MILSIM Spring 2009 Hollywood

TACTICALMAGAZINE MILSIM Spring 2009 Hollywood

TrainingShootout and Mindset versus Superior Firepower Ultimate Training Munitions The future of force- on-force training Tubular Assault Course Tactical Counter Terrorism Training on a 727 OH SH!T TRAINING Learn defensive fighting within 5 feet Storming Vegas: Reviewed The story of one man taking Vegas for millions by force

$7.50 US $10.00 CAN Tactical MilSim Magazine Spring 2010 Do Not Remove until 5/31/10 WEAPON REVIEW GHK’s AKS-74UN 1 2 6

FEATURES The “Oh Shit” Course by Mark Anderson 26 Defensive fighting inside 5 feet with Suarez International 6 Ultimate Training Munitions by Paul Pawela The future of Force-on-Force training 18 727 Tubular Assault Course by Paul Pawela Watch a Counter Terrorism Unit take down a 727 42 Hollywood Shootout by Jeff Takeda Training and Mindset versus Superior Firepower 26 Tech Corner by John Mirarchi 42 Barrel Harmonics: Simple techniques that can save you cash 40

Weapon rEVIEWS Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 by John Mirarchi Check out a few thousand rounds through a cost efficient trainer. 12 44 GHK’s AK-74UN by Gary Bosch We put this gas blowback through the gauntlet. 48 book ReVIEW 4850 Storming Vegas by Don Roff One combat-ready Cuban takes on Las Vegas and steals away millions 22

COLUMNS Sound of the Fury by COL (Ret.) Dalton Fury bin Laden: Still the target. 51 The Chronicles of Mad Max by MSG (Ret.) Mad Max Mullen Are you ready for the fight? 54

3 SIT REP ACTICAL T MAGAZINE When is being safe dangerous? MILSIM Safety is a double-edged sword play with, their lack of hard sur- in a simulated environment. With faces may adversely affect your Owner too little safety, unnecessary team's performance. The lack MSG (Ret.) “Mad Max” Mullen injuries occur. With too much, we of pain, when team members [email protected] learn bad habits that could get us impact these surfaces, may make killed in real life. players too aggressive—and less Executive Director controlled in their actions. Mark “Stone Wolf” Anderson Whether we develop simulations [email protected] for training, or for professional Using actual furniture in the Advertising mil-sim (Pro-Sim) tournaments, scenarios will keep realism high. John Mirarchi the creation of safely realistic It will allow pain to either rein- [email protected] simulations is crucial. force our skills or make us rethink them. Training simulations re- Media Production There are many ways to develop quire a certain mitigated level of Donnie T. “Cowboy” scenarios within a simulation. An risk or danger for us to develop [email protected] overcompensating focus on safe- successful skills. ty can hinder the realism of the Marketing scenarios. As well, being too safe A realistic simulation also re- Toni “Angel” Anderson may put you and your team in quires uncomfortable environ- [email protected] real- world danger. It’s important ments. This strongly affects our to find the right balance of safety ability to safely shoot, move, Sales and realism. The limitations of communicate, and sustain. We Liz Buenrostro your resources—and your simula- rely heavily on our vision. There- [email protected] tion equipment—must match your fore, it is necessary to introduce Senior Editor training environment. challenges. Don Roff [email protected] Unrealistic scenarios offer a dis- Low-light conditions, smoke, tinct potential for us to accidently flashing lights and other visual Senior Layout Editor form unsafe habits. For example, distractions are important ele- Denny Fry operating in a large area, where ments in our scenarios. To safely [email protected] visual targets are out of range of increase levels of stress—and our simulation weapons—yet well realism—consider the appropri- Associate Editors within range of their real coun- ate use of uncomfortable, loud, Rebekah J. Trout terparts—can become a major and abruptly changing sounds. Frank M. Young safety concern. This situation Pyrotechnics, radio station re- Senior Photographer destroys the illusion of realism. cordings in different languages Jeem “Krayzie” Newland It also promotes bad habits that and blank firing weapons are [email protected] may prove disastrous in the real strong choices. world. Photographer We also rely on our sense of Robert Ochoa How would we develop a safely smell in dangerous situations. [email protected] realistic scenario in this case? We Experiment with strong or un- might limit the visual acquisition usual scents to augment a safely www.TacticalMilSim.com of an enemy force to within the realistic simulation. limits of our simulated weapons. To Our Readers: Some of the products that In today's climate, an average The ultimate goals of a simulation appear in Tactical MilSim Magazine may be illegal to purchase, sell, or transport. Pro- real world force-on-force encoun- are to safely experiment, prac- spective buyers should consult local authori- ter is not going to occur within the tice and test our skills, equip- ties. The information contained in Tactical same ranges as UTM, Simmuni- ment, and abilities in realistic MilSim Magazine is based upon personal tions, airsoft, or paintball. environment. If well developed, experiences and research and may vary a scenario provides a seamless with your own personal opinions and expe- Safety is a useful subliminal integration of a safely realis- riences. Tactical MilSim Magazine is not in- teaching tool. It can help maintain tic simulation, rather than two tended to serve as a manual or procedure in any way. Tactical MilSim Magazine, its offi- realism in a simulation. An appro- contradicting terms. Such simula- cers, employees, and consultants accept no priate level of pain, for example, tions are more interesting—and responsibility, liability, injuries, or damages is a good reminder not to repeat valuable—in our quest for effec- from any attempt to rely on any information a mistake. Occasionally, we find tive training. contained in this publication. Reproduction shoot houses set up with all-foam of this magazine in whole or part is strictly simulated chairs, bookcases, and -Stone Wolf Out! forbidden. lamps. Though they are fun to

4 5 the oh class sh!t By Mark Anderson

n December 7, 1991, Officer Gabe OSuarez was getting ready to stop for dinner when he got a call to respond to a holdup at a nearby store. Weapon drawn, he rounded the corner of the building—and was met by the suspect, standing approximately five feet away, with a pistol aimed at his head.

Officer Suarez immediately exploded out of the line of fire, away from the building. He returned fire and killed the suspect. Later, he examined the wall behind him, where he first met the suspect. It contained five bullet holes— directly in line with where his head and chest would have been. Gabe Suarez learned firsthand that exploding off what is now called the “X” could save lives.

6 class

7 Welcome to the real world use to train matters less than By following Gabe's ad- of 0-to-5 feet gun fighting—or, as how effectively the equipment vice, I was able to explode of Gabe nicknames it, “The Oh Shit is used. Gabe Suarez is a tes- the “X,” by using what is called Class.” tament to this theory. His addi- a Pekiti takeoff, and avoid that This might be a tough title to tion of airsoft technology to his first shot every time. The “X” is market, but we at TacSim like it. training, in 2002, has helped him your initial standing point during develop and/or test techniques an attack. This drill showed us I had the privilege of at- while maintaining a devout Ock- that it is crucial to know when to tending his class. I finished the ham's Razor approach, which “change the picture.” course feeling as if I’d just lost shaves away any unnecessary a bar fight. The knowledge I ac- movements. quired was worth every bruise. “Try not to get What drew me to this course Gabe's use of airsoft was the fact that Gabe utilized brought me to the course. My shot,” I was told. airsoft technology to help train motivations quickly changed his students during force-on- as I faced a loaded airsoft gun, force exercises. I was curious to aimed at my head from 10 feet When an attacker has the see how effective Gabe’s strat- away. “Try not to get shot,” I was position of advantage, they take egy would be. told. a mental picture of the scene. As the target, you are part of that I have always been a firm “Easier said than done,” I picture. If you hesitate to take believer that the equipment you thought. your own mental picture, your attacker will always be one step ahead of you.

If you launch off the “X,” you can change your attacker’s mental picture. Thus, you buy yourself the time—usually a few seconds—necessary to gain the upper hand.

The next time you run an errand, count the number of people that come within five feet of you. Quickly classify them into three categories: friend, enemy, or unknown.

Your friends aren't going to rough you up, and you’re already on alert if you see your known enemies. But what of the unknown?

They could be anywhere: your enemy’s friends, a thug looking for an easy target, or someone having a really bad day.

8 In some situations, things happen so fast—and so unex- pectedly—that even Gabe would have little advice for you. Situa- tional awareness is important— but we don't always get all the intel until it is too late. Every day, we find ourselves within close proximity of someone we don't know.

Back in the early ‘80s, Sgt. Tueller developed a drill

“Easier said In such a scenario, you someone you know slashes at will likely sense that something you with a PRACTICE knife from than done,“ I isn’t quite right—while you look a five-foot distance in your home. for a way to avoid the situation Imagine this person is a stranger, thought. without appearing like a lion’s with a real knife, lunging at you appetizer. at night on a wet sidewalk. which showed that it only took Suppose that option is no A lack of sufficient train- 1.5 seconds for an attacker with longer available. Imagine you’re ing, to bridge the gap between a knife to travel approximately five feet from a stranger, look- martial arts and range shooting, 21 feet. That’s about the same ing for a way out, when you’re will severely reduce your ability time it takes someone to draw attacked. This is where Gabe’s to survive this encounter. This and fire two rounds into a target. class gets its colorful nickname. is where gun fighting comes in. It must be a simple, workable While this is a great place For those with a martial system. You must be able to ex- to start your training, we don’t arts background, the first option plode instantly off the “X,” redi- always have the advantage of would be to go to open hands rect a knife or pistol (if distance recognizing a threat at such a and fight. The problem here is permits) and move around your distance. As Gabe puts it, in a that, with our martial arts hat on, attacker, while accessing your sarcastic tone of voice, “No one we don't think about using our concealed weapon. This system is going to raise his knife and pistol. must be practiced. say: ‘Hey you! I'm going to attack you because my Kung Fu is If you feel the pistol is all “Caveman Karate,” as better than yours, and then start the “martial arts” you need, try Gabe puts it, is a set of founda- running at you from far away’.” pulling out your REDGUN while tional techniques from different martial arts. Among them is a modified Hubud Lubud from the Filipino martial arts.

