Airsoft in the YubaCity / Marysville area.

AAR Operation: IRON SPIDER

In the wake of the deaths of an entire ranger team in Nangahar Province, a US joint task force was sent to, seek unofficial revenge on the Taliban/Mujahidin/name your enemy in the area.

Evolution One: Two USAF Combat controllers were sent ahead of the task force to secure the insertion point and direct the task force to its first objective. Team Forlorn Hope arrived at the farm house with several civilians outside. Specialist "Scramble" fired upon, and killed two civilians (Update: after being arrested for his actions. SPC "Scramble" was allowed to continue the operation. However, upon returning to Bagram Airfield, SPC "Scramble was taken back into custody then given a written reprimand.) Forlorn Hope received sporadic enemy fire while trying to take control of the farm house. At one point SPC "Scramble" attempted to take the village elder into custody for interfering with the task force where he was gunned down by an insurgent hiding amongst the civilians. Eventually the farm house was taken, and some minor intel was recovered. Reports indicate that critical intelligence was smuggled out of the village right in front of a Forlorn Hope team member. In further operations, OPCOM Recommends training on handling civilians and securing objectives.

Evolution 2: OPFOR forces successfully held the pillbox and facilitated an exfiltration of a VIP (later determined to be a HVT with a capture order from US Secretary of Defence). This was a difficult objective and after the VIP's departure the base was lightly defended before completely pulling out and retreating to their command post.

Evolution 3: Forlorn Hope made several impressive, although ultimately unsuccessful pushes to take the Command post. They made a valiant effort and their sacrifices will not be forgotten. Ultimately a captured enemy mortar placement used by other available assets in the region moved some OPFOR forces around forcing the OPFOR to abandon their command post.

Due to time, player condition, heat and conflicting schedules we were forced to cancel the final two evolutions and close the OP on a positive note.

The pistol competition was a tight race with 3rd place being a tie (differing in the thousandths of a second). Aaron "Flapjack" earned the top spot with an impressive time (I forget what it was, hopefully someone can post it for proper credit) and took home his brand new KWA ATP courtesy of JF Paintball and Airsoft.

I was also given a $25 gift certificate to JF Paintball and Airsoft to give to the player OPCOM felt was the best sportsman of the day. It was extremely difficult to choose just one, and only after a discussion it was decided that Seth "Scramble" Wright deserved the honor. OPCOM felth He pushed the US team to greater success and even after watching his plans meet less than stellar success, he always had a positive, never give up attitude. I want to give a shout out to Carl "Preacha" Wiley, for his positive attitude despite being named US Team Captain on his very first visit to DRAEX field. To EVERYONE else, you all made today great. Thank you, I take pride in the fact I heard nothing but positive reactions to this OP. But like I said several times, if it wasn't for the players, all I had was words, you made the day.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Aguilar on October 15, 2011 at 8:12pm

This Operation was ran beautifully and was one of the best I have been to. Thank you Phoenix for running such a tight ship and keeping everything under control. Also thanks for writing about my rescue of the village elder from the oppression of those capitalist pigs. That was definitely the highlight of my day.

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Permalink Reply by Edric on October 15, 2011 at 8:22pm

Thank you Phoenix for planning and running this op. One of the best run ops I have been to.

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Permalink Reply by Komissar on October 15, 2011 at 11:50pm

This OP was truly a high point of the Diamond Corps team, and a special privilege for me to be a part of it. The addition of a civilian element I felt added the so often unfound realism which leaves most operators wanting and wondering what it could have been like. Here we have combat veterans who are elated at finding some realism in their combat involvement. These are the real guys telling you your doing something right! Thank you Phoenix for running such a high quality event.

Again I want to that JF Paintball & Airsoft for their generous donations to the event! And to John who let me put him to work running one of the courses. Drake's field and the Diamond Corps team look forward to working with their great organization in future events!

IRON SPIDER PISTOL COMPETITION TIME FINALS

1st Place - Aaron Harbert with 5.28 on THE DROP, 4.55 on COMBAT, and 4.14 on STICK-UP for a TIME FINAL of 4.65

2nd Place - Charlie Williams with 5.97 on THE DROP, 5.90 on COMBAT, and 4.58 on STICK-UP for a TIME FINAL of 5.48

3rd Place - Matt Johnsen with 6.09 on THE DROP, 5.27 on COMBAT, and 5.27 on STICK-UP for a TIME FINAL of 5.54

3rd Place - Derek Ewen with 7.09 on THE DROP, 5.44 on COMBAT, and 4.11 on STICK-UP for a TIME FINAL of 5.54

Congratulations to Seth Wright for winning the Best Sportsman award! Several of us 'bad guys' suffered his wrath as he led his team repeatedly into heavily contested enemy territory. Hard Corps!

It was a great honor to have this opportunity to work with and against so many responsible and positive operators!

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Permalink Reply by Preacha on October 16, 2011 at 7:22pm

Again, Phoenix, thank you for the time and effort put into planning this OP. Having DMed a number of years I can totally relate to the stress of trying to make it work and make it fun for all involved. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The realism of the operation and the welcoming spirit and operators was absolutely phenomenal. The overwhelming odds, civilian components and my unfamiliarity with the site made for a truly immersing experience. I look forward to other OPs and missions.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Patti on October 20, 2011 at 9:46pm

As my second OP at Draex, this was exceptional. I'm looking forward to many more just like it!

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Permalink Reply by Tank on October 22, 2011 at 4:22pm

i thought i posted this but apparently it did not get through but i had a great time with this op and it had many different aspects that i never thought i would play at outside of operation lions claw due to numbers. but as diamond corps usually is we made it work. phoenix for your first op i give you a standing ovation due to your technical skill and your attention to detial great op.

and at chris this is not to bash your ops. i love DC ops you can't find these anywhere else with this attention to detail and fun factor.