Operation Frigid Strike commenced on February 17th at the N.E.O.D.F. Range despite the winter weather conditions (this is training, right?) Several members and guests assembled in the command tent where 2LT. Wolfgang was stoking up a fire (after a few minutes the tent became so hot that we had to open some of the windows). The weather was around 19 degrees and there was a good 3 to 6 inches of snow and ice on the ground. In retrospect, this training might have been more aptly dubbed "Operation Snowshoe" - everyone who attended got a killer workout; since travel in the snow required something of a high stepping march.

The days activities began at 0900 with a primer on winter operations; members would have to be sure that they conducted frequent health checks to make sure that everyone was maintaining adequately. This health check consisted of making sure the other was alert / observant / functioning. In cold weather its important to make sure that no one slips into hypothermia or exhaustion. We started the training with the two-miler and then hit the range to conduct cold weather shooting drills. The targets were white on white and at times were very hard to see. This training consisted of engaging plates at different ranges and while wearing heavy cold gear it wasn't easy to hold on target. Overall, the shooters did OK - not great, not bad though. We also field tested some new 26.5mm green star flares and smoke grenades.

After lunch, the 2nd phase of training consisted of a lecture and Q&A session hosted by SPC. Sherry, LPN. We went over the different types of cold weather injuries (hypothermia, frostbite, trenchfoot, snow blindness, etc.) and how to prevent and treat them. Very informative and very necessary for operating in this type of environment. After this the unit geared up to go back out and practice patrolling while the night shoot was being set-up.

While patrolling, topics covered included how the partol is set up, who the major players are (point, slack, drag, flank, tail, main company), and how to use cover and concealment to our advantage. Also, the team worked the box technique several times to cross a linear danger area (open roads / trails). While initially easy to understand it takes a few times to do it right. The big downside to winter operations is that when planning any type of operation you should immediately cut all of your foot travel times in half. Moving on anything but paved roads is hard work, there is limited cover, sounds travel further than normal and people tire out quicker than they normally would. Futhermore, troops expend more water and food than they would otherwise do so in regular climates. One other element of winter training that is often not considered is the vehicle angle. Despite the number of 4WD vehicles - we still had to push a few of the smaller cars out of ice divots and snow banks. After a few times of extricating 2WD vehicles we became very proficient at this. Which, I am sure that the lovely couple that went down the training area's unplowed lane to frolic were especially glad that we would help push their car out for them (though I bet they weren't expecting to be found by an armed patrol!).

The capstone of the training was a night time ambush exercise that was set up on the ridgeline. The team patrolled to the area and deployed on-line. Then, using rocket illumination flares, they lit up the night and engaged an "enemy camp" where target silhouettes were set up (easier said than done). After this event we returned to base camp for the cold weather exercise. a few intepid members braved the cold by laying out their sleeping bags on pads / ranger rolls. Others stayed in the tent. Morning came and a few members who spent the night at home returned to continue with a two man tactical shoot through the "enemy camp". At around 1200 hours we cleaned up and headed home. While this was one of the toughest FTX's I have been on, it was also the most memorable. We didn't get to do everything that we planned for, but it was a great learning tool for next year's Winter FTX. Nonetheless, everyone learned

What was probably the coldest day of this year's winter was also the 3rd Battalion's scheduled training day. Fortunately, we were indoors at the Wayne Township Community Hall where the unit conducted its technical classroom training. There were also several new members in attendance. After dues were paid and general announcements were made the training got underway. The following classes and discussions were given over the course of the training session :

	O.D.F. Regulations; O.D.F. Mission, composition, rank structure, uniforms, customs and courtesies, flag etiquette, - SSgt. Diana Eckhart
	CPR training and AED training - SGT. Vandersall
	Small Unit Tactics and basic movement - CPT. Eckhart
	Use of Force Principles; Elements of defense, legal expectations, requirements for deadly force, safe carry and conveyance of weapons. - 2LT. Wolfgang
	Weapon Familiarization and Range Safety; Nomenclature and field stripping of the Mosin Nagant, Mauser, AR15, AK47, SKS, and FN/FAL. - 2LT. Wolfgang
	Tactical rigs; Load bearing vest and ALICE gear, pack loads, individual gear requirements, equipment items, optional items, and survival gear. - LT. Bruce Eckhart
	The psychology of disasters - victim and rescuer reactions to disaster situations - CPL. Schweitzer

Year end dinner was held at Bad Frog's Bar & Grille. There were door prizes, a buffet dinner of Stuffed Breast of Chicken or Baked Steak w/ Gravy; mashed potatoes & vegetable, with cake and a cookie tray for dessert. After dinner there was a gift exchange. A good time and good food was had by all.

