Operation; SILENT HUNTER
On August 17th members of the ECEF joined the Macomb County
and others for a day of level 1 training as well as other drills. We were joined by a
returning member from Macomb and 2 new members. We also had a visitor from Canada.
The ECEF arrived around 1030 with Scoob,Scrappy,Rick, and our visitor from the great
white north. This was Scrap's father (ex-navy) who was interested in seeing how well his
daughter was shooting and working with the team.
We were welcomed by a member who had spent the night on Friday. We unloaded and
geared up for the day. Spent a little time down range, And did a little clean up around
the camp. Around 1130 a regular from Macomb showed up and of course we piled the questions
upon him about the where abouts of Wagon wheel. This was out of concern as he was not at
the Camp-o-rific
weekend. A short time later we had a incoming vehicle that was unrecognized. This turned
out to be a kindly older woman who had spoken with Wagon Wheel about the Militia and was
hoping to get some basic handgun training for her new S&W handgun she had purchased
for her own defense. Welcome Barb and we hope to see again you soon. We had a very
wonderful conversation and both of us (Barb and I) were surprised by the others views. She
very much agrees that what we do is not only a good thing but necessary. As Mike wasn't on
site yet I assigned Scrappy the duty of going down range with Barb and giving her some
tutelage.
Around 1230 Wagon Wheel made radio contact hoping to get some help unloading Mr.
Stasa's 3-wheeler from his truck. Dale and I hustled up to the farm to assist. Arriving
back at camp we were joined by Johnny and Kathy. Johnny was geared up and ready to get
qualified. We were also joined by Dan who had brought a potetional new member Mark.
Welcome to these new
found friends. Since training got a late start we jumped right in. We geared up and ran
through some hand signals both for the new members and for those who have been around.
Never can have to much training. We headed out in 2 groups; the first for time and the
second at their own pace. We made good time on the first leg and after making the turn for
the second mile it was discovered that our second group was not in site. Upon a signal
from Wagon Wheel we dispersed into a defensive posture. Scrap and Rick had the road
covered well but, Scraps red hair gave her away. Rick on the other hand was well concealed
and would have gotten some of us. The rest of the hike was uneventful other then the last
couple of hundred yards, we took
off in a run and 1 member trying to better Mike lost his footing,tumbled and lightly
pulled a hamstring.He was game for the rest of the day but needed to take it easy.
Everyone made it in time and we took a break for
water and some siting in time.(something that I should have done of more in its place)
After some time we got the range ready for qualifying. Johnny had a really nice bushmaster
CAR-15 but was having some trouble with ejection. We have seen this before and the general
thought was it needed cleaning. Mark had a well souped
up Mini-14 as well as a M1. Rick of course had his Contender as well as a rare Winchester
94 in .25-.35 caliber. Rick got his 8 out of 10 with this rifle.
After another short break we did some untimed 4-pin drills so the new people could
see how its done. I went first and had good luck on the first pin. I went down hill from
there. After expending over 60 rds on the third pin I decided that next time I will spend
some time siting in. Live and learn. Scrap thought she would show me how its done
but.....couldn't get past the first pin. Not siting in and Mike and I giving her a good
ribbing put the end to her turn. Rick took a turn and his .22-250 bolt action did 4 pins
in 5 shots. Dale went next at an easy pace and did fairly well.
Johnny went next and be accident picked up MY AR-15, loaded
a mag of his, racked it, and preceded to jam 2 rds in the chamber. How? I don't know. He
was very apologetic about it and after about 30 minutes and about 15 different hands I got
it free. I ran down range and fired 1 round with no problem. Then I fired 12 3 rd burst
with no problem. Whew!!
Then Mike lined us up for some moves on franks Barn. We moved out across the field
in 2 3 man squads and covered traveling, traveling over watch and bounding overwatch. The
barn was cleared and we headed back in a large wedge across the field. Johnny led us in
this move and gave excellent hand signals on the way.
We broke for dinner at this time and said our good-byes to Barb who had observed all
of this with interest. Thanks to Johnny and Kathy for the sloppy joes. They hit the
spot!!!
With the timely arrival of Walt (1900!!!) we formed up in 2 3 man teams. A and B
teams moved separately to the far end of the plowed field opposite of the road at upon a
radio signal the 2 teams moved toward the barn. The objective was to see which team could
get there first, clear the buildings, and set up an ambush for the other team. A team with
yours truly had the
biggest disadvantage, we were on the side the range is on and would have to cross the open
field to get to he buildings. I decided that the best way would be double time through the
woods to the backstop and attempt to high crawl through the beans. Upon getting to the
bean field there was no way we could get there in a timely fashion. With not seeing B team
or knowing what Mike
would do we made a snap decision to bound across the open field in fast 30 yd runs. 2 men
covering the one running. This worked until we got half way and again I made another snap
decision to leave one man back for sniper and covering fire. Me and Johnny made 2 more
bounds then rushed the barn from the road side. When I was about 15 yds from the silos
Mike come around the corner. I was hit!! But Johnny being 10 yards behind me would have
him. This was great fun as well as exhausting. The run through the woods and then the
sprint to the barn had us!! We spent about 20 minutes catching our breath and debriefing
the moves.
After heading back to camp it was time for the ECEF to pull out. We said our
good-byes to both old and new friends and went away knowing that the Michigan Militia is
growing in both numbers and thanks to our training in strength.
Hope to see you all at the next training which is Shotgun
Day!!
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Yours in Liberty
LW
Team Leader
ECEF