call them Ferals), considered allied with AQ (al Qaeda). Obviously, we don’t give a shit if Islamic Council forces are being targeted by the EF; however, we don’t want them to stay any longer than needed to stem Ferals crossings into their country.

At this time, our ROE is to refrain from engagement with either group, unless a Level 5 criteria is met. As you know, that is if the subject has a weapon and will kill or injure you, or a member of your unit, if not secured immediately. Those of you that remember Rwanda know that UN ‘peace-keeping’ usually means we don’t intervene in civilian affairs unless under personal and immediate threat – for all you idealists, I would suggest against throwing yourself in front of a 14 year-old with an SLR out there, just for cause to intervene.

Delta, this morning, a nearby UN Food Distribution Point located at L7 was raided by Feral militia, and it is likely that gunmen will remain there until all food-stores have been stolen. Now gentlemen, we are talking a lot of food that these civilians need, so we are going to get it back for them. Now these Ferals don’t normally want to stand toe-to-toe, and they are not exactly “disciplined” shooters, but don’t expect them all to run – especially if they are surprised. You will INFIL at LZ ALPHA, near the village, to give any surrounding Feral elements a chance to scoot. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but it has worked before.

From this secure LZs, move to Waypoint L17 - which will serve as our Form-Up Point (or FUP). Observe any Feral movements and relay numbers and direction back to C3I. Contact C3I again with SITREP and move towards the Food Distribution Point – consider using a Diamond Recon around objective. Then, make certain any remaining Ferals, that don’t get the idea, understand the errors of their theft – however, don’t use deadly force unless completely necessary.

There is also a mortar teams are operating out of a nearby Forward Operating Base (FOB) should you require indirect fire – designated Echo 2-4.

Finally, egress and MEDEVAC plans are in place: if required, set up Casualty Collection Point (CCP), move casualties to safe CASEVAC LZ and call in Blackhawk – designated Helo 2-4.

Good Luck Gentlemen."

Part of the morning PT prior to deployment

Delta was deployed by chopper to their LZ at around 0840hrs. They quickly secured their LZ and made plans for their approach of the Food Distribution Point. Moving off quietly they navigated the terrain and moved with caution until they got eyes on the FDP. After a quick sitrep to HQ, they were given the green light to assault and sweep the Point clear. A short gun battle ensued resulting in all FERAL gunmen fleeing the scene. The Distibution Point was once again secure and able to distribute foreign aid to the needy.

Shortly after, Delta was given instructions to pursue the Feral gunmen towards the border of our AO (area of operation) with the contents of a Special Forces Resupply Cache they had uncovered near the FDP. Enroute to intercept the gunmen, Delta was ambush by stragglers who immediately withdraw upon contact.

Feral Gunmen laying in ambush on a well used track

Delta then decided to stay off the tracks and move to the interception point through the bush with haste. The ambushed became the ambushers as Delta opened up on the fleeing gumen as they approached the border point as predicted. All gunmen were killed with 1 Delta member wounded when a captured Feral pulled a knife while surrendering.

A Feral gunman surrendering and under watch while one of his associates lays dead not too far away

Delta them moved off to a chosen CASEVAC LZ to evacuate their wounded and receive resupply and a replacement team member.

No sign of the contents of the SF Weapons Cache were found so HQ directed Delta 1-6 to proceed to a commonly travelled road and set up a Vehicle Check Point to check all passing vehicles. Many vehicles were checked with 1 vehicle (an old volvo) trying to run the checkpoint. All of the passengers of that vehicle (who later turned out to be Feral gunmen), were killed. During the gun battle, a Ford with a local Somali journalist and his cameraman working for CNN were also killed. Inspection of the volvo recovered a number of items from the mission SF Cache.

Delta 1-6 had little time to rest. A SAR blackhawk had gone down in the area and Delta were tasked with finding the crew and securing the crash site until another SAR chopper could reach them. A large gun battle ensued around the crash site with eventual success for Delta who recovered the sole surviving crewmember and moved him to a secure position for EVAC.