Gabe has modified this move. He works the first two soft blocks into a quick habit reac- tion—like a flinch. Another developed “flinch” involves a quick jerk back, to avoid a low thrust or sweep from the knife. This is done in a manner that maintains 9 your forward balance while your branched off to other systems. hand helps intercept the block. He has trained with several no- table knife instructors. Gabe has This intercept may just be respect for what the knife can "Standing and delivering a quick reactionary slap—or it do. shots at cardboard-backed may end up as a catch or trap. It depends on where your hand He thinks that the gun paper targets doesn't give ends up. The key is to learn to culture’s fear of knives is as silly one a realistic view of "the your options, and to practice as the leftist’s fear of guns. As he fight". This class, as do them dynamically, over and over. sees it, the knife is just another many of the Suarez Inter- Don’t focus on using a certain tool. The fight will be whatever it national classes, shows the defense. Just react to whatever will be. To prevail in that fight, the student what it is like to con- you get after your initial “flinch.” fighter must be flexible. He must By developing these flinches, adapt to what he cannot control tend with a non-compliant you can maintain a dynamic ap- or change. He must also use opponent at bad-breath dis- proach that’s so easy even a whatever tools are on hand. tances." caveman could do it. Gabe advocates physi- ~Richard Coplin, Suarez Gabe Suarez considers cal conditioning, skills in hand- Staff Instructor himself a combat instructor, to-hand fighting, knives, and, not a firearms instructor. of course, firearms. His end Gabe has been training goal: to be as complete a in fighting since he was warrior as possible. 10 years old. His first training was in Kyokushinkai karate. He then

Visit www.Suarez- International.com for more information on this course as well as many others.

10 11 Smith&Wesson M&P 15-22

by John Mirarchi A Low-Cost, High-Return Training Aid

hat a year it’s been in the world of firearms structed from high strength polymers. It features Wsales! As most know, the elections of late ‘08 a 16-inch match grade barrel, full-length rail inter- have supercharged an already brisk market for face, functional charging handles and a bolt catch. AR-style rifles and ammunition. Prices doubled— It comes with a 10 or 25-round magazine, depend- or even tripled—practically overnight. ing on state laws. As well, it uses a standard AR- 15 trigger group, pistol grip, 6 position CAR butt This trend raised the cost of equipment stock, magazine release, and removable front and and training supplies almost out of range for many rear sights. shooters. I faced cutbacks of 50% to my training schedule. The M&P 15-22’s use of many standard AR- 15 components sets it apart from the competition. I searched for a low-cost, high-return alter- Its ability to accept AR-15 aftermarket triggers, native that would provide quality time on the range. grips, b.u.i.s., and butt stocks gives it the edge in Smith & Wesson’s new M&P 15-22 rifle seemed to cost-effectiveness. This gives it greater flexibility be the answer. and a longer useful life as a training aid. In my experience, the AR aftermarket changes fashion The M&P 15-22 is a .22 cal rimfire rifle con- faster than the pages of Vogue magazine.

12 Smith&Wesson M&P 15-22

by John Mirarchi A Low-Cost, High-Return Training Aid

13 I was sold. I purchased the M&P 15-22 and Finally, I tested the gun for a general group- promptly took it to the range with 1,200 rounds of ing at 100 yards with 30 rounds fired, using iron 40gr CCI .22 cal rimfire ammunition for a day of sights, and from a kneeling position. The results testing. were impressive.

At the range, I replaced the sights that came Two weeks later, I returned to the range with the gun for a set of Troy b.u.i.s. I then zeroed for a second day with the M&P15-22. This time I the gun at 25 yards. It took about 20 rounds to brought a variety of 22 long rifle ammunition: CCI, zero the rifle to my liking. Now it was ready to be Federal, and Winchester (ranging from 36gr. to put to the test. 40gr. Fmj) and hollow point.

I put the M&P 15-22 through multiple strings I had made changes to the gun, to evaluate of fire from five to 100 yards. I had several feed- its ability to be configured to an individual shooting malfunctions, as shown in the photo below. er’s needs by using “off-the-shelf” AR-15 parts and These, I quickly discovered, were caused by im- accessories. I replaced the trigger group with a proper magazine loading. I learned not to overlap stainless steel set from Timberwolf Tactical. I also the rims of the cartridges. changed out the springs with a set from JP Enter- prises. This improved the trigger pull from stock of around 7 ½ lbs. to a crisp 4 lbs.

Next, I replaced the magazine release with a Norgon Ambi-Catch, and added a set of Tan- goDown rail covers, a Ruger Mini-14 A2 style flash hider and a Command Arms stock. I topped it off with a red dot sight.

I sighted in the red dot at 25 yards. This, once again, took no more than 20 rounds. Once sighted in, the second day started. I engaged targets from 10 - 75 yards in rapid succession and in string-after-string.

Once I solved this problem, the M&P 15-22 No malfunctions of any kind occurred during ran flawlessly through the remaining ammunition. the first group of several hundred rounds. There It became sluggish around the 500-round mark were four malfunctions in the next 100 rounds. and needed to be re-oiled. The blow back action Two were failure to extract; two others were “stove causes the gun to become quickly fouled with car- pipes.” bon. These all occurred with the Winchester ammunition. I believe the failures were not the fault of the ammunition, but due to a buildup of carbon fouling in the receiver. I did not clean the gun after the first range day. I wanted to see how long it could function without cleaning. After a quick wipe- down of the feed ramp, bolt face, and a re-oiling, the remaining 200 rounds of Winchester ammunition fired flawlessly.

My last test of the M&P 15-22 was to shoot it in extreme positions, while using very light hand 14 support. By then, the rifle had fired over 2000 The M&P15-22’s down sides? rounds. I was sure it would fail. The M&P15-22 had only one superficial cleaning and minimal oil- Carbon fouling: It should to be cleaned after 500 ing. I held the rifle on its side, ejection port up, and rounds or it becomes sluggish due to carbon fowl- fired through 150 rounds. I then held it inverted ing. and fired an additional 150 rounds. No malfunctions occurred in either position. Weight: it is a little on the light side—around 6 lbs kitted out. Its magazines are a bit longer than the Final notes: standard GI magazines.

I was at first skeptical of the M&P15-22. I The charging handle: The handle only comes back had doubts about using a .22 cal rimfire rifle as a about half as far as on a AR-15. supplement to reduce training costs. At the end of my evaluation, I was pleased with its performance. Recoil: it has minimal recoil to manage. It handled well and performed all the tasks I set before it—from AR-15 parts interchangeability to close-in move-and-shoot drills, and engagements The average price of the M&P 15-22, with out to 100 yards. four magazines, is around $560. Add to this the cost of 2,400 rounds of .22cal ammunitions at $75. The changes I made to the M&P 15-22 This represents a savings of almost $200, com- enabled it to mimic the configuration I run on my pared to the $800 cost of the same number of primary AR. I estimate that the use of the M&P15- rounds of quality 5.56/.223 ammunition. 22 enables retention of up to 85% of the muscle memory gained during practice with my primary I recommend the M&P 15-22 to the individ- AR. ual or law enforcement personal looking to reduce costs and maintain quality of training. However, I caution you not to use it as your sole training aid. 15 st 21Tactical

raining has come a long way in past way, the customer service and the training The following year I signed up Ttwenty to thirty years. With buzz support that they offer is second to none. for an Innovative Low Light course offered words like realistic training and stress inoc- at ILEETA with Andy Anderson and Tony ulation training, there is a lot of talk these 21st Tactical first came on the Gregory, supported by 21st Tactical. I have days about what the best method of training scene in early 2000 at an ILEETA (Inter- to say it was the best course I have ever tak- is and how it should be done. However, at national Law Enforcement Educators and en. As with all courses in the past, we all the end of the day, training still requires a Trainers Association) conference with a expected to go to a range and lose about an few key components: Subject Matter Ex- product called Airsoft. At first glance, the hour in transit each way. When we showed perts (SMEs), able and willing students, a airsoft weapons they looked like real weap- up for the course in Chicago and found location in which to train, and equipment. ons; they had magazines that looked real out it was being held in a hotel conference Over the years I have worked with many and other than the orange tip, I thought they room, we all figured it was going to be a companies that have offered various forms were real. Being uneducated at the time, I long day of Powerpoint and rubber ducks. of training, such as Simunitions, Paintball, looked at what they had to offer and was Boy, were we all wrong! We walked in to and now days, Airsoft. more amused by the product than anything find a table full of weapons, eye pro, about else. I talked to the guys at 21st Tactical, a million white BBs on a table, a full firing Having worked with and trained grabbed a business card, and filed it away line with backstops, targets, red, blue, and several thousand individuals from all facets like most of us do at trade shows. We con- white lights, and flashlights by the tenfold. of Law Enforcement and Military, I found tinued to use our Simunitions and to train These guys had built a full range in a hotel a company that has risen to the top through the way we had been taught without much room. Andy and Tony presented the mate- a lot of hard work and sacrifice. This com- change to our training curriculum for the rial and within one hour we were off shoot- pany is 21st Tactical, also known as 21st rest of the year. ing (training) in a hotel. We all spent the Century Tactical or 21st Airsoft. Either rest of the day firing rounds and receiving

16 blocks of instruction on Low Light Shoot- ing Techniques. For me and for many oth- A couple of years ago 21st Tacti- ers, this was the day that 21st Tactical and “The need for train- cal moved its HQ to Fort Bragg, N.C. and st Airsoft came on the scene as a viable training will never go away; the I have had the opportunity to visit their ing product. need for realistic training is facilities several times over the past two years. Today they offer more tactical gear Since that time, I have worked always present. In a time of than any other store I have ever been in and with 21st Tactical on numerous occasions economic troubles, Airsoft is their selection of Law Enforcement grade and have crossed paths with them at Na- a realistic tool that provides Airsoft training weapons is second to none. tional Police Week in D.C. working with To facilitate the training that they offer, Ty Weaver of Blackhawk, seen them at cost-effective results and they have recently developed their own line Tactical Red Man 101 courses with Gary Klugi- 21st Tactical is the company of Airsoft marking rounds, IED and RPG witz, worked with them at Dave Young’s that can make it happen for simulators, and many other items that add courses, and listened to Ken Murray speak to the realistic training that we all seek for 21 about them. I have worked with 21st Tacti- you, your agency, and your our officers, soldiers, and agents. Today cal for over six years now and was fortu- unit.” 21st Tactical offers training support in 6 nate enough to be at the very first class they countries, with over 42 adjunct instructors taught. Since that time, I have watched and commonly puts on training missions at 21st Tactical grow into a professional train- Fort Bragg with over 40 role players. ing company that has taken Airsoft from a toy to a viable professional training tool. I also watched 21st Tactical make a decision back in 2006 to only sell its products to Military, Law Enforcement and Armed Professionals.

