2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 18, 2008 23:53:17 GMT -5
I think everyone appreciates your situation Lee they're just giving you a hard time just as I'm giving Josh a hard time. We've all been in a situation where we wished we could clone ourselves and be in two places at once and Memorial Day weekend is just such a time. I'll miss Lion Claws for the first time in five years and that has been a sort of annual pilgrimage for my son and I.
I think posting Q&A here is a good idea as even folks who aren't likely to come can enjoy some of the prep vicariously while others who are coming can get additional information. There are still some details being worked out but I know one discussion that merits some thought is how AEGs can be protected for the jump. I suspect any kind of padded OD wrap or bag would probably be an acceptable solution with some parachord attached and will adequately simulate a griswold bag. I'd like to see some cannisters created for heavy weapons (Mortars, bazookas and MGs) that could have sections of parachutes attached that would have to be located and secured by the jumpers prior to their departure to the assembly areas. Also give the Krauts some things to search out and recover
Safety rules and means to identify any actual emergencies will have to be arrived at and a means to support them need to be finalized. Light sticks and whistles with an agreed upon briefed technique for idnetifying such a situation will have to be formalized.
The fields at the venue will feature extrmeley deep grass as they did the last two times we were there but that's a big plus. We can pre establish roads that obviously vehicles will be restricted to and there could be pre established lanes for the "Aircraft". Obviously so long as guys don't lay down in the roads or vehicles don't drive through the deep grass no one will get run over. Speeds of course are deliberately kept low both in daylight and especially at night.
The fields are nice and soft in most places so a low drop should be relatively safe for healthy strong young troopers and we'll give training and practice with realistic PLFs and techniques to avoid injury. We'll be sure the trucks simulating aircraft slow down to under 20 miles an hour before you have to jump out. (That's a joke of course!)
I'm not sure what the moon phase is for Memorial Day weekend but we operated in the drop zone areas during RECONDO school with no moon and while obviously quite dark you could function due to the wide expanse of mostly open terrain in those areas. Also the entire area has a natural established and readily identifyable boundaries which should prevent anyone from becoming entirely lost. (Area is bordered on three sides with a U shape in the river and to the south is a huge ridgeline and East West main road.) Folks will get disoriented but no one should get lost.
It'd be cool if we could get the owner to cut the tall grass in places to simulate hedgerows!
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Post by Jager.Drü on Feb 18, 2008 23:56:22 GMT -5
Asking him to cut it is prolly not a good idea, as he cut it all before Recondo.
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Post by collisi0n on Feb 19, 2008 0:39:36 GMT -5
I might actually be able to go to this one. I'll be coming as a glider trooper maybe, just to be different.
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Post by p51 on Feb 19, 2008 22:46:26 GMT -5
Just be sure the Airborne folks all memorize the lyrics to the classic song, "Blood on the risers"! I think everyone appreciates your situation Lee they're just giving you a hard time just as I'm giving Josh a hard time. We've all been in a situation where we wished we could clone ourselves and be in two places at once and Memorial Day weekend is just such a time. I'll miss Lion Claws for the first time in five years and that has been a sort of annual pilgrimage for my son and I. I figured it was just messing with me, but the problem with the internet is you just never know. I know I come across on line as a real pain in the backside quite often but (I think) I'm pretty friendly and easy to deal with in person. We can pre establish roads that obviously vehicles will be restricted to and there could be pre established lanes for the "Aircraft". Obviously so long as guys don't lay down in the roads or vehicles don't drive through the deep grass no one will get run over. Speeds of course are deliberately kept low both in daylight and especially at night. Using vehicles in tactical situations is always a dangerous thing, even with trained folks. I lost one of my soldiers in Korea once when he was lying prone in a (training) ambush against some tracks and dismounts, and a ROK M-113 veered off into the brush at high speed and went right over him. Another in my brigade also got run down by a track but survived, driven into the ground like a tent peg. His K-pot was squashed. I strongly suggest using "ground guides" on all vehicles when not on established (read: hard paved or gravel) roads. Running with blackout lights is something I would strongly oppose as it is something you REALLY need to know what you're doing to be safe. I actually once offered to teach a convoy and tactical driving course for the local blank firing re-enactment group but was told to go jump in the lake, even though at the time I was the Company Master Driver officer and held a permit to drive every vehicle a mechanized brigade has. I've noticed that most military vehicle owners have no clue how to drive even in a simple road convoy from A to B without leaving several slower vehicles behind. I frankly hate driving with the Willie and Joe guys, as a few of them will step on the gas and leave you very far behind without a second thought.
