Operation Leap Frog July 3rd 2004

It was a beautiful morning on the eve of our nation’s birthday. As I geared up for my drive to Camp Stasa , I must admit that I was severely tempted to head for the beach instead. Intel always needs reports on the numbers and sizes of bikinis on the beach but alas, I was not going to provide one this Saturday.

When I arrived, I pulled in right behind D-Day. His job often gets in the way of his ability to come out on a summer Saturday so I was happy to see him. We geared up and hiked in together.

Several patriots were there already and just itching for some activity. Tinman, Mouse and Corporal Punishment were there along with some new faces looking to qualify as Level One Militiamen. In all, I think there were about a dozen of us by the end of the day.

At 1100 hours we began our standard level one two-miler. We finished in 30 and ½ minutes. The dry road was a big help on the march but the heat sure wasn’t. As temperatures began to climb that day my heart went out to our soldiers in Iraq. The heat alone would be enough to shut most of us down. Discipline and training keep our forces going. They are a good example for us all. Kudos to all of them.

At about 1140 hours we all gathered for a weapons familiarization class. Its good to know how weapons other than your own break down and function. You never know when you’ll need to pick up a weapon off a dead terrorist and use it on his accomplices. Several of us took turns demonstrating how to field strip our weapons and answering any questions we could about them.

Weapons covered included: the AR-15, M1 Garand (which is basically the same as an M1A) , AK-74 (just like an AK-47), a bolt action Marlin, the Berretta handgun, the Glock, a 1911 government style auto, a SIG 232, and a S&W Auto.

A gear check and qualification shooting followed and ran until lunch break at 1300 hours.

Chuck Wagon had arrived by then and fed us all with grade-A militia burgers. Hot food always tastes good – even on hot days. We should all be grateful for support personnel and the things they provide us..

At 1400 hours we began our small unit tactics. With Dennis heading up Bravo team, off we went bounding our way up the road to the second bend near “the dome”. Tactical movement - contact likely. We rallied in a tight 360 to get our brief for the return trip.

This time, situation – under fire, no escape, no retreat. We double-timed it back to muddy corner. Alpha team under fire - return fire - reload – Bravo return fire - reload - teams bounding at a full run. Drop prone, reload…

Did I mention it was hot?

From muddy corner, we deployed into the field and moved in wedge formation in bounding overwatch fashion. Contact – not likely. Movement was casual and a much-needed break for us under that hot sun.

As we neared camp we spotted what appeared to be a small crew served weapon emplacement ( my tent ) . We fanned out to practice an assault. Bravo team cover, shift fire, Alpha - assault , cover, Bravo sweep through. Check for intel, ACE report. A good exercise.

Finally back at camp, we took another water break. Super Six had arrived a bit late but he’d have told you to drink too. When it is hot out (and even when it isn’t) YOU MUST DRINK WATER! If you learn nothing else from this FTX it is that! For us bigger guys that sweat profusely even when standing still, it is even all the more important. If you aren’t peeing, you aren’t drinking enough.

From 1600 to 1630 hours we did a short drill on the range. With your battle rifle at close range, through the window opening, drop four pins with your strong side. Change mags, move across to the wall barricade and drop four more with your weak side. Simple? Not if you don’t practice. Shooting with the “wrong” hand is just plain tricky. Changing mags is a skill that always needs work too. It seems simple until you can’t reach your pouch latch (I swear the damn thing moved) or you drop your fresh mag as it arcs toward your rifle and lands in the dirt.

From 1630 to 1715 hours we took a dinner break. We followed that with a fun shoot to celebrate the fourth. As we stood on line and emptied our mags as fast as we could, I felt lucky to be here in the USA. I also feel just a bit safer knowing that two more Americans were up to our level one standard that day.

At about 1815 hours, D-Day and I headed out. Tired and sweaty, my mind wandered back the beach and all that intel I never gathered…