Today 21st Tactical offers some of the most advanced training you will find and they do most of it using Airsoft. I have seen their videos showing Low Light En- gagement, Active Shooter, CQB, and vehicle stops all using Airsoft. The truly re- markable thing about 21st Tactical is their willingness to work with the customer. You provide them with a training outline and they are happy to share scenarios and their experience with you on how to make your training more realistic for your officers or soldiers. At times I found myself a few weapons short and the guys have either rented or lent me what I needed to complete our training, and they have even offered to assist us in our training by being role players or assistant instructors.

When I first got involved with 21st Tactical, my agency did not have enough money in the budget to purchase all the needed Airsoft equipment, so the guys at 21st Tactical put together a complete package with 4 other agencies in my area, and as a group we pooled our funds and were able to purchase all the necessary equipment that we all needed. Now we all work together sharing the Airsoft equipment, which has allowed us to work closer with our neighboring agencies, which in turn has built a stronger bond between all of us. The guys at 21st Tactical made all of this possible. 17 Ultimate Training Munitions™ Wave of the future for Force-on-Force Training? By Paul Pawela

Recent News Headline: Spike in Number of Cops Killed in Line of Duty

police officer is gunned down in his ter supports the need for Force-on-Force armiger.net), should have their head exam- Apatrol car in Penn Hills, Pa., while training by stating, “Winners, it is revealed, ined. waiting for back up. Near Seattle, four of- tend to anticipate an emerging threat soon- ficers starting their day at a coffee shop are er, shoot to stop faster and more accurately, For a long time Simunitions was ambushed by an ex-con with a handgun. and make fewer errors in judgment because king of the hill in the training world and Another four officers are shot to death in of the unique way in they watch a potential seemed to have cornered the market with Oakland, California after a traffic stop gone attacker’s body as a deadly confrontation no real competitor in sight, but to use a awry. unfolds.” well-known cliché: that was then this is now. The number of police officers Anyone who is remotely associ- killed in the line of duty increased 24 per- ated with any type of simulated Force- There is a new competitor in town cent from 2008. By December, 2009, 47 on-Force training owes a great deal to the that goes by the name Ultimate Training police officers had died nationwide; this pioneers who founded modern day mark- Munitions (UTM™) and it just might have number does not include the many police ing cartridges, inventors David Luxton and what it takes to knock the reigning king off officers who have been involved in gun co-founder Ken Murray. Together they de- the proverbial mountain top. battles. veloped FX® marking cartridges that with the addition of special bolts and barrels, I had the pleasure of meeting All one has to do is look at the military and law enforcement can use their Dan Kinkel of Kilo 10 (www.kilo10.com) current headlines in today’s newspapers regular weapons and get as close to real whose company is one of the main suppli- to recognize that if there was ever a time gun fighting training as possible, a form ers of UTM™ products. He is also one of in modern history where the good guys of training which later would be known as the foremost trainers on the subject and un- needed realistic Force–on-Force training, Simunitions. And the rest, as they say is like many product peddlers, Dan Kinkel is not only to be proficient to save the lives of history. not just a man who talks the talk; he does in those they are sworn to protect, but to bet- fact walk the walk as he is a recently retired ter protect themselves so they can go home Anyone who is doing Force-on- Special Forces Sergeant Major with mul- safely to their loved ones, it is now. Force training and has not read Ken Mur- tiple combat tours. Dan knows full well The Force Science Research Cen- ray’s definitive, classic book on the sub- the importance of training people who go ject, Training at the Speed of Life (www. 18 into harm’s way, as previously mentioned, as realistically as possible. He is a been “Up for the challenge, Dan put his money where his there, done that kind of guy but, as someone who’s been around the block once or mouth was and invited me to the mother of all testing twice myself, I was a bit skeptical of the newest and latest product scheme. grounds, the International Florida SWAT Up for the challenge, Dan put his money where his mouth was and invited Round-up held in Orlando, Florida.” me to the mother of all testing grounds, the International Florida SWAT Round-up held Since the military and now law With handguns, the results were in Orlando, Florida. The SWAT Round-up enforcement are using the M-4 platform, the same; the round it went where you lined is not the place to try to BS anyone. I have the UTM™ bolt works in the same fashion. up the sight of the weapon being used. seen many a vendor’s feelings hurt and ca- By simply removing the live bolt and in- reers crushed due to the fact people would stalling the UTM™ training bolt, it too be- Now let’s see, UTM™ passed say their product could do this or that only comes fail-safe due to the fact the UTM™ the safety test. Check. The accuracy test? to find out it couldn’t, and once negative bolt has a 3mm offset firing pin position so Check. How about one of the most impor- press gets out about a product, well, game that it cannot detonate live center fire am- tant tests, the reliability factor? over. munition. Out of several thousand rounds Any time anyone even talks about An additional safety measure is from the M-4 and both handguns used, one Force-on-Force training, the number one that the dust cover will not close while the Glock and one Beretta, none were cleaned; consideration, FIRST AND FOREMOST UTM™ training bolt is in place in the M-4 there were ZERO malfunctions. Before is it has to be safe, no ifs, ands, or buts platform. This helps the student and the you Doubting Thomases starting crying about it. The UTM™ Instructor Certifi- instructor once again identify on the firing foul or say Dan Kinkel’s guns were special- cation Course workbook states that it pro- line that everyone has a clear view that a ly modified for UTM™ ammo, sorry but vides the world’s safest Training Ammuni- training bolt is in use and not a live one. they were real weapons. However, since tion Management System. Well, that got I thought this question might come up, I my attention because everyone knows how OK, so it passed the first hurdle grabbed Rob Dearden, Director of Law many fatalities have happened when shoot- that it is safe, but does it work without mal- Enforcement Training of Ruger® Firearms ing marking rounds out of real guns. functioning and just how accurate are the and had him bring Ruger’s newest M4 rifle marking rounds? to try out with UTM™. Rob took his bolt So what makes UTM™ so safe? out put UTMs in and it shot like the Rolls All UTM™ Pistol Conversion Kits incor- Both are good questions and I am Royce gun, that is, with zero malfunctions. porate a standard fail-safe to prevent the glad you asked, let’s answer the last ques- firing of a standard live round. This is done tion first, shall we? UTM™ reliable? Check. by ensuring that the converted UTM™ training barrel has insufficient head space At 25 yards with a regular M-4 So what else makes UTM™ dif- for a standard “LIVE” round to fit in the platform with a standard EO Tech® Tacti- ferent from others? The shells have two UTM™ Conversion barrel. cal Sight, I the mere mortal average shooter primers, a forward and rear primer, for that I am, was able to make head shots on the separated energy, which means no powder, Since the conversion kit cham- silhouette targets all day long. The Shoot- which translates into no accidental deaths ber is shorter, and a different size than the ing Gods at the SWAT Round–up, like Tom like what happen to Bruce Lee’s son, Bran- standard chamber, it uses a chamber that is Cambel from Team Safariland, and Dave don, who was killed during the filming of specific to the UTM™ ammo. This makes Sevigny, Jessie Abbate, and Randi Rogers the movie The Crow, when a blank was it impossible for the weapon to chamber a from Team Glock, were doing what they do able to push a squib round that was stuck in live round. best, putting holes in smaller holes, making the barrel of the gun. The powder from the it look so easy. Don’t worry about Jessie blank alone proved to be powerful enough The training barrels are easy to and Randi being women either; most men to push the stuck bullet and fatally wound identify because they are clearly marked by wish to the Creator they could shoot as well and kill Brandon Lee. a blue stamp that is visible to both trainer as them. and students that they have a training barrel in their duty weapon.

19 The marking wax is cosmetic wax by adding noise and increasing stress which UTM™ also advises that you wear and does not leave that much a mess, which are good for training. The weapon functions two layers of loose fitting clothing and in- is a big plus and the aluminum casings are normally, complete with recoil without the side as well as outside groin guards. not harmful or toxic to the environment, so use of a blank adapter and guess what, it that will help keep Green Peace at peace. works with MILES gear as we tested it out On a fun note, I will not lie to at CUBIC (www.cubic.com) who supplies you that you will not feel the UTM™ Man UTM™ offers four different the government with some 70 percent of its Marking round; it has a little sting to it and rounds: (1) Man Marking Round, (2) Si- MILES gear, so there is none of this “you the UTM™ is going at 375 feet per second lent Blank Rounds, (3) Battlefield Blank missed me” child’s play. which is still less than the other guys whose Rounds, and (4) Target Bullet Rounds. round goes at 650 feet per second. Howev- Of course the Target Bullet Round er, when Ms. Randi Rogers of Team Glock, You are probably wondering what is for COB live fire training where you can who stands some five feet nothing, insisted the difference is between Silent Blank set up a range using ¾-inch plywood. on being shot with the UTM™ Man Marker Rounds and Battlefield rounds. Silent round, we called out all the macho SWAT blank rounds are good for a variety of rea- When it all comes down to it, it all cops who refused to be shot for demonstra- sons, the biggest reason I see is to prac- depends on the bean count administrators tion (SWAT sissies). Of course it humili- tice handgun retention drills. In fact, TLM if they are going to buy the product or not ated them that a woman did it and well, (www.fcsafehouse.com) Chief Instructor, for training. Well good news here on two that was all the public peer pressure any of Jeff Moldovan, who not only has one of counts, UTM™ is pretty cost-effective in those guys could take. Needless to say, we the best handgun disarm systems in the two ways. One, the UTM ™ marking car- acquired a lot more willing volunteers after country, but has served as both stuntman tridges are about half of the cost of their that. and fight chorographer for major motion competitors and two, UTM™ does not pictures is going to use UTM™ Blanks in require all the padded gear that normally On a serious note, if someone tells future movies. goes with marking rounds. UTM™ sells you they cannot afford to supply you with their own ESS face Goggle and frames, UTM™ equipment, remind them of today’s The Battlefield Blanks can be used UTM™ full coverage face mask for head news headlines and tell them The Opera- with your duty weapons to increase realism protection, and Gauntlet Gloves. tors of today cannot afford not to.

