2nd Alabama Militia, Co. A

The Tidewater Guards gathered on Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 to practice their team movements and tactics. By using Paintball markers and standard level 2 gear, the squad spent the day patrolling 10 kilometers in the dense woods of Connecuh Nation Forrest, as well as simulating squad attack on bunkers, reacting to ambush, and setting up ambush. Six members and two guests were in attendance. All had a fun and productive time. Next FTX is scheduled for April 26th, 2008.

On June 16th, 2007, the Tango Golf's met up in Seminole, AL for the summer training exercise. Four members were in attendance, allowing for the opportunity to practice buddy team bounding, short distance patrolling (3 kilometers), and orienteering. The team also practiced escape and evasion with paintball markers. Weapons qualification and physical training were conducted that evening before departure.

On Saturday, October 14th, 4 members of the Tidewater Guard showed up at the Baldwin County ECD to train in basic first aid, marksmanship, and map reading. All members successfully completed their necessary training to receive their American Heart Association First Aid, CPR and AED certification. After this 4 hour classroom instruction, the TG's were anxious to try their hands at weapons qualification at the Styx River Shooting Center. Instruction on proper map reading technique was also enjoyed towards the day's end.

MISSION OBJECTIVE: Scout AO Chigger; find possible rally points; develop observation post.



WEAPONS: Red Tide: SMLE no.4. ~ Foggy Bottom: SKS. ~ Sleepy Ted: SMLE no. 4.



Point: Red Tide (Team Leader)



Slack: Foggy Bottom



TEC: Sleepy Ted



MISSION: Inserted team at designated point. Circled the Perimeter of the AO, and located two remote residences. No contact was made, and it is not yet know if either is occupied. Proceeded to the first possible rally point, and found that it would suit our purposes. Made way to next point, and discovered that it was being used as camp site for hikers and the like. Located an alternate rally point near a small spring. Headed off for the final leg of the mission; to find a good position, and set up a listening/observation post. Position found on the far side of the AO. The position was developed, and could possibly be used as a temporary CP/ radio position for larger exercises planned in the future. Extracted at designated point just before dusk.



POINTS OF INTEREST NOTED: Discovered two possible residences. Mapped two rally points. Discovered that campers occupied the preferred rally point. Listening post developed.



TOTAL KLICKS SCOUTED: 8 Klicks



PROBLEMS: Happened upon some campers, but we were not detected.



DETERMINATION: Our gear still needs to have a few kinks worked out. This was the first time our team had actually practiced the mini-saw concept in the field. It works perfectly for this sort of mission. The two SMLEs provided good support for the SKS, and offered the opportunity for small-scale ammo swap. Evasion needs to be practiced more.



ESCAPE AND EVASION: A small entourage of campers and such were spotted before our position was compromised.