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Post by CharleyNovember on Feb 19, 2008 22:55:27 GMT -5
I am concerned about night drop safety but I feel confident Battlesim will do so in a safe manner.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 19, 2008 23:27:19 GMT -5
I think they did a great job at Gallant Saber on their Dawn jump and with the excellent training and rehearsal before hand and clear safety regualtions and expectations it went really well. I must admit I was quite nervous about the whole thing until I saw how they set it up. The only hazard was the jump master falling out of the truck and being dragged for a while "Indiana Jones style" but he's a RANGER so of course he is impervious to injury. I think we learned a little about the fact that the safety of the staff is also critical not just the participants.
At RECONDO school when we were simulating helicopter pickups at night it became doubly obvious that there needed to be a saftey procedure and clear methods for extracting folks as I went in on one pickup in the dark and fog and it was really scarey approaching what I knew to be the PZ. Just as real helicopter extraction we needed strobes and clear markings. The great thing about the field is we can completely restrict all vehicles to the clearly designated movement lanes and naturally speeds will be kept very very slow. Obviously all ground foot troops willstay out of the designated movement lanes and immediately to either side of them.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 22, 2008 16:04:29 GMT -5
For the last jump event the sponsors required a padded gun case or griswold bag. An inexpensive alternative would be to buy one of those canvas zippered OD Garand bags and get some thin foam as an insert. They are actually a very cool item and great for ahuling your airsoft rifle anyway. It seems like they sell for under $20.00 most places. Cheaperthandirt, IMA and Ebay. I have several that I use with my guns and they work well. I got the unpadded ones and just stuck in a layer of foam padding. Some searling cloth would also probably work too.
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Post by migmadmavis on Feb 25, 2008 1:57:11 GMT -5
Im going for sure!! Cant wait to finnally meet all you guys, but just a quick question like Charley November wrote, I also have a 1st ID infantry complete Setup. Would it be ok if I used that? And also I know its probobly not ok, but I have an asahi M60, and its the only gun I have, would it be ok if I used that? or should I just rent a gun there. Also I was reading the original post, and it said something about Blank Firing, would it be ok for me to bring my Garand and shoot off blank either or rather than an airsoft? Its got a blank adaptor and everything, so if anyone can help me, and sorry if this has been mentioned in any recent posts. Gosh I cant wait for this!!
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Post by migmadmavis on Feb 25, 2008 1:59:26 GMT -5
Also Alban if youre going that'd be sweet, then id be able to see my Thompson again!! ;D ;D And does the cost pay for the bbs and food?
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Feb 25, 2008 21:33:40 GMT -5
im speaking for myself, I don't care about the safty of my jump, I want it to be as real as possible. If I brake a leg on the jump or any time during the game, i'm gonna be a trooper and kill the krauts!!
anyone who lives in cali or orgeon read my JTD post, We're driving all the way up, so if you need a lift, hit me up!!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 25, 2008 23:03:12 GMT -5
Upthepunx, You may not care if you break your leg but we definitely do. Migmadavis Your blank firing Garand would be fine if that's want you want to use but I for one would rather throw quarters at the opposition so they'll know they're hit then spend 40 a round making noise. (Your call) It's great for atmoshere. Save the M60 for Vietnam events where it is more then welcome. I will have loaner guns available for those not equipped. At historical airsoft events the amount of BBs fired by other then the sqaud automatic weapons men and MG gunners is relatively small. You will have to bring or buy your own BBs. We ask that the squad members chip in some of their ammo in support of the MG gunner with their element to help defray their costs. The venue prefers bio degradable. At this point he has NOT made it a requirement but that could change.
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Post by hellmutt on Feb 27, 2008 15:08:27 GMT -5
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 28, 2008 0:50:01 GMT -5
What are the official units to sign up for? Heer? FJ? Airborne and Glider Infantry? I'm sure that's spelled out in registration but folks might want clarity before going to the site. This is going to be such a cool event. I've heard from folks from New England, the S. Eastern US, California and the midwest who are flying out and some folks driving up from California and Arizona. It's going to be great to be able to put faces together with names.