20 21 S T O R M I N G LAS VEGAS: How a Cuban-Born, Soviet-Trained Commando Took Down the Strip to the Tune of Five World-Class Ho- tels, Three Armored Cars, and $3 Million Dollars by John Huddy reviewed by Don Roff “Bullets whine through the 108-degree heat under the blazing sun in rapid succession—7.62 rounds from an AK-47. The bullets zip at a deadly velocity of 2,100 feet per second. There are two shooters—men wearing black fatigue trousers, black boots, black sweatshirts, black hoods, black baseball bat- ting gloves, and black ski masks. The well- trained men leapfrog from one position to another along the bullet-ravaged street, moving with deadly purpose.”

22 his could be a special that he would be molded into Brinks trucks. After careful Spetsnaz-style training. Toperations mission in an elite commando. He re- preparation, on September the street of some Middle ceived extensive training in 20, 1998, Vigoa struck Ve- Training Eastern country. But it isn’t. surveillance and the use of gas. In a series of armed It’s Las Vegas Boulevard at automatic weapons. robberies, including hits on Vigoa put his team 10:04 in the morning, June five Strip casinos within 16 through their paces. In tar- 28, 1999. One of the men, After his tour with months, Vigoa was deter- get practice, each gunman the leader, Jose Vigoa, is the Soviet forces, Vigoa fled mined to take revenge on switched back and forth trained in special warfare Cuba during the Mariel boat- what he perceived as the from handguns to rifles and and has spent his time in lift—a mass exodus of Cu- city’s corrupt power struc- automatic weapons. They one of the world’s bloodiest bans who fled Cuba’s Mariel ture. practiced fire and maneu- campaigns. But right now, Harbor for the United States vering, as they leapfrogged he just wants cash—10 mil- between April 15 and Octo- The Las Vegas po- from one position to another. lion dollars’ worth inside the ber 31, 1980. lice force—“The Stupids” as They ran in short, choppy Brinks armored car that he Vigoa liked to call them—was steps before falling to one and his partner hijack, a get- Soon after his US unprepared. The city was knee and then into the prone away car waiting. arrival, Vigoa moved to Las a haven for police officers position—firing their weap- Vegas. There, he tried un- looking to put in time before ons throughout the exercise. “You will be fat and successfully to support his moving to a major metropoli- The gang also learned about happy the rest of your lives,” family through work at casi- tan force. As well, Vegas at suppressing fire. Vigoa told his men the day nos. Vegas was a town full of this time tried to revamp into before this particular rob- booze, prostitution, and illicit a family-friendly destination. Vigoa also estab- bery. “Our children will go drugs. Vigoa soon found the lished his Rules: to the best schools, we will profitable niche of making You can imagine the drive German-made sports cocaine deliveries. Eventu- impact Vigoa’s crime spree 1. No talking during a job, cars with giant motors, and ally, Vigoa was caught—but had on the lackadaisical except when “freezing” the we will have houses all over not before he tried to run police standards of the city. victim (ordering him to stop the world.” over two FBI agents during Vigoa’s robberies were less and drop his weapon). Ab- a high-speed vehicle pursuit. like the work of a thief than solute silence was required This scenario was The drug trafficking charges, of an urban guerrilla, taking among unit members. one of many that the master- along with the assault on the his war to the tawdry wealth 2. Plan A; Disarm guards. mind Vigoa pulled off, start- agents, saw him sentenced of corporate Vegas. Plan B: Kill them without ing on September 20, 1998. to 19 years in prison. This was a time when well- “You will be fat and happy the rest of your armed criminals ran amok Vigoa tried to go lives,” Vigoa told his men the day before in the streets of Las Vegas. straight after his release The local police force could from prison. The odds were this particular robbery. “Our children will go do little but watch and wait against him. In Huddy’s to the best schools, we will drive German- for the next Vigoa heist. book, the Cuban reports that made sports cars with giant motors, and we all too often his parole officer will have houses all over the world.” The Man with the would routinely show up at Criminal Plans his job brandishing Vigoa’s criminal record. Vigoa enlisted a hesitation if they resist. Jose Manuel Vigoa “In my world, you are either band of fellow Cubans as 3. Vigoa, and Vigoa alone, Perez was born December the hunter or the prey, and his crew. They weren’t up to gave the orders the orders 24, 1959 in the barrio of I am the hunter. Vegas was the standards and training when to retire to the getaway Cayaguazal, located in the my prey. I tell my crew: Ve- that Vigoa had received in car. village of Caimito del Guay- gas makes it, Vigoa takes Afghanistan. On the armed 4. The second getaway abal, ten miles southwest of it.” gang’s first heist, the get- vehicle (technically known Havana. Vigoa had a short away driver left the car in as the first lay-off car) was childhood. Many boys his Soon after that, drive while they executed within running distance of age (13) were uprooted from Vigoa made profitable use the robbery. Vigoa noticed the job. Armored car driv- their easygoing, simple life of the skills he acquired in the car rolling down the ers were taught to use their in Cuba. Angola and Afghanistan. He street without its driver as truck as a battering ram, and returned to a life of crime— they were about to grab the could damage the first car at Vigoa was recruited on a much larger scale! cash. He was forced to abort the crime scene. and sent to the Soviet Union the mission. 5. A minimum of three lay-off to join the elite Spetsnaz He conducted a After that, Vigoa cars per job. These vehicles, force fighting in Angola and detailed, methodical sur- decided to take his team plus the first getaway car— Afghanistan. It was there veillance of the Las Vegas out to the desert for some the one whose license plate 23 number everybody writes down with great excitement— Cautious and well prepared, Vigoa even went so far make a total of four cars per job. as to steal 11 cars from a rental car lot so that he could 6. Speed is essential—one minute and out. always have three getaway vehicles close to whatever loca- 7. No lay-off cars to be stored in casino lots, because se- tion he was hitting. This gave him and his crew the ability to curity has been writing down plate numbers. Use apartment swap vehicles to throw the police off. lots. 8. Chaos is key. (No modus operandi. This is war. Predict- Vigoa pulled off most robberies without firing a shot. ability gets you killed.) He believed that no security guard would risk their life to de- 9. Leave nothing behind. fend somebody else’s money. He was wrong. A Henderson, 10. Ski masks and dark clothing. Always wear gloves. Leave Nevada shopping mall robbery left two Brinks employees, the masks on until we reach the third getaway car. Gary Dean Prestige and Richard Sosa, gunned down under the blazing sun by Vigoa’s AK-47. Commando Techniques Crime and Punishment In later robberies, with better training, the gang used As cautious and calculating classic commando doctrines: as Vigoa was, he was not with- clandestine insertion; brief, vio- out his share of sloppy errors. lent combat; rapid disengage- His biggest mistake came when ment; swift, deceptive withdraw- he robbed the Bellagio wearing al. the flimsy disguise of sunglass- es and a baseball cap. The Bel- The cops soon realized lagio, which had high-tech secu- they faced criminals with ex- rity, managed to get extremely ceptional battlefield intelligence, detailed shots of Vigoa. His im- modern-day firepower, and so- age ended up being broadcast phisticated small-unit tactics. for four days on Vegas television Marine and army veterans in the and finally resulted in a 100 mph Las Vegas police force recog- car chase through the city. nized the Special Forces guerilla warfare tactics. Lt. John Alamshaw, a 23- year veteran in charge of rob- Weapons bery detectives, was not as “stu- pid” as Vigoa would have liked Vigoa used an arsenal or hoped. For Alanshaw, the of weapons—one Smith & Wes- Cuban’s crime spree was a person .38, one Smith & Wesson sonal affront. Alamshaw risked .40 semiautomatic, one Ruger life and badge to bring Vigoa to 9 mm P-85, one Glock .45, one justice. Ruger .357 revolver, one AK-47 assault rifle, two Norinco MAK Vigoa’s capture, arrest, and 90s (a Chinese version of the sentencing, left him facing more AK-47), and two Russian-made than 500 years in prison with VEPR .308-caliber sniper rifles. no possibility of parole. “When I couldn’t get a decent job, when I In Huddy’s book, Vigoa couldn’t provide for my wife and justifies his actions by saying, “I didn’t enjoy killing or crime, three daughters, I resorted to the only training I had—lead- but if that’s how I could take my family out of poverty, then ing men in combat,” Vigoa would later admit. that’s what I would do.” Although Vigoa will never walk the streets of Ve- More Robberies gas again, he did set a dangerous precedent. Huddy ends Storming Las Vegas by saying that Vigoa may well represent In the 16 months of robberies, Vigoa and crew hit the criminal masterminds of the future, “trained either by the the gravy train of Vegas hotels—the MGM, the Desert Inn, West or the East, by the insurgents or the occupiers, and the New York/New York, the Mandalay Bay, and the Bella- they are coming our way.” gio. Millions of dollars were stolen. In addition, Vigoa bugged Brinks’ trucks and established patterns in their deliveries and John Huddy’s book is a relatively fast and entertain- pickups. He patiently built detailed plans that exploited any ing read. I recommend picking it up from your favorite library weaknesses he found. or bookseller. It is also available in an e-book or audio version. 24 25 Training and Mindset Versus Superior Firepower:

