BTOC Training Mission in Sand Canyon

BTOC Training Mission

The scheduled training mission, Operation Sand Canyon III was only partially completed, due to lack of numbers. However, for those that did take part in the training mission, a lot was learned, and most importantly, we had a great time.

Prior to the actual mission, George, Tucker, and I did some Force on Force contact drills with Patillo as the aggressor. I ran point during one of the drills. I’d almost forgotten how nerve racking it is being on point, waiting for someone to pop out right in front of you! After several of these drills, with good AARs, we ran the Op.

The operation was to consist of a movement to contact in a known hub of bad guy activity, and then a raid on a mock terrorist safe house. We were only able to complete the first part of the mission, in which the BTOC 3 man patrol ambushed a two man enemy “Scout Team.” Here’s how it went:

Intel stated that the OPFOR, in this case an element of FAKAT (Fat Asian Kid Airsoft Team) was operating in a wash N/W of the bad guy safe house. They were acting as a Observation / Scout Team, to pre-alert the safe house for incoming bad guys (BTOC.)

The three man patrol, which consisted of George, Tucker, and I patrolled from our insertion point, established an ORP and then George spidered the west side of the wash, in attempt to located that FAKAT element. The FAKAT’s were a little sneakier than we thought, and the patrol had to scout several spots on the rise overlooking the wash in order to locate the enemy.

George overheard the FAKATs talking, and I was able to briefly spot one of the FAKATs moving around behind some trees. As part of the training, I set up the patrol in a hasty ambush, and we let loose on the enemy position. However they had good cover, and we pulled back, after not hitting anyone.

We moved farther down the side of the wash, and George spotted the enemy and they spotted us. George engaged, and I moved Tucker and George into position in the wash, while covered their movement.

The first FAKAT we encountered was that FAKAT Erik! Patillo had staggered off behind Erik, and was also engaging, from a well covered position. George and Tucker began moving on the enemy, using good fire and maneuver techniques. I provided overwatch and was able to take out the first FAKAT (Erik) from a good covered and elevated position, that FAKAT never stood a chance.

George and Tucker continued their frontal assault against Patillo, as I moved to the flank. George and Tucker took Patillo out, before I completed my maneuver. Either way, the second FAKAT was doomed!

This phase of the mission went very well. Great job guys! It was text book fire and maneuver, and I think everyone really learned a lot from this simple mission.

At the completion of this mission, the raid on the safe house was cancelled due to staffing issues, we just did not have enough guys to make it work. Oh well, we will save it for the full BTOC class, it will be a blast!

TSOG 1 OUT!

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CONVERSATIONS WITH JORDAN, PART ONE:

Tak: Hey Jordan, they’re going to have Humvee’s at Lion Claws this year!

Jordan: Oh no, that’s not gonna work.

Tak: Why not?

Jordan: You can only fit so many fat asian kids in the back of a Humvee.