The surviving blackhawk SAR crew member hiding in thick brush near a stagnant creek

UAV sorties had been operating all through the day to try to pinpoint the stolen SF Cache which was believed to have been taken to a hideout used by the gunmen. At around 1400hrs, Delta 1-6 had it's location relayed to them and they proceeded to move on a small hilltop which contained a building with a number of water tanks. It was confirmed that the SF Cache was there along with a number of other items used by the Ferals and after a short firefight, C4 was placed and the whole building with its contents was destroyed.

A Delta 1-6 team member securing the perimeter of the Feral weapons shed where the SF cache was found

Another member of Delta 1-6 provides overwatch as the shed is cleared of gunmen, and charges are set

Delta was exhausted. They moved to their EXFIL, secured it and boarded the chopper with sighs of relief that a good meal was soon to come and maybe just maybe a good night of rest as well.

A job well done boys!

(add any further comments or suggestions using the Comments link below)

Chopper's Self-made Kit

2007-08-24T10:27:00.002+10:00

Chopper really has done a great job kitting himself up. Well done mate! I know it has inspired a lot of others to have a go. Don't forget to approach Chopper if you need a hand.

MilSims Evo 5 (18 Aug 07)

2007-08-19T13:59:00.001+10:00

Thanks to all who attended Military Sims - Evolution 5 - Saturday Aug 18 at Samford. Special thanks to Cougar from Logan Laser Skirmish for some of the equipment and for the site.

The Points were as follows:

Each Operative starts with 1000pts
Primary Objective completed +200pts for each Operative
Secondary Objective completed +50pts for each Operative
Operative is KIA - 100pts for the applicable Operative

So, based on that:

Delta 1-6 won by scoring 7000pts
Echo 1-4 scored 4200pts

Well done to both squads. Come great combat occurred and some great stories have been told.

Individual Stats Sheets from FragScore will be issued next week.

Here is a couple of pics.

PT about to start with the kids from Logan Laser Skirmish Boot Camp included

Mr White with his new "toy" that he made himself

Regards

David - Ace

Location: Allawah

2007-08-12T07:11:00.004+10:00

ALLAWAH SCOUT GROUNDS - Allawah Road, Mt Crosby

Click here for the above image on whereis.com.au

Click here for the above image on whereis.com.au

MilSims Evo 4 (28 Jul 07)

2007-07-29T17:41:00.001+10:00

AFTER ACTION REPORT
MilSims Evolution 4 - Sat 28 July 2007

The 1st 6 hour session following the new format in 200 acres of Rainforest at Springbrook. Beautiful lush terrain and fantastic views of the Gold Coast and Tweed skylines. Awesome!

Briefing for Force A and B

Delta 1-6/4th AO – Ramwan Sector – Southern Kosovo – July 2007

Welcome to Kosovo Delta Company. You have been briefed on the situation here in your UN Orientation earlier this week. In summary, you are part of the Kosovo UN Security Force (KFOR) working with UK, Denmark, USA and Polish peacekeeping forces. As part of Ready Force (REDEFOR) you must maintain a high state of alert and be ready to deploy in the minimum amount of time required as per your training.

Background
Kosovo has been a warzone as we know it since the early 1990s but the problems go way back earlier than that. The UN role here is to keep the Serbian forces away from the Croatian forces. Recently the Serbian forces have conducted genocide activities against the Croatians after many years of being on the receiving end of the same. We must help restore peace and law and order to this part of Europe.

Operation Intruders
Intel has observed and confirmed the presence of a renegade Russian Special Forces team of Spetnaz that have moved into our AO. Their purpose here is not known but they have been here for a little over a week now without causing any trouble that we know of. They can only be up to no good. A lot of Russian ex-military are bankrolled by the Serbian forces as mercenaries.

Primary Objective
Leave 2 or 3 operators at your Infil/Exfil point to set up a defensive position (can go up to 2 squares away from that point) to fall back to if needed. You are to move through our AO and locate this Mercenary team. Once you locate them, set up an OP and record as much information as possible. HQ will contact you for locations, numbers, activities, armaments, etc. HQ will advise of when and where you are to exfil from the area. You are to try to avoid any contact with the enemy. This may spook them to move elsewhere and we may lose tracking them altogether.