The North Hollywood Bank Robbery Shootout

An Interview with LAPD Sgt. James Zaboravan

26 t is about 0900 hours. Two men sit LAPD’s Gang Enforcement Detail, was By this time, the shooting from Iin a dirty white sedan. Clad in black hit and seriously wounded that day. De- inside the bank stopped; all was quiet. clothing, they wear custom made body spite his wounds, he continued to fight James would later learn that the initial armor that covers them from neck to and protect not only citizens, but his gunfire was Phillips, shooting open toe. Faces masked with black bala- fellow officers. Tactical MILSIM maga- locks on the interior doors of the bank. clavas, each man is armed with an AK- zine recently had the honor of speaking James would also learn that the sus- 47 assault rifle with a hundred round with Sgt. Zaboraban about this histori- pects were wearing body armor. drum, and a pistol. The two men have cal police shootout. back up primary weapons, a fully au- James related an interest- tomatic M16 and a .308 caliber HK 91. “On February 28th, 1997, I was ing fact about the suspects’ infamous They have about 3000 rounds of am- a probationary police officer in North armor. Matasernau and Phillips were munition. Hollywood Division assigned to day covered from head to toe in soft body watch. I had graduated the academy armor. Phillips painstakingly sewed These men are ready. They two months and eight days prior to this together pieces of different vests, and have trained with their weapons and incident. So, besides being a rookie, made a “suit of armor” that covered conducted reconnaissance. They have I was just out of the academy. I was him from neck to toe. The purpose taken powerful narcotics to relax their working with my training officer, Stew- of Phillips’ suit was not just to protect nerves and dull the pain of incoming art Guy,” James said. him from police bullets. “Phillips’ job, rounds. They have a maximum time upon entering the bank, was to shoot on target of eight minutes and are pre- James and Stewart were en the locks out of the bullet resistant pared for any contingency. route to an unrelated call when they door with his AK-47, in order to get to heard another officer put out a crime the vault area,” James stated. When These men are not in a foreign broadcast over the police radio, “Pos- Phillips shot the door, fragments would land, waiting to launch a terrorist attack sible 211 (robbery) in progress at the spray back at him. The “suit of armor” on a military stronghold. These men Bank of America on Laurel Canyon.” It would protect him from this, and also are actually sitting in the parking lot of was Officer Loren Farell, also working from police rounds. a Bank of America in North Hollywood, patrol that morning in North Hollywood California. The date: February 28th, Division. Seconds later, Officer Farell Matasernau and Phillips had 1997. Their names: Larry Phillips Jr. broadcasted: “Officer needs help, shots a “standard operating procedure” of and Emil Matasareanu. They are about fired at the Bank of America on Laurel staying in the bank no longer than to unleash their arsenal of weapons on Canyon!” eight minutes. This time, the suspects’ anyone that gets in their way as they greed would cause them to violate their rob the bank and attempt to escape. James and Stewart sped to- own rule. They expected to find about wards the Bank of America with lights $800,000 in cash in the vault. They Alert Los Angeles Police offi- and sirens. James readied the shot- only got $300,000. They remained in cers, on routine patrol, spotted Phillips gun. They arrived and parked on the the bank an extra six minutes, trying to and Matasareanu as they entered the west side of the bank in a strip mall, get more cash from the ATM machine. bank, armed with AK-47s. The patrol near a kiosk. The kiosk was right off This allowed the LAPD to set a stron- officers called in backup, surrounded of the sidewalk across the street from ger containment around the bank. the bank, and ordered the two men the bank. Standing behind it were two to drop their weapons. Phillips and plainclothes LAPD detectives, William Phillips was the first to walk out Matasareanu had no intention of giving Krulak and Tracy Angeles. The officers of the bank, on the north side. James up. Instead they attempted to kill doz- were in the area and responded to as- remembered the scene vividly. “He’s ens of police officers and civilians. sist. Neither Krulak nor Angeles wore walking northbound when he looks up body armor, and James observed this. into the intersection of Laurel Canyon The responding LAPD officers “I just noticed it, put it in the back of my and Archwood and sees Sgt. Dean literally formed a thin blue line to pro- mind, and moved on,” James said. Haynes and his police car, blocking tect the citizens of Los Angeles from traffic at the intersection, and three two murderous psychopaths. The responding officers were outgunned. Several were hit and sustained serious injuries. Despite these disadvantages, “Alert Los Angeles Police offi- they held the line and stopped the suspects. These LAPD officers were able cers, on routine patrol, spotted Phil- to win this gunfight through bravery, lips and Matasareanu as they en- good training, and the warrior mindset. tered the bank, armed with AK-47s.” One of these first responders was rookie Officer James Zaborovan. James, who is now a Sergeant with the 27 civilians,” James said. “Phillips then raises his AK-47 and in full auto mode, fires at Sgt. Haynes, his car, and the civilians. Sgt. Haynes is hit and so are two of the three civilians.”

James was positioned on the west side of the bank, behind the kiosk with the detectives, and had an angle on Phillips. “I raised up the shotgun…I had his whole back, and I fired two, 00 buckshot rounds into his back. Our tac-load holds nine pellets each. I later found out afterwards, from the autopsy, [that] I had hit him with about nine pellets, eight of which lodged into his body armor, and one actually hit him in the tail bone, but all it really did was piss him off,” James recalled.

James also remembered specific details about the shots he took on Phillips. “My sight picture was his whole shoulder and back area…and I opened up both eyes at the last second hit his flashlight; the other struck both get up off this ground, and I’m gonna to make sure I had a good background. his handcuff cases. fight.’ Rich stood up, returned fire and Just coming out of the academy you killed the suspect.” have that muscle memory.” At this point in the shootout, James was hit and seriously wounded. Detective Householder was But James’ solid hit did nothing He was pinned down behind the kiosk. shot three times. He told James’ acad- to faze Phillips. “He just spun around He and the other officers were sprayed emy class that he was not going to lay and opened up on us with his AK. We with bullet fragments and debris. The there and die. He was going to get up all dived to the asphalt behind the ki- AK rounds punched through the kiosk. and not only survive, but win the gun- osk. I remembered that the detectives The suspect seemed to have an unlim- fight. Householder’s words echoed in did not have any body armor on, and I ited supply of ammunition. James had James’ mind. James was not going crawled up on top of them, and I was hit the suspect with 00 buck and the to lay there and die—he was going to hit. My body was hit twice. I took a suspect was still shooting. fight. round that went in my hip, and it exited out my butt cheek, and one sliced James remembered his acade- But James and his fellow of- across my back, just below the vest, my training. “We had a detective, Rich ficers were seriously outgunned, and leaving a seven inch wound.” Householder, come in to the academy. now they had wounded. If they stayed When he was a patrol officer, he and behind the kiosk, they were all going to In true cop fashion, James his partner stopped two robbery sus- get shot and die on this dirty street in jokes about being wounded in the rear pects. One of the suspects exited the North Hollywood. They had to make end, “The L.A. Times reported that I car and they got into a shooting. Rich a move. They split up into two “buddy was ‘shot in the buttocks’ so I’ve been was hit right away, and was knocked teams” of sorts; James and Krulak and Forrest Gump ever since.” James was down to the ground. As he went down Angeles and Guy. actually hit two more times. One round to the ground, Rich thought, ‘I’m gonna James and Krulak made several bounds to vehicles behind them for better cover. With each vehicle they moved to, Phillips followed them “At this point in the shoot- with his automatic weapon fire. “Ev- ery car we move behind, he just de- out, James was hit and seriously stroys. It was almost like the movies; wounded.” you’re getting hit with pieces of the vehicle, radiator fluid, and glass is flying everywhere,” James said. “At about the third car, detective Krulak gets hit in the upper ankle area and he falls to 28 James and Krulak were even- Officer Torres, along with tually extracted from the area, and giv- other nearby officers, hit Phillips seven medical treatment. James fully re- eral times. One police round actually covered from his injuries, but required knocked the pistol out of Phillips’ hand. surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his Phillips picked the pistol up and shot hip. himself. An LAPD officer’s round si- multaneously hit Phillips and severed Suspect Matasareanu eventu- his spine. This killed him instantly. Of- ally walked out of the bank, and tried ficer Torres, still maintaining his warrior to escape in his vehicle, a white Chevy mindset, conducted an ammo check. Celebrity, which had all of its tires shot He had one round left. out by police. Matasareanu drove a short distance from the bank, through a Meanwhile, as Matasareanu residential neighborhood, and attempt- attempted to get in another vehicle, ed to carjack a better working vehicle. he was confronted by three elite LAPD Along the way, Matasareanu encoun- SWAT officers. They arrived in a patrol tered Officer Conrad Torres. car. Matasareanu hid behind his vehicle. He sprayed a full auto M16 blindly The policeman had already at them. SWAT officers exited their car been wounded in the neck earlier by and shot underneath the vehicles with Phillips, during the initial engagement, their M16s. They struck Matasareanu when Sgt. Haynes was hit. Torres en- in his legs, causing him to finally sur- gaged Matasareanu with his pistol. Tor- render. Matasareanu later died from res and Matasareanu had a running gun his wounds. battle, as Matasareanu drove down the the ground.” Krulak stood up, and they street firing full auto bursts from his AK James, and the other LAPD of- made another break for better cover. A through the window at Torres. Matasar- ficers involved in this shootout, survived dentist office was behind them, with a glass door. James took the lead, and decided that he was going to charge right through the glass. There was no “Phillips continued to time to stop, or they would most likely get shot trying to open the door. shoot it out with other police at the bank. He attempted to “At a full sprint, with the shotgun out in front of me, I jumped through escape on foot after Matasar- the dentist’s glass doors. Jumping through the glass, I didn’t get cut. Talk- eanu drove away.” ing later with Angeles and Guy who saw us running and jump through the doors, Phillips was shooting at us, and rounds were actually sparking on the eanu continued on and drove away. and won, due to training and mind- ground by our feet. I think that some set. “We do have very good training,” of the bullets that missed us actually hit Phillips continued to shoot James said. “That’s one thing I can put the door, and kind of broke the glass as it out with other police at the bank. up against any other department, prob- I jumped through.” He attempted to escape on foot af- ably in the world, is our training. Our ter Matasareanu drove away. Phillips instructors do an outstanding job…they James and Krulak entered walked down the street; now he, too, have been there and done that.” the dentist’s office. They ran upstairs encountered Officer Torres. Torres, and were met by Dr. Montez, who had who had just survived a 9mm handgun LAPD has extensive firearms watched the shootout from the upstairs versus full auto AK-47 gun battle with and tactical training—both in the acad- window. Dr. Montez treated James’ Matasareanu, did not hesitate. emy and throughout an officer’s ca- wounds. Detective Krulak received the reer. “You go over it so many times, shotgun from James, and covered the Outgunned again, Torres in the academy or at the firing range… stairwell, in case the suspect tried to raised his 9mm Beretta pistol and en- it builds the muscle memory. Officer follow them into the office. “[Krulak] gaged Phillips, who was also armed Conrad Torres and dozens of other of- was able to keep that tactical mindset, with an AK-47. Phillips had a weapons ficers did outstanding work that day. It so that if we have to re-engage we’re malfunction with his rifle and switched was because of that training and the going to be ready.” to a 9mm pistol. Now the men had muscle memory, that they had that even odds. proficiency. Everyone knew they were 29 you will most likely find a patrol rifle in every police patrol vehicle.

James also stressed the importance of being physically fit. Being in top physical condition helped James to keep fighting, despite serious wounds. His physical condition also helped him to recover fully from his injuries.

