AAR DAY EVOLUTION (22 NOV 08) by REAL

Here is a quick AAR from one of the operatives (Real):

"Today was a 6 hour military simulation (laser skirmish), set in Afghanistan. With the heat, we had today - it just added to the realism.

It was my 4th deployment, but my first day mission and it was one of the most physically demanding things I've done in my life - and I loved every minute of it.

For those of you that don't know MilSims is a Military Simulation using 'laser' skirmish equipment (actually uses I.R. beams, and not actual lasers). Unlike paintball, the weapons have a maximum range of 150 - 200m and, unlike paintball, you don't have to put up with 'Wipers' because, when you get killed, your weapon becomes inactive. Also, unlike Paintball - I was able to play for 6 hours and it only cost me $35.

As part of Engage team (about a 10 man squad (Ed - 13 men)), our deployment started with meeting up with Danger team, before moving into position and assaulting a compound inhabited by 'Taliban', and interrogating an Afghan farmer - a Civilian - for intel. Upon clearing the compound, Engage and Danger were split once more to assault two separate locations where (thanks to the farmer's intel) there were reports of Taliban weapons cashes.

After a brief encounter with the enemy, Engage team moved off to assault the water tower at the top of a (Fucking big) hill. Engage were split with myself (Signals Officer), my C.O. and 3 scouts (one an ex army sniper) heading through fairly dense bush, to flank any defensive position that may be there. The remainder of the team moved along a fire-break and joined us in assaulting the water tower. We took some casualties - some thanks to a remotely operated IED - but called in a CasEvac (getting permission to switch on any dead players). Unfortunately the enemy, in their counter attack managed to over-run our position.

We were Resupped (Resupplied) at the hill and came under heavy fire as the enemy were still in the area. However, this time, we were able to counter, reducing their numbers to ones and twos, and were able to destroy (shoot and disable) their medic teams. While under fire we were contacted by Engage Actual (HQ) and ordered to move back down the hill to another position where 'civilian contractors' were under fire - and there were reports of casualties. My C.O. flat-out refused to evacuate our current location while under fire and we were later treated to screams and cries of help from the civilian contractor (who we knew personally) over the radio.

With the objective finally cleared, we moved back toward our Infiltration Point, whereby our 2IC (Ex army) was heading back as his hip was giving him serious grief.

While falling back we came under fire from behind as the enemy had recovered and were moving down to get some payback. At the bottom of the hill we exchanged fire, and managed to take down the majority of their force. As we moved up toward a friendly operations base, brief contact was again made from the civilian contractor, and, while under fire from behind, our 2ic and myself rushed forward to perform an extraction. We were joined by three more of Engage, before I was killed.

Engage managed to rescue the contractor and we made it back to base pretty much intact.

However, we were all sitting around talking about the last 6 hours we'd all been through when we noticed the Engage 2IC was in a very bad way. Before long he was passed out. A number of First Aid guys attended to him and tried to cool him with some 'room temperature' tap water. He then went into a seizure. By this time an ambulance had already been called. After recovering from his fit, he then stood up and began vomiting water, before storming off, despite the efforts of his team-mates and friends. He was moved into the shade, and I opted to walk to the end of the track and wait for the Ambulance - should they need flagging down. The medics didn't stay too long - I guess he'd recovered somewhat, but refused attention.

When I last saw him, he was looking like shit - totally exhausted, but upright and walking around.

Bare in mind that last weekend I 'popped' my knee - a minor dislocation with ligament damage - and was only today able to walk somewhat normally. There were a couple of times today when I seriously thought I was NOT going to make it, but for some stupid reason, I pushed on all the same.

Guys, If you get a chance to play MilSims - do it. It's like Battlefield 2 - only 100% more realistic because you're the one carrying the gun, and the water, and getting your feet wet in streams..."


Thanks for the great report Real!