Secondary Objective
Local villagers report seeing a large machine gun located somewhere around Map Ref L19. If you can, recon the area and locate and secure this weapon. If it is in working condition, you may deploy it as part of your Infil/Exfil fallback position.

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Delta 1-6
A support squad is available and is designated Delta 2-6
An exfil Blackhawk helicopter will pick you up and is on standby should you need immediate evac. Its designation is Helo 2-6
HQ is Delta-6

Your Map
A map of our AO is attached. Note the red border line is the out of bounds area of our AO. Do not cross this line. Any clearing is basically a highpoint of terrain. Anything else moving away from the clearing goes downhill. A track leads from point H30 (the UN base) to the Government Communications Tower at S21. An above ground set of powerlines runs from M26 to Q20. Going too far West will get you into hard going terrain. Be careful! If you lose your orientation, head to the highest point with a clearing.

Infil – Map Ref J26
Exfil - Map Ref J26

Jungle Ambush about to go down

Chopper and Owl on recon patrol

Delta 1-6 all kit up

The Delta 1-6 disappearring act

MilSims Evo 3 (19 May 07)

2007-05-20T17:53:00.001+10:00

BREIFINGS

TEAM A - 4th AO - Al Samawah – May 19

'A' Company has been assigned a new sector north of our original area of operations.

Operation IED Intercept

Iraqi National Police have discovered an insurgent IED team operating in our AO. They were observed less than 10 minutes ago moving NE through our AO.

Primary Objective
You are to locate this team and kill or capture them all thus preventing them from deploying and IED. They must not be allowed to set up another IED.

You will be inserted at Point E21 by Hummv. Secure this zone and check radio comms with HQ before moving out to your target.

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Alpha 1-6
A support squad is available and is designated Alpha 2-6
HQ is Alpha-6

Intel suggests a 6 – 10 insurgents in this IED team.

The area is residential and is in the Green Zone so watch your fire. Civilian casualties will not be tolerated.

Once the mission is complete, radio HQ and you will be advised on your Ex-fil location.

Good hunting!

TEAM B - 4th AO - Al Samawah – May 19

'A' Company has been assigned a new sector north of our original area of operations.

Operation IED Sweep Support

Iraqi National Police have discovered an insurgent IED team operating in our AO. They were observed less than 10 minutes ago moving NE through our AO. You are to provide area security for an Army IED Sweep Team as they electronically scan the area for IED signatures. This team is to be protected at all costs.

Primary Objective
Provide security for the IED Sweep Team to complete their job and get back to base.

You will be inserted at Point P18 by Hummv. Secure this zone and check radio comms with HQ before moving out to your objective. HQ will provide you with the link up location for the Sweep Team.

Comms Designations:
Your squad is designated Bravo 1-6
A support squad is available and is designated Bravo 2-6 should you need them
HQ is Bravo 6

The area is residential and is in the Green Zone so watch your fire. Civilian casualties will not be tolerated.

Once the meeting is complete, radio HQ and you will be advised on your Ex-fil location.

Good luck!

MilSims Evo 2 (21 Apr 07)

2007-04-22T17:57:00.001+10:00

BRIEFINGS for MilSims Evolution 2 - Saturday April 21, 2007

Another great Evolution! Skills training was increased from 30 minutes to 45 minutes which was much needed. Putting these skills into practice let to some great action in the missions that followed. Well done all!

Briefing for Force A

4th AO - Al Samawah - June 16'A' Company has been assigned the task of clearing the sector in the southern district of Al Samawah. Our settling in time is over. Its time to get to work. 'B' and 'C" Companies are to our left and right respectively.Due to the other 2 companies having been in the AO a whole 2 weeks earlier than we are, any resistance has been pushed together into our sector. Local Intel indicates that the Local Government Building section of our AO is particularly active with suspected insurgent activity.

** Operation Mortar Silence **

HQ is currently tracking through the use of an UAV, an insurgent Mortar team operating within our AO. They have been particularly effective at shooting and scooting and now is the time to put it at an end.

Primary Objective

You are to locate this team and kill or capture them all and retrieve or spike the mortar.
You will be inserted at Point 25,24. Secure this LZ and radio in to HQ for an updated position of your target.