The success of LAPD’s training program is clearly evidenced in James’ performance during the North Hollywood shootout. He was a rookie officer—with less than three months on the street. He was involved in one of the most violent shoot-outs in Ameri- can police history. But he decisively engaged the threat without hesitation, placed accurate fire on the suspect, and had the presence of mind and bravery to shield his fellow officers who did not wear body armor.

All of the involved officers of the North Hollywood shootout serve as great examples of the effectiveness of good tactical training, the warrior mindset, and the bravery and dedication of the American cop.

outgunned that day, but they relied on enforcement lingo, a bailout bag con- their training and experience to prevail, tains extra ammunition, trauma dress- and ultimately did,” James said. ings, energy bars and water. This supply is ready for an officer to grab out of It is this type of training that his patrol vehicle during an emergency also helps build the “warrior mindset” situation. to keep fighting, no matter what, even if you are hit. With the warrior mind- LAPD, and the rest of the law set you know you will survive and win. enforcement community, learned the This mindset is shared amongst police importance of the tactical rifle for day officers and military personnel; it is al- to day police operations. Anyone who most a religion for those who willingly has heard James’ story can likely imag- go into harm’s way. ine how quickly the North Hollywood shootout would have ended if James Another aspect of proper had an AR-15 when he took that first mindset, for any warrior, is prepara- shot on Phillips. If responding officers tion. Several responding officers ran had AR-15s, Matasareanu would have out of ammunition. “You can’t go out never made it out of the parking lot. there with just a revolver and eighteen bullets anymore, you need to have a Almost immediately after North bailout bag, and an extra magazine on Hollywood, the LAPD and other agen- your belt…a lot of people changed their cies across the nation issued AR-15 mindset after that,” James said. In law type rifles to patrol personnel. Today

30 31 32

SWAT(Special Enforcement Bureau.) SEB called is unit Department’s Sheriff County Angeles Los the SWAT, while called actually is unit Department’s Police Los Angeles the example, For teams. their name to ronyms ac- various use agencies enforcement law Different rescue. hostage and service, warrant risk high subjects, barricaded personnel, through tactical intervention. This includes armed patrol regular of capability the beyond are that situations risk high certain withresolving of- are tasked enforcement teams law SWAT of ficers. teams specialized for used monly com- acronym an is Tactics) And Weapons (Special SWAT SWAT(Special Enforcement Bureau.) SEB called is unit Department’s Sheriff County Angeles Los the SWAT, while called actually is unit Department’s Police Los Angeles the example, For teams. their name to ronyms ac- various use agencies enforcement law Different rescue. hostage and service, warrant risk high subjects, barricaded personnel, through tactical intervention. This includes armed patrol regular of capability the beyond are that situations risk high certain withresolving of- are tasked enforcement teams law SWAT of ficers. teams specialized for used monly com- acronym an is Tactics) And Weapons (Special SWAT 33 SWAT teams use various tactical building entry / room clearing techniques. These tactics are often very similar to techniques used by military forces, but are often modified for the law enforcement mission. Each team will have their own “style” of clearing rooms.

34 SWAT teams use various tactical building entry / room clearing techniques. These tactics are often very similar to techniques used by military forces, but are often modified for the law enforcement mission. Each team will have their own “style” of clearing rooms.

35 The versatile, time tested 12 gauge shotgun platform is still widely used by SWAT teams. Here a SWAT officer fires a Bennelli M3 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun. GEAR

Whatever the name, all SWAT teams use a variety of fire- -Secondary Weapon: Glock 21 with Surfire X200 LED light arms, less than lethal weapons, armor systems, and gear to attachment. accomplish these missions. Pictured here is the typical load out carried by an individual SWAT operator: Ammunition: Rifle: Winchester 5.56mm Standard NATO SS109 / M855 GEAR DESCRIPTION: ball Protective Gear: Pistol: Winchester.45 Ranger 230 grain hollow point. -Safariland TAC 6 Level IIIA tactical vest with front and back SAPI plates Less Lethal: -MACH Level IIIA helmet, with USGI helmet band with op- -DEF-TEC 25 Light Sound Diversionary Device (commonly erator’s name and blood type called flashbangs). -Oakley fan Goggles and Blackhawk Nomex balaclava. -X26 TASER (not pictured) -Oakley Protective gloves and Alta knee pads. -MSA Millennium gas mask with CBRN filter Gear: -Blackhawk Thigh rig which holds extra .223 mags and flash- Communications: bangs. -TCI Solider System headset with noise canceling for weap- - Maxpedition RolyPoly dump pouch (attached to back of ons fire / explosives, but with amplification for ambient vest) sound, and built in radio communications. -Safariland 6004 pistol holster.

Weapons: Uniform: -Primary Weapon: Colt M16 Commando 5.56mm rifle with OD green UnderArmor T-shirt 11.5 inch barrel, select fire. This rifle is outfitted with an 5.11 TDUs Eotech 553 holographic sight and Surefire M900 lighting Oakley SI Assault Boots system. 36 The versatile, time tested 12 gauge shotgun platform is still widely used by SWAT teams. Here a SWAT officer fires a Bennelli M3 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun. GEAR

Weapons: Uniform: -Primary Weapon: Colt M16 Commando 5.56mm rifle with OD green UnderArmor T-shirt 11.5 inch barrel, select fire. This rifle is outfitted with an 5.11 TDUs Eotech 553 holographic sight and Surefire M900 lighting Oakley SI Assault Boots system. 37 Many SWAT teams are using the M16 family of rifles, including this M16 Commando, a shortened version of the military M4 carbine. Many police agencies have found that the M16’s .223 cartridge is very well suited for law enforcement applications.

38 Many SWAT teams are using the M16 family of rifles, including this M16 Commando, a shortened version of the military M4 carbine. Many police agencies have found that the M16’s .223 cartridge is very well suited for law enforcement applications.

39 he other day I was at a local airsoft firearms as barrel harmonics or barrel I removed the upper receiver Tevent where I overheard two play- vibration. The second consideration is and disassembled the outer and inner ers discussing their new airsoft guns. projectile-to-barrel fit, which we will fur- barrels. Next, I placed the two barrels One of the players was upset because ther discuss in the next issue of Tactical about 90% back together and mea- his new gun was not as accurate as his Airsoft Milsim Magazine. sured the movement side-to-side and friend’s, even though they were from up-and-down. The movement mea- the same manufacturer, were shooting What is barrel harmonics/ sured approximately 1/16 of an inch the same BBs, and had similar FPS rat- vibration? In the simplest of terms, in all directions. Now to make the two ings. harmonics/vibration is a very slight barrels fit tighter and remove the play upward, downward, and side-to-side between them, I applied a strip of non- I’ve heard this same comment movement of the barrel occurring when conducting tape the entire length of the many times throughout the years. The a gun is fired (not to be confused with inner barrel. It is important to apply it vast majority of players chalk it up to recoil, which is different). It can cause to the entire length of the inner barrel the need for an upgraded barrel. Let’s projectiles to leave the barrel with an as shown in red. Once this was done, take a moment, step back, and ask inconsistent flight path from shot-to- I placed the inner barrel back into the why accuracy rates differ between air- shot. This is why we see free floating outer barrel in the same position as be- soft guns from the same manufacturer. and heavy barrels on sniper weapons fore and measured the difference. The Furthermore, why do some manufac- and many other modern firearms. The movement was now less than 1/32 of turers have better accuracy rates than addition of the free floating or heavy an inch in all directions, which means others? barrel reduces the harmonics which in the barrels are now almost 50% tighter turn enables projectiles to be far more than before. Barrel Harmonics: First, one must understand consistent in their flight path from shot- The simple technique to help your stock-barreled airsoft gun perform at its best that airsoft and accuracy are not two to-shot. Then I reassembled the gun, words that go hand in hand, just like making sure to torque the barrel nut to musket and accuracy do not. An airsoft Airsoft guns, by their nature, a minimum of 40 lbs. The gun was then gun has more in common with the mus- have horrid barrel harmonics. This is test fired as before from a bench rest ket of old than it does with a modern caused by many factors, not least of at 25 yards, using ammunition from the rifle; don’t let its looks fool you. Like which is very poor outer-to-inner bar- same batch of .28g TSD BBs. The fps the musket, airsoft guns are smooth rel fit on most models. The following is was also rechecked and showed an bore, which means they have no rifling an easy, cost-effective way to reduce average fps of 387. There has been a to impart a spin to the projectile. Like harmonics caused by the movement marked improvement in the shot group- a musket ball, airsoft BBs fly an erratic between the outer and inner barrel due ings. path through the air. Musket balls were to poor fit. made heavier and larger in size in an By using a simple technique on effort to gain accuracy and range. Like- The test gun I’m using is a G&P a stock inner barrel, I was able to save wise, there has been an increase in BB M4 with a one piece outer barrel and money and improve the grouping of the weights and sizes to gain accuracy and stock inner barrel. The gun has been test gun. Does this mean it will work on range. in service for two years as a loaner and every gun? No, but if done correctly, it has a good track record for reliability. will help many airsoft guns with stock Therefore, knowing the airsoft inner barrels perform at their best. gun has the basics in common with the I started off by shooting a con- musket, how do we make it perform trol target with no modifications to the *Note: The author recommends the more like a modern rifle? And how do gun. The target was set at 25 yards use of .28g BBs in airsoft guns with an we do this without spending handfuls and I shot from a bench rest using TSD fps of around 400 when chronographed of money on fancy barrels with names .28g BBs at an average fps of 386. As with a baseline .20g BB to see the best like Crazy Bull, God of Fire, or Deep you can see in photo #1, the gun shot results from this technique. The test Burning? There are two simple things a decent grouping as I expected from gun used in this article has an average we must consider. First, we must con- a stock barrel. But can it do better with fps of 410 with .20g BBs. sider what’s known in the real world of the stock barrel? Article & Photos TECH CORNER by John Mirarchi 40 he other day I was at a local airsoft firearms as barrel harmonics or barrel I removed the upper receiver Tevent where I overheard two play- vibration. The second consideration is and disassembled the outer and inner ers discussing their new airsoft guns. projectile-to-barrel fit, which we will fur- barrels. Next, I placed the two barrels One of the players was upset because ther discuss in the next issue of Tactical about 90% back together and mea- his new gun was not as accurate as his Airsoft Milsim Magazine. sured the movement side-to-side and friend’s, even though they were from up-and-down. The movement mea- the same manufacturer, were shooting What is barrel harmonics/ sured approximately 1/16 of an inch the same BBs, and had similar FPS rat- vibration? In the simplest of terms, in all directions. Now to make the two ings. harmonics/vibration is a very slight barrels fit tighter and remove the play upward, downward, and side-to-side between them, I applied a strip of non- I’ve heard this same comment movement of the barrel occurring when conducting tape the entire length of the many times throughout the years. The a gun is fired (not to be confused with inner barrel. It is important to apply it vast majority of players chalk it up to recoil, which is different). It can cause to the entire length of the inner barrel the need for an upgraded barrel. Let’s projectiles to leave the barrel with an as shown in red. Once this was done, take a moment, step back, and ask inconsistent flight path from shot-to- I placed the inner barrel back into the why accuracy rates differ between air- shot. This is why we see free floating outer barrel in the same position as be- soft guns from the same manufacturer. and heavy barrels on sniper weapons fore and measured the difference. The Furthermore, why do some manufac- and many other modern firearms. The movement was now less than 1/32 of turers have better accuracy rates than addition of the free floating or heavy an inch in all directions, which means others? barrel reduces the harmonics which in the barrels are now almost 50% tighter turn enables projectiles to be far more than before. Barrel Harmonics: First, one must understand consistent in their flight path from shot- The simple technique to help your stock-barreled airsoft gun perform at its best that airsoft and accuracy are not two to-shot. Then I reassembled the gun, words that go hand in hand, just like making sure to torque the barrel nut to musket and accuracy do not. An airsoft Airsoft guns, by their nature, a minimum of 40 lbs. The gun was then gun has more in common with the mus- have horrid barrel harmonics. This is test fired as before from a bench rest ket of old than it does with a modern caused by many factors, not least of at 25 yards, using ammunition from the rifle; don’t let its looks fool you. Like which is very poor outer-to-inner bar- same batch of .28g TSD BBs. The fps the musket, airsoft guns are smooth rel fit on most models. The following is was also rechecked and showed an bore, which means they have no rifling an easy, cost-effective way to reduce average fps of 387. There has been a to impart a spin to the projectile. Like harmonics caused by the movement marked improvement in the shot group- a musket ball, airsoft BBs fly an erratic between the outer and inner barrel due ings. path through the air. Musket balls were to poor fit. made heavier and larger in size in an By using a simple technique on effort to gain accuracy and range. Like- The test gun I’m using is a G&P a stock inner barrel, I was able to save wise, there has been an increase in BB M4 with a one piece outer barrel and money and improve the grouping of the weights and sizes to gain accuracy and stock inner barrel. The gun has been test gun. Does this mean it will work on range. in service for two years as a loaner and every gun? No, but if done correctly, it has a good track record for reliability. will help many airsoft guns with stock Therefore, knowing the airsoft inner barrels perform at their best. gun has the basics in common with the I started off by shooting a con- musket, how do we make it perform trol target with no modifications to the *Note: The author recommends the more like a modern rifle? And how do gun. The target was set at 25 yards use of .28g BBs in airsoft guns with an we do this without spending handfuls and I shot from a bench rest using TSD fps of around 400 when chronographed of money on fancy barrels with names .28g BBs at an average fps of 386. As with a baseline .20g BB to see the best like Crazy Bull, God of Fire, or Deep you can see in photo #1, the gun shot results from this technique. The test Burning? There are two simple things a decent grouping as I expected from gun used in this article has an average we must consider. First, we must con- a stock barrel. But can it do better with fps of 410 with .20g BBs. sider what’s known in the real world of the stock barrel? Article & Photos TECH CORNER by John Mirarchi 41 727 Counter Terror Training Unit: The Tubular Assault Course