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Post by migmadmavis on Feb 28, 2008 1:03:20 GMT -5
Im registering, but first, Im so sorry if this has been answered before, but can I dress up in my 1st infantry setup?
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Feb 29, 2008 16:23:39 GMT -5
What are the official units to sign up for? Heer? FJ? Airborne and Glider Infantry? I'm sure that's spelled out in registration but folks might want clarity before going to the site. This is going to be such a cool event. I've heard from folks from New England, the S. Eastern US, California and the midwest who are flying out and some folks driving up from California and Arizona. It's going to be great to be able to put faces together with names. CALI REPRESENT!! YOU FOLKS BETTER HAVE A RED CARPET LAID OUT ON THAT DIRT WHEN OUR CALI CREW ARRIVES!! *kidding*
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Post by jugendkrieger on Feb 29, 2008 20:05:26 GMT -5
whats the closest airport?
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Post by binarypunisher on Feb 29, 2008 21:11:45 GMT -5
You can bring your 1st Infantry set up, but understand you will be glider infantry. Cover up the 1st Infantry patch with a gas brassard if you can.
Sea-Tac is the closest airport, we might be able to arrange transportation to and from.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 4, 2008 17:01:17 GMT -5
Portland Int'l is actually probably a better airport if you're going to rent a car as the distance is about equal but the traffic coming north is far less congested then I-5 going South. If you're not from the area and haven't been before you'll no doubt have a great chance to see Mt St Helens and Mt Rainer. The venue is about equal distance between the two.
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Mar 4, 2008 23:46:40 GMT -5
For us katz driving up there, does anyone here know the address so I can mapquest it or use the gps system, I didn't see it on the registration page.. -Eddie
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Post by Jager.Drü on Mar 5, 2008 1:22:48 GMT -5
I think I would rather land in Sea-Tac as Portland traffic to me is way worse.
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Post by binarypunisher on Mar 5, 2008 2:14:28 GMT -5
Not sure of exact address...but its in Randle, WA.
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Mar 5, 2008 11:24:42 GMT -5
is randle washington any bigger than 500 acres...??
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Post by binarypunisher on Mar 5, 2008 12:59:58 GMT -5
upthepunx, I apologize profusely that I dont have the right address at this time. Remember though, the event is still 3 months off The field is actually very easy to find...I know people who have found it in the dark their first time and have had no problems. Randle is a tiny town...but the field itself is actually very big. Its used by the SCA a lot actually.
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Mar 5, 2008 13:53:44 GMT -5
cool, just let me know whoever gets the directions first please post them cuz I got a car full of people comin' up with me (migmadmavis is one of them and maybe collision) so just as long as I know where i'm going at least a few days before the event, that would be great..
Shmitty: should I bring my boxing gear when I come up, p51 *hint* lol!!
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Post by rangerwarren on Mar 5, 2008 17:45:22 GMT -5
FAQ thread can be found here on battlesim website: www.battlesim.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=213&t=9208ALCON, Here is the FAQ for JTD. Consider this a work in progress. If your questions are not addressed in this FAQ please post them in this thread and I will update the FAQ to deal with that issue. If you have a question about how many tampons you should bring or who is going to tuck you in a night please feel to pm me about it so as not to embarrass yourself. Looking forward to seeing you all at this great event! RLTW Josh Warren Battlesim Event Director Jump To Destiny FAQ Q. What units will be playable for the American side? A. Paratroopers and Glider infantry 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions. British paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Div . are also authorized. Q. What units will be playable for the German side? A. 6 FJ Reg., 12th SS and the following 352nd Inf Div. Q. What about American infantry? A. This event is called "jump to destiny" not "run up the beach to destiny". As event producers we feel we can do either a good beach landing or a good airborne drop. The Normandy beach landings have been done many times in video games, movies, airsoft events and reenactments. You are welcome to wear your U.S. Infantry impression to the event and serve as glider infantry we just ask that you have 82nd or 101st patches. If that is simply not possible please cover your unit patch with a gas brassard. Q. Can I bring my blank fire weapon? A. Class III weapons are a no-go at this time however we are working with the site owner to see what is authorized and allowed by him. We have been incorporating blank fire with airsoft to build ambiance however you may wish to also bring an airsoft weapon as well so you can get the full experience. Q. Where is the event? A. This event will be held at a private outdoor facility in Randle Washington. The AO is roughly 600 acres with a river, open farmland, dense woods and some serious elevation changes. The