operation: drop zone

  Why am I getting out of this warm bed? Because it is the first

weekend of the month. That only means one thing,  it is Dec-

ember training at Camp Stasa. With a very dismal deer hunt-

ing season coming to an end, a little forget fullness on my

part that muzzle loading season opened Friday the 2^nd.

Not the 9^th, or second weekend of December, like in years past.

   The Bay Co. guys met at our regular meeting spot and dared

the cold tundra of Camp Stasa. Road conditions, very good, with

a little less snow here in Bancroft. Back in Bay City we had about three

inches on the deck.

   Lot of activity here at Camp Stasa: Trucks all over, a Bob Cat on a

trailer and a dump truck ready for action. Seems Mr. Stasa and the

boy are playing lumber jacks.

   Always nice to see a few vehicles in the parking lot. The road leading

back is in really good shape. No problem finding a parking spot today.

Something told me that turn out would be on the low side. Only the die

hards out here today. If that is the case then where the Pioneer guys?

Home in their beds or hard at work? If they could they would be here.

   D-day, Bullet and Pale Rider greeted us on our arrival. They braved the cold

and spent the night last night. They had a nice fire going by the mess area

and a fire going in the big tent in case conditions got worse. Now those guys

are thinking.

    First off I had a rifle to sight in. Last year during the wild boar hunt I fell on

some ice hard. I feared the worst, I just hoped my scope was still on. We all went

down range and put up a series of targets. Just for fun I set up a few bowling

pins. The range is hot! Before I knew it I cleared two tables of bowling pins.

Viper asked if I needed to adjust my scope? Why? A little fine tuning on

paper and put it back in the case. Bullet was working with two different weapons. 

Add another one to the ranks, Bullet qualified Level 1. Pale rider had no

problems with his Car 15. D-Day was all set up ready to go but to his surprise

he left a part to his M-1 home. What a bummer. Even Viper did some shooting.

He is a guy with a broken foot, he’s out here. What’s your excuse? Most of the

time he spots and works with people with gun issues. A good guy to have over

your shoulder.

   Over the summer I was in contact with Sparky. He saw the web site and had

some interest in what the Militia is all about. So he braved the cold, and made a special guest

appearance. He brings a lot of knowledge  with him. What a scene of humor he kept us in stitches

a good part of the afternoon.

    A lone voice came over the radio.  I must say hearing Chuck Wagon's voice can only mean a hot meal is just minutes away. Right to the grill, fire blazing, beans and Polish Dogs. Three bucks for two dogs and  all the beans you can eat. In the future we must discuss if this is a good idea. Hot coffee for those who can stomach that gruesome beverage. For breakfast I brought out the boys some m&m cookies. Sure glad it held them till Chuck Wagon got here.

    Right after lunch D-Day went down for some hand gun practice. Lets say he doesn’t need much practice.

Here is another young gun, gunning for Super Six at the Militia Field Day. Put my self in the picture and that makes three of us. I’m sure there are a few more maintaining radio silence. He had a new Glock he was working with, can’t remember the model. But it was a 9 mm. I emptied a few magazines with my S&W 9mm. I  just wish I had more ammo. Isn’t that always the story?

    Chuck Wagon took Pale Rider, Bullet and Sparky for a level 1 walk. The rest of us moved back to the hundred yard line. On this walk Chuck Wagon came up with the name for this operation. I guess on the walk Pale rider fell along the way. So operation Drop Zone was born. It was the best we could do. He must of fell on his head. Between Sparky and Pale Rider the afternoon was quite comical.

    It seemed everyone new this weekend got his or her handles. Chuck Wagon came up with Bullet and Pale Rider.  Even our old friend Vince acquired the name God Father something to do with his Italian background. Can this guy recite movies, war movies of course.  Must say he does some good imitations. I warned Sparky he better come up with a name or I was going to name him. He knows the name. I’m just waiting for someone to ask me for a nickname.

    Get this, first time out. Did a level 1 walk, shot ten out of ten. I would like to welcome Sparky to the Ranks of the East Central Volunteer Militia. We went by a map Rancher found. This should work out nice like the S.M.V.M. With all in e-mails from the surrounding counties, we will be able to work closer together.

   We did some late evening shooting but with daylight coming to a end it put a limit on our day. All in all, what a day! Two people qualified level 1. Good food and good friends.