17 Jan 09

Operation Eagle Eye January 17, 2009

Orders were sent out five days before the training so that everyone would know what to expect. We received some very positive feedback on the orders. Come Sat morning at 0650 the alert tree was activated for a practice drill muster.

It was looking like a great day for training, temperature around 20 F and later it would warm-up to a balmy 45F or so. At a few minutes past 0900 we had our formation and then had our normal Prayer and Intel briefing. We discussed the worsening economic mess that is coming down and a few other items were covered. Breaking down into a HQ element, (to secure our vehicles) and a squad to conduct the infiltration and then the OP. We went over items to be carried, and the jobs to be covered, along with final signals and recognition codes. An equipment check was efficiently and quickly carried out and final preps done.

The Squad was lead out to the edge of our secure lines, told where the two forward standing patrols were located and given a direction between them, and off they went. The guide then returned to the HQ and with the other members present got it ready so the OP team would have something different to observe.

When the OP team got into position and called HQ we then started our role-playing. Setting up a tent, the communications center strung out wire for a field phone. Guards leaving camp and switching out a hidden outpost.

Later when the exercise was completed, the OP was told to stand and show their position. We then had a hard time seeing them as they had picked a very good and concealed position back in the trees approx 150 to 200 meters away.
All in all a very good training day and a lot was learned, and quality practice accomplished. The following is from one of the squad members whom were on the OP team side:

When we released the guide, our first objective was to move about 75 yds. down a grassy slope to get into the woods. As soon as we got in the woods our tail man called a halt and alerted us to movement behind us. Turns out a bunch of Cub scouts were passing through the field we had crossed. We hunkered down and let them pass by then got moving.

We moved out slow and steady with a 15 to 20 meter space between members and as quietly as possible. We were all carrying our rucksacks as well as our web gear so it was a little slower going than usual. We made it to the OP base without any problems and set out security. After a recon by the LT and the SGT the location for the OP was decided. We were broke into 3 -2 man teams with each team spending 30 minutes on the OP. My teammate and I were up first so we dropped our rucks and slipped forward from our position.

When all teams had had their turn we radioed in that we were done and were instructed to stand up to reveal our location. The HQ element was surprised, as they had no idea where we. After a quick debrief we packed up our gear and said our good-byes. It was a great day. We learned a lot and had a lot of fun doing it.