Comms Designations:

Your squad is designated Alpha 1-6
A support squad is available and is designated Alpha 2-6
HQ is Alpha-6

Intel suggests a dozen or so insurgents in and around the Mortar team and spotter.
The area is residential so watch your fire. Civilian casualties will not be tolerated.
Once completed, radio HQ and you will be advised on your Ex-fil location.

Good hunting!

Briefing for Force B

'B' Company has been assigned the task of clearing the sector in the southern district of Al Samawah. Our settling in time is over. Its time to get to work. 'A' and 'C" Companies are to our left and right respectively.
Due to the other 2 companies having been in the AO a whole 2 weeks earlier than we are, any resistance has been pushed together into our sector. Local Intel indicates that the Local Government Building section of our AO is particularly active with suspects.
Therefore Brass has passed down an OP for us.

Operation Negotiate Support

HQ is sending a CIA negotiator to meet with the local religious leader in our AO in an effort to obtain a ceasefire.

Primary Objective

You are to provide area security for the meeting.
You will be inserted at Point 18,15. Radio in to HQ once you have set up a defensive perimeter centering on grid point 20,16. This is where the meeting will take place.

Comms Designations:

Your squad is designated Bravo 1-6
A support squad is available and is designated Bravo 2-6 should you need them
HQ is Bravo 6

The area is residential and is in the Green Zone so watch your fire. Civilian casualties will not be tolerated.
Once the meeting is complete, radio HQ and you will be advised on your Ex-fil location.

Good luck!

Hawkins, Goliath and Doc providing 360 degree security to cover the meeting between the CIA negotiator and the local religious leader

The only unclasified image taken of the CIA negotiator during the meeting

Location: Springbrook

2007-03-21T07:38:00.000+10:00

Springbrook

This is a private property a little West of the Gold Coast. Full details are given to those who book in to the relevant session.

Location: Samford

2007-03-21T07:26:00.001+10:00

Baden Powell Park Scout Camping Grounds
cnr Samford Road & Cash Avenue, Samford

Click here for the above image on whereis.com.au

Click here for the above image on whereis.com.au

MilSims Evo 1 (10 Mar 07)

2007-03-11T19:03:00.001+10:00

AFTER ACTION REPORT
MilSims Evolution 1 on Sat March 10, 2007

Great 1st session! All parts of the proposed program were run and all to schedule for the entire 4 hours. Well done guys.
The combat was great. Fireteams worked well together. Seeking, then engaging, then outmanouvering each other as each sought to accomplish their respective objectives in the time allotted. The tactics were so fierce that in 1 of the 10 minute phases, neither fireteam actually made contact at all as each was moving in way that was exactly the opposite direction to the other. That was funny! Even after 1 of the teams gave their position away after beng confronted by a 9 year old civilian boy - whom they actually shot and killed!
The response from the session's attendees was very positive with lots of ideas noted for future development of the program.

Thanks guys!

Briefing for Force A - 4th AO - Al Samawah - June 16

'A' Company has been assigned the task of clearing the sector in the southern district of Al Samawah. Our settling in time is over. Its time to get to work. 'B' and 'C" Companies are to our left and right respectively.Due to the other 2 companies having been in the AO a whole 2 weeks earlier than we are, any resistance has been pushed together into our sector. Local Intel indicates that the Local Government Building section of our AO is particularly active with suspected insurgent activity.

Objective Alpha

2nd Platoon is to deploy 1-2 Squads to the North of this section to DZ Alpha at grid reference 14;10. At 1030hrs, these Squads are to combat patrol through the buildings south to Waypoint 1 at grid 13;19. You have 10 minutes to report in at Waypoint 1. Your Objective is to clear that northern edge of the Local Government Building section of our sector to allow civies following to set up for operations in rebuilding local infrastructure. Clear the section carefully. Civilian losses will not be tolerated!

Objective Bravo

At 1045hrs, continue moving south through the central section of Local Government Buildings to Waypoint 2 at grid 12;10. Your Objective here is to carefully clear out any enemy activity and make it safe for the following civies. Again, make sure this section is completely clear of suspect activity. You have 10 minutes to report in at Waypoint 2.

Remember, there are locals living and working in this area so remember your ROE and remember your training. Report in anything unexpected.