Theoretically, the last official training of year 2006 began as a full house with many familiar faces, as well as new members, and old members not seen for awhile. We were also fortunate to have on-hand a guest contingent from the Unorganized Militia of Champaign County (from way down by S.W.O.D.F.). Furthermore, the weather was dry as the monsoon rains had abated - some would even say that the day felt warm.

The days training commenced around 1030 hours with the initial warm-up hike and then on the way back the teams were directed to an Observation and Live Fire exercise set up on the lower range. The teams got on line with "soldier cutouts" posted on the 100 yard frame and then had to use scopes and field glasses to determine the size, activity, location, uniform, time, and equipment of the enemy targets. This information was then relayed back to "base" via a SALUTE Report. Once the reports were in, the teams were given the go ahead to engage the targets. After a brief, but violent cacophony of gunfire, weapons were put on safe and the targets were surveyed for damage. The next order of business was to replace the targets with the proverbial "snowman targets" - for the 3 plate / 3 position shooting exercise.

Following lower range activities, members and guests grabbed a quick bite to eat while they switched from live ammo to blanks and then assembled at the Command Tent for a brief overview of compass and map basics put on by CPL. Schweitzer (thank you!). The teams were then divided up again and participants were briefed on how the orienteering-code course would function. Teams would start by opening a coordinate canister that contained an azimuth and a yard distance which would lead them to a code canister whereby they had to decipher a code (insturctions were provided). Codes included basic substitution ciphers, acrostics, and encryption algorithms. The code would provide a clue to a landmark on the property. Teams would maneuver to this lankmark and then find another coordinate canister which led to a code canister (and the process would repeat several times). If this wasn't interesting, the idea that there were two OPFOR elements also working in the area provided for more stimulus. After some confusion and a few firefights, the days events closed out with an AAR done by both units.

The Fall Field Training Exercise and Super Squad Competition took place at the Ellis Dam Training Facility on the third weekend of October. Despite the cold weather (hint: get your Poly-Pros for winter!) the training went fairly well. The overall training was on coordinating teams, tactically and strategically, to link up during a disaster scenario. Especially, when a known OPFOR was working in the immediate area. Some of the specifics of this training included a forward peel to counter a linear danger area and platoon security while in a larger position. The capstone of the training was a nighttime move-to-contact exercise. During which we had opportunity to use our new infrared heat seekers and an AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Monocular (WOW!).

The Super Squad Competition this year was similar to last year except that it was a lot stricter and units were expected to actually know what they were doing in the different stages. Scored stages included; Swiss rappel seat, hand signals, parade formations, field phones, principles of force, AR-15 / AK-47 field strip relay, and the biathlon. Despite having the best biathlon score, we were bested by SGT. Cultrona's (1st BN) fire team.

CONGRATULATIONS 1st Battalion!

On 18 September 2006, N.E.O.D.F. training began at 1000 hours. The days training began with a warm up road march on the perimeter of the training facility. To be an effectively mobile light infantry unit we need to move with full patrol gear and equipment at around 20 minutes a mile. We were able to keep this record with coming in around 45 minutes for 2 miles. Though we were slightly bogged down by helping a neighbor retrieve their dog. It never hurts to help someone in need - after all that's what our unit exists for.

Nonetheless, after the hike we moved to the rifle range to work on our tactical shooting at close range and intermediate ranges. Practicing marksmanship drills that start on the move and go to prone, kneeling, and standing helps to develop reflexive shooting skills. No scores were taken but unit members were able to gauage their own ability at hitting paper plates at varied distances. There were a few people who had trouble with their guns and aftermarket parts. This is the time to get out and try out your equipment before TSHTF and you need it.