By Paul Pawela

ur congressional representatives can Airlines Flight 11—the planes that Counter Terror Training Unit at Colum- Oand senators, who no longer want to crashed into the World Trade Center. bus State Community College began in support the war on terrorism, have pub- June 2006, with the arrival of a Boeing licly announced that there is no way the What about American Flight 77 727-100, which was donated to the col- United States can win this current war. that crashed into the Pentagon? What lege by FedEx, through the support of of Flight 93, whose heroic passengers the College Development Foundation. Fortunately, the brave men and tried to retake the aircraft from the ter- women in the Armed Forces, as well rorists? That flight crashed in Somer- The unit’s founders had done as our elite law enforcement officers, set County, Pennsylvania, instead of initial planning for the group over the do not share the same opinions as our Washington D.C. or New York. Those previous two years. Professor Jeffrey elected officials. Those brave warriors brave civilians saved countless lives Gruber (Columbus State Community fight our enemies every day. while they sacrificed their own. College Aviation Maintenance Pro- gram), Professor Scot Wagner (Police Our dedicated warriors don’t 2,973 Americans lost their lives Academy Commander at Columbus know the words can’t, surrender, quit that day. The brave men and women State Community College in the Jus- or retreat. They know the threat is real who heroically serve in the military tice and Safety Department), Develop- and what is at stake. That is why they and law enforcement have not forgot- ment Foundation Director Matt Kelly, are prepared, mentally and physically, ten. We have not had an attack on our Columbus Police Department SWAT to win at all costs. soil since that day. Many terrorist plots Team Sergeant John Groom and Co- have been thwarted, thanks to the dedi- lumbus Police Department Officer Tim Apparently, our politicians cated professionals who keep us safe. Halbakken were among those who cre- have completely forgotten what hap- ated the training unit. pened on September 11, 2001—when One group of law enforcement 19 terrorists affiliated with Osama bin officers has vowed to do everything After the plane’s arrival, a Laden and al-Qaeda declared a fatwa on possible to prevent other American training team was recruited. Sponsors the United States. They have forgotten aircraft from being hijacked. The 727- and supporting agencies were contact- United Airlines Flight 175 and Ameri- ed. The Ohio Highway Patrol was the 43 applies if a plane is hijacked and an Everyone in that first class learned of was pushed back. The GIGN operators HRT team cannot get there on time. Egypt’s Force 777 disaster of Novem- successfully entered the aircraft. After ber 1985. The unit tried to do an explo- a gun, the four terrorists were killed. Philosophy sive entry. Almost 20 hostages died in Thirteen passengers, three crewmem- the blast. The assault team then threw bers, and nine GIGN operators were Richard Marcinko, founder of in smoke grenades. This obscured their injured. the Navy’s elite counter terrorist units natural vision and created pandemoni- SEAL Team 6 and Red Cell, once said um. Force 777 snipers killed additional Weapons systems: that any project requires five logical hostages who were attempting to flee stages in order to succeed. These stag- from the aircraft. Fifty-seven hostages Other classes held that day es are planning, training, operations, were killed that day. This mission has included command and negotiation maintenance and, in his words, “build- become a textbook case of what not to methodologies, sniper considerations, ing on what you achieved.” do. Islamic culture, bus assault overview, In contrast, in December, 1994, four Is- passenger train overview, defensive Scott Wagner obviously heeded lamic terrorists hijacked an Air France. tactics and entry and assault practice of Marcinko’s words. He and his staff put The highly trained French counter ter- large and small aircraft. together a flawless first course. Over rorist unit, GIGN, received authoriza- 20 seasoned law enforcement officers tion to assault the aircraft. Other classes examined the from around the country came to the equipment used by the assaulters. First first 727 Counter Terror Training Unit GIGN’s assault force consisted up was an M-16 clinic class. The M-4 of 40 men. Fifteen members stormed Advanced Tubular Assault Course. has clearly taken over the market for and was surprised as its almost total the aircraft by using a mobile stairway rifles in the world available for their first law enforcement agency to sign This course comprised taking back air- operators performing CQB missions lack of recoil. The Viper has no muzzle positioned by the right front door of students to test fire. on with an official agreement. They craft, busses, and trains. from the MP 5. The M-4’s add on ac- flip. This is important when shooting in the plane. GIGN snipers spotted all ter- cessories make the weapon bulky and provide instructors and equipment to a tube. These LOSOK rifles are cus- conduct the Advanced Tubular Assault History rorists in the cockpit. An attempt was unwieldy. made to throw a flash bang through the tom-built by Mark Lammer. LOSOK Class. The M-4 is the weapon of offers top-quality Mauser-based cus- window. It bounced off an exploded in M-16 sought to correct those The students of the 727 CTTU choice for “long cover” in a CQB sit- tom rifles at very affordable prices. the runway. issues. All M-16 Viper upper receivers Law enforcement officials in course received an informative briefing uation—especially those aircraft, trains Mark guarantees accuracy to shoot one Columbus, Ohio have aided the unit. on the history of hijackings and aircraft have a Lother-Walter Premium Match or buses. Naturally, M-4s were also The terrorists then threw a gre- inch groups out to 100 yards. Lammer The police SWAT team commander assault by an anonymous Federal agent stainless barrel. The M-16 Viper has an studied in the class. A variety of M-4s nade at the GIGN team. The assault lives by the motto “one shot, one kill”— provides them with equipment, lo- with a personal history of hijack pre- eight-inch premium bull barrel which included models from Colt, Bushmas- force tried to make entry. The mobile hence his company name of LOSOK. gistics, and additional support where vention. offers 43% more mass than off the ters and DPMS. All performed flaw- stairway separated from the breacher— shelf 7.5 pistol barrels. They also have needed. The Fire Department’s bomb The mission to take back any hijacked lessly, with no recorded malfunctions Also represented were sniper and the rest of the assault team—after it an increased bore life and can sustain squad lends their expertise in explo- vehicle is deadly serious. Like any oth- on the range. rifles manufactured by G.A. Precisions. full auto fire. sives. The Buckeye Sheriff’s Associa- er such mission, it can fail or succeed. They have been building rifles around tion provides marketing and support M-4 accessories demonstrat- the Remington 700 BDL for years. The M-16 clinic also makes throughout Ohio—and beyond. ed in class ranged from optics by EO G.A. Precision barrels are among the uppers that are 10.35 inches in length, Techs and Aim Points to Surefire and finest custom-made models in the busi- and accurate to 400 yards. Their 14.65 Is such a unit necessary—or Pentagon mount light systems. All are ness, which includes Mike Rock, Sch- barrel is accurate to 500 yards. even legal? The jurisdiction to retake valuable and useful accessories for the neider and Broughton. G.A.’s bolt guns an American aircraft from a hijacker is M-4. are designed for ½ MOA accuracy. the responsibility of the FBI and their Since there is no documented law enforcement rifle shot longer than HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) unit. The sniper’s role is critical in Accuracy International’s rifles 185 yards, the M-16 Vipers are a boon a hostage rescue mission. The sniper were onsite to test fire. Many law en- to anti-terrorist units. They are in heavy Even the FBI cannot be in sev- must gather information and relay it to forcement officers consider their prod- use by elite federal law enforcement eral places at the same time. This is the command post. He provides over- ucts the Rolls Royce of sniper rifles. and military special operations units in especially true when dealing with mul- watch, initiates the assault and provides They are billed as the world’s most ef- fighting the war on terror. tiple hijackings—as was the case on cover after the assault takes place. fective sniper rifles. They incorporate 9/11. performance features used in Olympic The M-16 Viper successfully Law enforcement received The sniper rifle is one of the and International target shooting, but shoots 55 to 77 grain FMG, Ball, Soft heavy criticism after the shooting at most important tools in the hostage res- honed to a military platform for opera- Point, TAP, Hollow Point and Frangi- Columbine. Officers on the scene wait- cue arsenal. 727 CTTU spared no ex- tional work. ed for SWAT to arrive, instead of be- ble ammo. I fired one of these weapons, pense to have some of the best sniper coming active shooters. The same logic

