1 post tagged “camp blanding”

This was my first big airsoft event and it was fun, educational, and overwhelming. I've never done an after-action report before, and I wasn't even playing in this event. However, I was shooting with my camera---I took A LOT of photos, as you'll see on my flickr blog---and at least I can give you my perspective as an outside observer. This was also my first time using  this new camera---Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8. It's a low-end DSLR, but it has a super-zoom lense and I'm really pleased with how it performed.

The event took place at Camp Blanding's MOUT facility, in the middle of nowhere, Florida. Actually, the area features several wildlife preserves and state parks, and is probably a good spot for hiking, biking, and other types of outdoor recreation. The MOUT is also a popular site for paintball events.
We stayed at a cheap, unremarkable motel in Starke, which is about 25 minutes away from the entrance to the MOUT facility. The alternative was camping on-site, but since the site had no running water, I was glad to make the commute from the motel. I can't say much more about Starke, except that it's a prison town, has most of the popular chain fast-food restaurants, and the best place to eat in town is the IHOP. There are a couple of historical buildings, but didn't have time to check those out.
 

We arrived last Thursday and got a chance to walk around the MOUT facility before the event started. I had never seen such a place before, and I was fascinated by the "fake" town. Lots of cinder-block buildings with nothing in them, some made to look like they were damaged by bombs. The buildings were speckled with small windows for shooters, and some of the roofs and floors even had hardware fixtures for repelling. The area was surrounded by woods and sugar sand marked by tank tracks. I was also warned that there were bugs and snakes out there that could kill you, and prehistoric animals that are protected by state law (turtles and tortoise).

Pre-Game

Friday was mostly registration and chrono, vendor setup, and briefing, which took place mostly at the warehouse. There were several vendors of airsoft equipment at the event, along with other sponsors, and the Army recruiters even made an appearance over the weekend. I think they were impressed with our enthusiasm for the hobby. I told them I was too old for them, but I was surprised to learn that they are accepting people up to age 42, some of them even make it through, one of the guys said. LOL.

 

The heat was bad on Friday and we even saw our first heat casualties. I think the number one lesson learned from this experience was to STAY HYDRATED. Even the locals were struggling with this one. At the end of the day, even though it didn't seem like much activity, I felt exhausted.

Day 1

Saturday, bright and early, the red and blue forces started to form up and deploy. They even brought in a Humvee and two restored, deuce-and-a-half trucks to transport troops down to a starting point in the woods. I got to ride in one of the trucks for a couple of those trips. It was fun:D

However, once I got out there in the woods, I realized that because of the heat and my own personal limitations, I'd be better off hanging out closer to the town. So I volunteered to hang out with the group of NPCs stationed in Building 1, or what we called "The Embassy." We waited and waited for something to happen...it was somewhat fun and amusing pretending to be holed up in the embassy, waiting to be rescued or overrun by the enemy...but the scenario didn't play out exactly as the organizers expected. The action didn't really make it up to the town during that round.

 

After lunch, we were back in the embassy for round two. This game played out a bit differently, but still didn't end the way we anticipated. We waited, once again, for special forces to come to our rescue. In the meantime, one of the other reporters and I went to the roof to get some good shots. We start to see movement, a bit more action, and then I hear some shouting and I see the embassy staff making a run for it out the back door...without me! Doh! Oh well, at least I got some good photos.

So here goes my "No shit, there I was" story

I went back down into the building and there was only one marine left to hold it; the building was about to be overrun by the Red force. I was crouched against a wall, while BBs were literally spraying into the room through every window and door. I got to see Jason from AI up close in action. He managed to hold the room against the onslaught for several minutes! Until one of the enemy got him in the back with a pistol, through one of the small windows near the floor, doh! At that point, it was time to get some photos of the other side.

Night Ops

So after playing "photojournalist" all day, I borrowed a pistol to play in the night ops. I went along with the other NPCs and reporters who wanted to get some trigger time and we started out defending in one of the buildings that Red force was supposed to hold. It sounded like there was a lot going on outside. There were bright flashes from explosions and pyro, but we didn't see much action at our end of the street. However, I heard stories from folks who were closer to the front and they said it was one of the most fun games they ever played in, and I can believe it! Deathidol told me that he and Blue force held a building for a long time and it was about to be overrun when the game was called. I tried to get some good photos, but it was difficult. The other players near me didn't want me using a flash because it might give away our position, so I experimented with a flashlight, and the natural light. I think I got some good photos of the debriefing after that game.

 

Day 2, Sunday

They just did a simple-each force starts on opposite sides of town and tries to take it-scenario, first with Blue force at the bridge, and then they switched sides for the second game. I think I got some great action shots this day. I was basically free to move around as long as I didn't mind being shot at;)

...and there are many, many, many more photos on my flickr blog.

Comments from an Independent Observer

I noticed players on both sides cheating, and accusing each other of cheating. It seemed pointless, and the lesson I take from it is, even if you think someone is cheating, don't waste your time arguing about it. Just keep playing. At least in one case, the side accused of cheating was not actually cheating. It looked like the guy was not taking his hits, but after I walked over to his place, you could see that the BBs were just falling short of the mark. We had a good laugh about that:) It's a just a game. Don't forget that.

I saw examples of great teamwork, and non-teamwork. I saw both chivalrous and non-chivalry-like behaviour. I saw both good and bad sportsmanship. The lesson I take from that is, there is always going to be positive and negative in any situation. You can always choose to focus on the positive. Don't feed the negative.

A lot of people worked very very hard to make the event happen. It's obviously not easy coordinating an event of that size, with that many people involved. Some people took time off from work and basically donated their skills and services so others could have a good time and play a game. Don't take that for granted.

I really had a lot of fun just taking photos, and as much as I would like to get more experience as a player, I think I would have repeatedly gotten my ass handed to me if I actually played as a combatant. However, I did learn a lot by observing the other players. It was also a good test run of my uniform and the basics that I need to have with me all the time.  For example:

Thank Goodness for...

The camelback---indispensible. Don't go out without it.
Wiley goggles, treated with fogtek, with the tinted lenses for daytime, clear for night.
Shemagh (keffiyeh)---great as a sunshade, brow mop, etc. I would soak it in the cooler first.
Rocky tactical boots---without these, my feet would have been bloody stumps at the end of each day.
Wigwam performance socks---see above.
Under Armour---I should buy stock in the company.
Wipes/hand sanitizer---required anywhere you have to use a portalet or go outside.
Vitamin Water---my new best friend. I don't like gatorade, so this works better for me.
Clif bars or trail mix
Sunscreen, bug repellent, aspirin/pain reliever, etc.

One thing I was really bummed about: the Garmin Rino 120 GPS/two-way radio I bought worked for a couple days, then just quit on me right before the event. I had to send it back. It would have been cool and fun to play with at the event.

What would I have done differently?

- Not gotten sick or had an allergy flare up, or whatever that ailment was that plagued me all weekend. I might just be allergic to the state of Florida. Before I go there again, I need to find out if I do have allergies so I can be better prepared.

- Brought more guns. We only brought the one pistol because that would fit in the suitcase. For next time, we are going to invest in a large gun case so we can take a bigger arsenal. More guns=more fun.

My only suggestion to the organizers of such events: Provide more/better portalets, and hire a service to clean them daily. Please, on behalf of all the women who attended the event...we beg you...

My advice to anyone who attends such an event: STAY HYDRATED. Be prepared. DRINK WATER. Bring adequate gear. STAY HYDRATED. Bring backups. DRINK WATER. Expect gear to break or fail. STAY HYDRATED.