The 3rd training phase focused on developing hand to hand skills that were learned at the previous August training. Members worked on instinctual defensive skills in combination against an attacker with a knife and an empty hand. While things got mixed up and at times it was hard to tell who the attacker was and who wasn't - it was a good training op. This is something we will practice more in the future.

After lunch, we began our next training phase which covered patrol tactics Vs. a hidden sniper. LT. Wolfgang, having considerable knowledge of the training grounds, was given the role of the sniper who would go out and try to shoot patrol elements. The sniper was given the benefit of the doubt that whatever he shot was a given kill. The patrol would then have to react to his fire and search & destroy. The hardest part of the whole maneuver was that the sniper would only fire if he had a clear shot therefore there were long lulls where the partol would be looking for the sniper with no avail. Some lessons learned from this training were :

	Move from cover to cover with you next location already in mind.
	The sniper always has the advantage
	Scan the trees as well as the ground. The sniper was once located in a tree. In an urban scenario this is much more plausible.
	Snipers that don't relocate are asking for trouble.

All in all the days events went well. The unit was dismissed at 1700 and the range was open for informal shooting.

On August 19th, elements of 3rd and 1st battalions (Scout Operations Unit) were covertly inserted into a remote area of Columbiana County to conduct search and surveillance on an unknown group of criminals dubbed "Raiders" operating within the area. Their primary reponsibilities were to gather intelligence that would assist Command in the development of a larger action at a later time. After they had conducted their reconnaissance they would exfiltrate the area and be picked up at rendezvous point. As quick as the weather changed, so did the parameters of the mission; Command staff became aware that there were pre-staged drop point that locals were using to send coded communiques to the "raider element".

Based on this new information Command became very desirous of what was in those neatly camouflaged canisters and thus it became necessary for the Scout Operations Unit to retrieve these message canisters at all costs. Unfortunately for the Scouts, the Raiders were very aware of the presence of an "official unit" operating in their A.O. They reacted quickly by retrieving their 1st coded message canister, transmitting the message to their six, and setting up an aggressive counter-ambush for the Scouts.

After the battle, moderators sorted out casualties from the counter-ambush. Command then called in to the Scout Team to retrieve a 2nd canister at the far end of the training area. The Scouts would have to E&E all the way around the "Raider AO" and ascend through the soybean fields, which provided awesome concealment, to capture this second objective. When they secured this canister Command advised the Scout Team make this rendezvous and return to Base Camp. As luck would have it the Raiders who had been monitoring all frequencies, moved to intercept the Scouts. This prompted the Scout Team Leader to call for a hasty retreat and for his personnel to move on foot back to Base Camp in the foggy night.

After all participants were accounted for at the Base Camp they were entreated to a catered meal of rigatoni and hot coffee while they were debriefed on the scenario events. Many parties agreed that the scenario was well developed and provided a realistic training opportunity. The Command / Base Camp Staff was also ran by the support and instruction in running an Opporations Center. Everyone who was involved in the scenario gave their 100% effort to make this training op run smoothly, despite the soggy, humid weather. Thank You.

Prior to Operation Rain Dance, the N.E.O.D.F.'s 2nd Annual Open Training commenced at 1000 hours. This year's training included several members from S.O.D.F. and N.E.O.D.F., as well as Guest Instructor, Tom Brooks from the Kentucky State Militia. Immediately following Formation personnel were divided up into 3 groups that would run through the following training stages:

Stage 1 was an hour and a half Hand-to-Hand course taught by Mr. & Mrs. Brooks. This class included a lecture and hands-on training of striking, counter strinking, blocks, and parries. Mr. Brooks reviewed H2H fundamentals such as stance and movement and then allowed students to free flow through the techniques until they developed the beginning of muscle memory. Once students felt comfortable with the open handed techniques they transitioned to knives and fighting drills. All students who participated received a certificate of completetion.

The 2nd stage was a CQB / Tactical Carbine course of fire on the Lower Range. This course enhanced raw skills that were taught at the Spring FTX by allowing personnel to use them in a live fire course. Specifically the course focused on moving forward, backwards, and laterally while engaging multiple silhouettes. Using geometric angles to see the target (before the target saw you) and engaging multiple targets at varying distances. On Sunday the course was run with pistols. Sergeants Flory and Vandersall were the RSOs.