address will be sent to registered players with the player packets well prior to the event. The site is roughly 2 hours from Portland or Seattle. Q. How will the airborne drops be simulated? A. Airborne drops will be simulated during hours of darkness through use of trucks or trailers with the interiors modified to resemble the inside of C-47 aircraft. Paratroopers will be rigged with simulated parachutes and harness as well as static lines and weapons bags. Paratroopers will receive training on authentic actions in the aircraft, PLF (parachute landing fall) and assembly techniques. The trucks will be moving as players exit and perform correct actions in the aircraft, exits and landing. We have used this technique before at events with great success. This is as close to an actual airborne assault as we can take you without actually throwing you out of an aircraft in flight. Q. Wait, there is only 1 day of game play? A. This is a three day event. There will be activities late Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. The D-Day scenario itself with last from (tentative) 0300-1700 on Sunday. Friday and Saturday will include a variety of training events, living history presentations/classes, and force on force training all to prepare players for the "great crusade" for which they are about to embark upon. This format will provide plenty of action, immersion and training as well as build unit cohesion and command and control before units take the field for what will be a hard, long and realistic day of battle. All tactical training will be provided by experienced Battlesim Observer Controllers many with real world combat arms experience. Q. Alcohol? A. Troops of the legal age (21) may consume alcohol during "off duty hours".That being said ,troops engaging in reckless destructive behavior that detracts from others players safety and enjoyment of the event will be asked to leave. Q. What if I don't have a period uniform? A. Battlesim or 2nd Bat (of Hooah Airsoft) can rent you an appropriate impression with cost varying by the level of impression you want to rent. (Typically $40.00 for a complete impression including web gear, minus footgear and underwear. If you choose to rent a uniform please contact us as early as possible. As we draw closer to the event it becomes increasingly hard to procure rental uniforms in the correct sizes in a timely manner. Q. What if I don't have a period weapon? Are there any alternatives? A. Again Battlesim or our associates (Hooah Airsoft) can rent weapons however this supply is limited so please contact us early. Some inauthentic weapons will be allowed but on a limited basis. M-14s and AK-47s with wood furniture will be allowed provided all modern accessories and rail systems have been removed. This will be on a limited basis and with the cost of WWII era weapons being lower than ever before please seek out a correct weapon provide your finances can handle it. Check the battlesim store website for a variety of WW2 weapons in the under $200 price range. Q. What is provided at the event? A. Player packets will outline event amenities in greater detail. At this time authentic rations will be provided for every player. These were provided at our long winter (Ardennes) event and a great majority of players ate exclusively these issued rations. Those with discerning palettes or large appetites may wish to bring their own food to supplement the rations. We are considering having a hot meal available for purchase (at minimal > $6) cost for dinners however this is not yet set in stone. Military tentage will be provided for billets as well as latrines and water. Axis and Allied troops will be camped in separate locations and the only contact they will have with one another will be during combat. Q. What should I bring to the event? A. A great attitude and a passion for historical military simulation are the two most important things you as a player will bring to this event. A suggested packing list will be in the player packet. Modern camping equipment is authorized but only for use inside your tent. The camp area will be as authentic as possible. Come with a persona in mind and arrive and remain in character for the duration of the event.
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Post by CharleyNovember on Mar 5, 2008 20:58:18 GMT -5
Can I pay extra to get you to read me a bedtime story uncle warren? Would it be a scarey story? sorry...
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Post by rangerwarren on Mar 5, 2008 22:01:34 GMT -5
alibi fire:
Q:Can I pay extra to get you to read me a bedtime story uncle warren?
A: Yes Warren will tell Ranger stories payment will be in the form of: Beer, Whiskey or Women.
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Post by p51 on Mar 5, 2008 22:09:49 GMT -5
alibi fire: Q:Can I pay extra to get you to read me a bedtime story uncle warren? A: Yes Warren will tell Ranger stories payment will be in the form of: Beer, Whiskey or Women. Tsk Tsk, you'll give some of these young pups nightmares!
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Post by CharleyNovember on Mar 6, 2008 16:16:08 GMT -5
young pup....been awhile since anyone called me that...thanks
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Mar 7, 2008 0:48:13 GMT -5
When I go to this event Im going to hold a sign that has my forum name on it (upthepunx) just like at an airport so you folks will know who I am
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