Ready Group Alpha comprising of Squads from 3rd Platoon will be on call should things get out of hand.

If all goes well you should be done in 30 minutes and be back here by 1100hrs.

Briefing for Force B - 4th AO - Al Samawah - June 16

'A' Company has been assigned the task of clearing the sector in the southern district of Al Samawah. Our settling in time is over. Its time to get to work. 'B' and 'C" Companies are to our left and right respectively.Due to the other 2 companies having been in the AO a whole 2 weeks earlier than we are, any resistance has been pushed together into our sector. Local Intel indicates that the Local Government Building section of our AO is particularly active with suspected insurgent activity.

Objective Alpha

2nd Platoon is to deploy 1-2 Squads to the Waypoint 1 at grid reference 13;15 and its surrounds. Local intel reports that a group of militia will be moving through this point at approximately 1030hrs on a regular extortion and recruitment task. Your Objective is to ambuse and eliminate all members of this group to continue the protection of civies in their operations in rebuilding local infrastructure. Keep this section of this sector clear. Civilian losses will not be tolerated!

Objective Bravo

At 1045hrs, move to grid 12;12 to intercept a local sniper and his comrade. These guys are rating low risk and are a secondary objective but lets get them out of the game before they become too good at it. Your Objective here is to carefully eliminate the enemy. Again, make sure this section is completely clear of suspect activity. You have 10 minutes to complete this and report in.

Remember, there are locals living and working in this area so remember your ROE and remember your training. Report in anything unexpected.

Ready Group Alpha comprising of Squads from 3rd Platoon will be on call should things get out of hand.

If all goes well you should be done in 30 minutes and be back here by 1100hrs.

A fireteam holding position with 360 degree all round security. (Cougar, Mosquito, Eclipse and Cracker)

A rifleman and SAW gunner lay down suppressing fire for the rest of their fireteam. (Owl and Chopper)

The SAW team (the SAW gunner and riflemen) from a fireteam cover the rear of the teams position as the team leader and rifleman consult the map for a flanking movement. (Mosquito and Cougar)

ABOUT MILITARY SIMS

2007-01-01T23:18:00.002+10:00

Mission Statement:
Military Sims exists as a user run program for advanced users of laser combat and military enthusiasts who want to take their combat simulation to the next level – as close to a modern squad based combat experience as possible - without the bullets.

What Military Sims is:
Military Sims is a program run by advanced users for advanced users.
Military Sims is for those interested in a realistic squad based modern combat experience.
Military Sims is for those open to learning skills to take their experience to a new level.

What Military Sims is not:
It is not for minors - recommended age is 18 or above
It is not for those who exploit the mechanics of their tools or systems for use
It is not for those who chase points - the experience is the ultimate outcome

Who Military Sims is for:
Advanced/Veteran Laser Skirmish/Combat players
Current & Ex Service Personnel
Police & Security Personnel
Mature Computer & Console Gamers

Why MilSims is needed:
* There is a desire out among advanced users of Laser Combat systems and Console Players for a realistic team based modern combat experience.
* There are a number of users currently in or retired from the military with strong combat skills and/or experiences.
* It has been noticed that by pushing the authenticity of Laser Combat scenarios for advanced users, there is a direct relation to the drive to improve the quality of the software and hardware available.
* There may be an opportunity for a small group of elite players that can be made available to the local movie making industry as extras.
* Introductory players to Laser Combat (usually minors) in our region need something to advance to in order for them to commit to Laser Combat as a regular hobby they wish to invest in. This in turn should help any local Laser Combat businesses with their retention KPIs.
* One the growing industries in the western world is the use of private security operators in military roles and policing. There may be an opportunity for this program to be registered as a realistic training environment.

How does MilSims work?
Each MilSims session runs for 6 hours + set up time prior + debrief time after the session.
Each attendee booked in to the session will receive a Session Pack on arrival.

Set Up Time:
Mandatory - Aim to arrive around 0815 - 0830 to check your gear and your Session Pack.

Debrief Time:
Optional - Allow for up to 30 mins following the session for discussions on what was good, bad and how to make the program better.

This entire program is run by users like you so your input is valued.

M4

2006-01-01T14:15:00.001+10:00