The 3rd training stage was on the Upper Range. Personnel were given the opportunity to practice their long range shooting at 500+ yard targets. Lieutenants Eckhart and Wolfgang acted as spotters by marking the targets with bright red stickers that were easily seen through binoculars at the other end. SGT. Waugh was the RSO on the shooting platform. This exercise was ran earlier in the year with poor shooting scores. This time around the scores picked up and personnel showed a marked improvement.

Sunday Training consisted of a H2H course for the Range Officers who were not able to attend the 1st. day. As well as a Mystery Wound Theatre taught by SPC. Sherry, LPN. The Lower Range was also open for informal shooting. While several invitations went out for this year's training, only a few new faces were seen. N.E.O.D.F. had 2 new interested persons who were very excited after the end of training and requested applications. We looked forward to seeing them in the future. Special thanks go out to everyone who made this year's Open Training a reality through your hard work and dedication.

For a week that had been otherwise rain, rain, rain - it was a nice sunny day - though a bit more humid than most of us would have wanted. Nonetheless, N.E.O.D.F. Members arrived for training at the customary time and formation began at 1015 with a general briefing of the day's intended training. At 1030 2nd LT. Wolfgang led the unit on a 2 mile road march. Our goal was to complete this march in no more than 40 minutes. While this seems like a tall order, it's actually a pretty easy standard (Pro Hikers state that the average person should be able to set a pace of 1 mile in 15 minutes).

Immediately following the hike, the fire teams moved down to the 75 yard line on the range and each member engaged a paper plate with 10 rounds while prone. They then moved up the to the 50 yard line and engaged another plate while kneeling. Then they moved up to the 25 yard line and engaged a 3rd plate while on the move. The scores were interesting to say the least. Overall this was a decent shooting exercise and after training was finished for the day several people went back to the range to re-shoot this drill.

Following this exercise, a break was called for people to re-hydrate and load up with blanks and BFAs. During the break session hand signals and squad movements were covered. After this, the teams moved out to practice ambush reaction doctrine (or "what do you do when someone shoots at you and you didn't see them?"). Techniques covered were Assaulting Through and Australian Peel. In retrospect, a lot of members found out that the best response was not to be a "good victim". When moving through areas it was better to spread out as much as possible and avoid being in a line as a unit. Staying low and staying alert also hindered an ambushing force from springing an offensive. Each fire team was given 2 go-arounds at ambushing and being ambushed.

The days training finished with a briefing session on booby-traps & awareness taught by LT. Eckhart. Thanks go out to 1st SGT. Flory, for kindly providing cold Gatorade & ice during this class. Members were then dismissed at 1700 hours, and the range was reopened for informal shooting.

Despite the small turnout for the Spring FTX the training schedule was packed with an extensive list of programs and exercises. The weekend activities began Friday afternoon as a few intrepid members of the 3rd battalion arrived early to set up tents and the training hall. For the remainder of the night security watches were set and a slow trickle of members began arriving at different hours. By 1100 hours Saturday, the majority of the personnel were on site. Formation and Flag raising was at 1200. Immediately afterward training began with the following 3 stage exercises.

	Lt. Wilson conducted the 1st stage, Basic NRA pistol and instruction course. The sequence of fire included firing at 25 yd. target; strong hand unsupported, strong hand supported, weak hand unsupported and then under stress by engaging targets in timed intervals. Members less familiar with the pistol received a thorough regimen in handgun shooting.
	SGT. Waugh conducted the 2nd stage; Combat rifle / pistol "jungle walk". The course began with shooting a coffee can at 110 yards and then moving down the range engaging targets to the left and right of the shooter. At this point the shooter would move to the next area where they had to pickup an unknown weapon and engage 3 stationary targets. The weapon had a cycling problem, so it had to be manually re-cocked after each shot. Easier said than done.
	CPL. Mash taught the 3rd stage; a course in CQB and room clearing. This course covered basic techniques of clearing a room, using distance and geometry to see the "bad guy", movement forward and backwards, covered areas, and clearing strategies. After the training, members were tested in a kill-house scenario unsing Airsoft guns. Everyone agreed this was an element of training that was very worthwhile.

