For some of us, this was our first major OP.  At the special request of the game hosts, to balance out the skill levels on each side, we were requested to play US Special Forces instead of the Terrorist Forces with the rest of the Colorado regulars. Historically, the Terrorists bulldozered the US Forces without much difficulty.  This year was slightly different but they still won a decisive victory.  Admittedly, it was very frustrating being so overwhelmed by the enemy but I believe that Shadow Pack, with the awesome skills of Ground Zero at our side, helped to better balance the gameplay this year.

Mission 1 (Day 1) was all about Special Forces charging ahead to hold off the enemy while the US Rangers set up a few bases for our side.  And run we did.  And we ran... and we ran... and we ran... and we ran some more.  We fought hard and stayed well coordinated through the day, our training really paid off in such open territory this field presented.  We ran side-by-side with Ground Zero, which was a thrill of its own.  These guys are top quality players and we ran very well together.  Still, with little support by the Rangers to our rear, the ground we gained and objectives we took were quickly recovered by the Terrorists.  Our only saving grace this mission were the frequent artillery shells supporting our positions.

Mission 2 (Day 1) was where morale took a blow.  Still acting as the spearhead of each push, and still lacking support to our rear, we felt as though the battle was just Shadow Pack and Ground Zero against the Terrorist.  While not true, it did seem that way on the field.  Eventually, Ground Zero had to split from us while each of our squads had to escort US Rangers into various positions as they could not gain a foothold on the field.  Still the Terrorists continued their push, destroying our defensive formations with endless RPG hits, and crushing morale.  By mid-mission, twenty US Rangers had walked off the field and out of the game.  Game staff had to make some rule changes, surprise airstrikes and set up two deep insertion missions (one for Shadow Pack and one for Ground Zero) just to attempt to balance the gameplay, but still the Terrorists dominated.

Mission 3 (Day 1) was a night game.  We had a long break for dinner and a chance to restore our morale.  We were given the task of defending a "Rock Fortress" against the incoming Terrorists.  With grim determination, we weren't going to give the enemy an inch of ground.  We quickly set up a front-line defense with two fallback positions, but we never needed to fall back.  There was little cover for the enemy and we quickly dispatched any shadow passing our fire zone.  The Terrorists did manage to get a few units through the flanks on that another team was protecting, but our CO made quick work with over a dozen knife kills.  This mission gave us a chance to relax, hold some ground, enjoy the fireworks and destroy some enemy troops with little return fire.

Mission 4 (Day 2) was completely redesigned by game staff.  It turned into an Assault Game with the Terrorists defending several successive positions with our goal of pushing them backwards through the positions and killing them all at the final flag.  We were given most of the day to fulfill this task, but this is a game type that Shadow Pack is thoroughly trained for.  We pushed through all of their defensive lines, despite their continued use of RPG rounds, forced them into the final corner of the field and slaughtered them to the last man.  It was the only decisive victory for the US side but we accomplished this objective in less than half the time allotted for the mission.  At the end, with so much time still remaining on the schedule, the game staff allowed the Terrorists to defend one final position, the main "Rock Fortress" that we had defended the night before.  We weren't told the enemy position but had to find them first.  Together, the US Rangers and Special Forces formed an Assault Line across the field and began our search.  Easily clearing their forward scouts, we quickly found them at the Rock Fortress and began our assault.  However, at EndEx we were unable to oust them from their position... the Terrorist hold a last bit of land in the end.

Despite the losses and frustration throughout the event, the best enjoyment is having the team together camping out for a weekend-long event.  All members performed well, we had minimal equipment issues and, in the tasks assigned to us, Shadow Pack and Ground Zero performed with complete success.  Special thanks to the guys of Ground Zero, it was a special pleasure working and camping side-by-side with you.  Also, a special thanks to our "Campsite Host" and new Shadow Pack Prospect, David.  Even though he played on the terrorist team, he provided luxurious campsite accommodations and food for everyone.  Cheers!

- Dracx