These exercises terminated around 1700 hours and members were dismissed to the chow hall. Immediately afterwards an Operations Order was called and 1st and 3rd Battalions were assembled into 2 elements to search for and destroy enemy forces (HQ staff) in the eastern training quadrant. The S&D strategy was to use each battalion in a long L pattern to sweep the area. 1st BN was the base and moved towards the quadrant while 3rd BN spread out on the road and entered into the quadrant from different positions. Enemy scouts were eliminated and the main force was found occupying a bunker area. They were also eliminated.

The night training then started at 2130 it was a two stage kill house scenario. The 1st exercise was run by CPL. Mash who supplied Airsoft weapons to participants. This was a team function whereby a 4 man breaching team would kick in a door, move into a room, use flashbangs, and eliminate an unknown number of terrorists without injuring a hostage. The 2nd kill house was a live fire room clearing exercise conducted by LT. Wilson. This was done individually and participants used a handgun and a flashlight to spot and shoot targets. At 2400 hours personnel were debriefed on the days training, treated to SGT. Major White's famous chilli, and then dismissed to their bunks and night watches. Breakfast and reveille were at 0700. Formation followed at 0800. The remainder of the days activities included a rappelling and knot tying exercise conducted by LT. COL. Long, and an informative lecture on Battlefield First Aid taught by SPC. Sherry.

The weather was warm, the sun was shining, and the rain had abated. Futhermore, everything was in blossom and it was good to get out and get some training without having to wear layers of clothing and winter boots. Formation began at 1000 hours and the days events were quickly outlined for the days training.

The first exercise was to be a CQB (Close Quarters Battle) / Run and Gun course of fire. The shooter was permitted to use whatever weapon they wanted with unlimited ammuntion and unlimited number of magazines (the only requirement was no more than 10 rounds per magazine). The shooter would start with a quick jog to get the heart rate up and then would lock and load, and move from points of cover while engaging multiple paper targets. Once they reached the bridge they had to engage a target on the move and shoot a bowling pin before crossing. On the other side the shooter would then low crawl to a place of cover and cross the next creek (however they wanted). On the other side they had to engage 6 pins, alternating from left and right. The course of fire showed us alot about how our gear worked..or how it didn't. Some people found that they're gun gadgets were just fancy toys; others learned that their gear didn't fit well when low crawling; others found that they needed to work on their cardio (like myself).

The next course of fire was hill to hill shooting. You never know when you'll get in a long range shooting match, so 3BN NCOs had set up targets on the hill above the range and the teams set up on the hill next to the abandoned diesel shovel. Estimated range was somewhere between 500 - 550 yards. Different rifles were tried and it was found that the heavier grain loads were much better suited for the task as they didn't drift in the 20mph winds. One of the more exotic firing positions was done by specialists Sherry and Schweitzer using buddy rest. One shooter would shoot kneeling while the other person would shoot while resting their rifle on the kneeling shooter's shoulder. It also helped to cover your eyes and ears when the person fired (especially with 7.62x54r & 7.5mm ammo). This proved to be the most effective firing system.

The last exercise was a combined search and destroy mission where teams had to manuever towards a fixed postion to take out a crew-served weapon. Never mind that this crew-served weapon was also protected by a crew and had several stingers put out to shoot at us as we manuevered towards it. All in all this was an excellent primer for us to practice patrolling, camouflage, communication, and small unit tactics to get prepared for FTX. The days training concluded at 1800 hours, though a few members hung around to do some informal shooting. Next month is our FTX and we're expecting some excellent training. So plan to be there!

The N.E.O.D.F. Range Qualifications were held this year at the N.E.O.D.F.'s range. Thanks to several members hard work, new range improvements include; extra target holders and an outhouse. 2006 qualifications were held over the entire weekend allowing members to shoot either on Saturday or Sunday, or both days. Of the majority of the 14 members this year that shot the Rifle Qualification Course, most qualified on Saturday. Of the overall scores, 3rd Battalion's overall average score was 193, over half of the scores were above 201. The battalion had 3 members qualify as Expert (220 - 250) - SPC.4 Matthew Sherry took Top Gun with 240 points. Six members qualified as Sharpshooter (190 - 219) - with their average score being 205. Three members qualified as Marksmen (160 - 189) - their average score was 177. Only 2 members were unqualified and they were both 1st year/new members. Taken as a whole, the battalion did well.