44 applies if a plane is hijacked and an Everyone in that first class learned of was pushed back. The GIGN operators HRT team cannot get there on time. Egypt’s Force 777 disaster of Novem- successfully entered the aircraft. After ber 1985. The unit tried to do an explo- a gun, the four terrorists were killed. Philosophy sive entry. Almost 20 hostages died in Thirteen passengers, three crewmem- the blast. The assault team then threw bers, and nine GIGN operators were Richard Marcinko, founder of in smoke grenades. This obscured their injured. the Navy’s elite counter terrorist units natural vision and created pandemoni- SEAL Team 6 and Red Cell, once said um. Force 777 snipers killed additional Weapons systems: that any project requires five logical hostages who were attempting to flee stages in order to succeed. These stag- from the aircraft. Fifty-seven hostages Other classes held that day es are planning, training, operations, were killed that day. This mission has included command and negotiation maintenance and, in his words, “build- become a textbook case of what not to methodologies, sniper considerations, ing on what you achieved.” do. Islamic culture, bus assault overview, In contrast, in December, 1994, four Is- passenger train overview, defensive Scott Wagner obviously heeded lamic terrorists hijacked an Air France. tactics and entry and assault practice of Marcinko’s words. He and his staff put The highly trained French counter ter- large and small aircraft. together a flawless first course. Over rorist unit, GIGN, received authoriza- 20 seasoned law enforcement officers tion to assault the aircraft. Other classes examined the from around the country came to the equipment used by the assaulters. First first 727 Counter Terror Training Unit GIGN’s assault force consisted up was an M-16 clinic class. The M-4 of 40 men. Fifteen members stormed Advanced Tubular Assault Course. has clearly taken over the market for and was surprised as its almost total the aircraft by using a mobile stairway rifles in the world available for their first law enforcement agency to sign This course comprised taking back air- operators performing CQB missions lack of recoil. The Viper has no muzzle positioned by the right front door of students to test fire. on with an official agreement. They craft, busses, and trains. from the MP 5. The M-4’s add on ac- flip. This is important when shooting in the plane. GIGN snipers spotted all ter- cessories make the weapon bulky and provide instructors and equipment to a tube. These LOSOK rifles are cus- conduct the Advanced Tubular Assault History rorists in the cockpit. An attempt was unwieldy. made to throw a flash bang through the tom-built by Mark Lammer. LOSOK Class. The M-4 is the weapon of offers top-quality Mauser-based cus- window. It bounced off an exploded in M-16 sought to correct those The students of the 727 CTTU choice for “long cover” in a CQB sit- tom rifles at very affordable prices. the runway. issues. All M-16 Viper upper receivers Law enforcement officials in course received an informative briefing uation—especially those aircraft, trains Mark guarantees accuracy to shoot one Columbus, Ohio have aided the unit. on the history of hijackings and aircraft have a Lother-Walter Premium Match or buses. Naturally, M-4s were also The terrorists then threw a gre- inch groups out to 100 yards. Lammer The police SWAT team commander assault by an anonymous Federal agent stainless barrel. The M-16 Viper has an studied in the class. A variety of M-4s nade at the GIGN team. The assault lives by the motto “one shot, one kill”— provides them with equipment, lo- with a personal history of hijack pre- eight-inch premium bull barrel which included models from Colt, Bushmas- force tried to make entry. The mobile hence his company name of LOSOK. gistics, and additional support where vention. offers 43% more mass than off the ters and DPMS. All performed flaw- stairway separated from the breacher— shelf 7.5 pistol barrels. They also have needed. The Fire Department’s bomb The mission to take back any hijacked lessly, with no recorded malfunctions Also represented were sniper and the rest of the assault team—after it an increased bore life and can sustain squad lends their expertise in explo- vehicle is deadly serious. Like any oth- on the range. rifles manufactured by G.A. Precisions. full auto fire. sives. The Buckeye Sheriff’s Associa- er such mission, it can fail or succeed. They have been building rifles around tion provides marketing and support M-4 accessories demonstrat- the Remington 700 BDL for years. The M-16 clinic also makes throughout Ohio—and beyond. ed in class ranged from optics by EO G.A. Precision barrels are among the uppers that are 10.35 inches in length, Techs and Aim Points to Surefire and finest custom-made models in the busi- and accurate to 400 yards. Their 14.65 Is such a unit necessary—or Pentagon mount light systems. All are ness, which includes Mike Rock, Sch- barrel is accurate to 500 yards. even legal? The jurisdiction to retake valuable and useful accessories for the neider and Broughton. G.A.’s bolt guns an American aircraft from a hijacker is M-4. are designed for ½ MOA accuracy. the responsibility of the FBI and their Since there is no documented law enforcement rifle shot longer than HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) unit. The sniper’s role is critical in Accuracy International’s rifles 185 yards, the M-16 Vipers are a boon a hostage rescue mission. The sniper were onsite to test fire. Many law en- to anti-terrorist units. They are in heavy Even the FBI cannot be in sev- must gather information and relay it to forcement officers consider their prod- use by elite federal law enforcement eral places at the same time. This is the command post. He provides over- ucts the Rolls Royce of sniper rifles. and military special operations units in especially true when dealing with mul- watch, initiates the assault and provides They are billed as the world’s most ef- fighting the war on terror. tiple hijackings—as was the case on cover after the assault takes place. fective sniper rifles. They incorporate 9/11. performance features used in Olympic The M-16 Viper successfully Law enforcement received The sniper rifle is one of the and International target shooting, but shoots 55 to 77 grain FMG, Ball, Soft heavy criticism after the shooting at most important tools in the hostage res- honed to a military platform for opera- Point, TAP, Hollow Point and Frangi- Columbine. Officers on the scene wait- cue arsenal. 727 CTTU spared no ex- tional work. ed for SWAT to arrive, instead of be- ble ammo. I fired one of these weapons, pense to have some of the best sniper coming active shooters. The same logic

45 Equipment ers states: thal. The use of MilSims helps keep ac- cidents from becoming fatal. Most operators present had ei- “SWAT officers and range per- ther Streamlight or Surefire flashlights sonal are even more prone to acciden- Summary: For more information, visit these mounted to the rail of their pistols. tal discharges because of the frequency websites: Some of the operators had Crimson that results from their weapons han- The training course of the 727 www.cscc.edu/cttu Trace Lasers on their guns. One of the dling, training and operational require- Counter Terror Training Unit is www.m16clinic.com top shooters in the class had the XS ments.” one of the best classes I have attended. www.gaprecision sight system mounted to his Glock. Is there truly a need for this type of The 727 CTTU consists of tac- training? www.losokcutomarms.com As an old salt who has lived tical team members and trainers. Safety www.accuracyinternational.com and died by the Wilson 1911, I was comes first to them. All members are Today, as I finished this article, www.barrettrifles.com thrilled to see a 1911 in the hands of aware of the benefits of using MilSims the Associated Press reported that Is- www.glock.com one of the CTTU instructors. gear. A variety of MilSims gear (Air- lamic extremists with al-Qaida ideolo- www.blackhawk.com Soft Arms, AirSoft Smith and System A gy were thwarted and arrested in Saudi www.511tactical.com The tactical gear was plentiful. Engineering) was featured at the class. Arabia. Point Blank, Eagle, Tag, BlackHawk and 5.11 were well represented. The force-on-force training Never forget 9/11. The military was intense, realistic and—most im- and law enforcement will not. They Use of MilSims: portantly—safe. Mistakes in simulated proudly stand at the ready to protect training need to be painful but not le- and defend you and your families. Having top-quality equipment is great. If operators do not train enough with this equipment, the result can be disastrous. In order to succeed, the rescue assault must use realistic scenarios. 727 CTTU had the bases covered with plane, train and bus scenarios.

Force-on-force is also important. Although many consider the use of real ammunition a must in force- on-force, that school of thought is now challenged. The standard round for counter Its maker, Ronnie Barrett, sniper work is generally .308 caliber. donated this .50 caliber model to the What do elite CT Units like Many different types of ammo were class. It was the gun everyone wanted The British SAS, The US Navy SEAL there to test. Students had a chance to to shoot—myself included. No one in Team Six and the FBI HRT have in fire their favorite rifle at panes of air- the class passed up this rare opportu- common? Each are highly trained CT craft window glass provided by 727 nity. teams. Yet they have all had causalities CTTU. in live fire training exercises as well. Optics for the sniper guns var- To my surprise, all .308 rounds ied from Leupold, Schmidt and Bender The National Tactical Offi- penetrated the aircraft glass. Due to the to US Optics. cers Association, the governing body glass’ thickness, I thought we might for national, state and local SRT and experience some bullet deflection, a la The real down-and-dirty work SWAT teams, has documented over 30 Good Guys incident. of CQB belongs to the handgun. It can cases of tactical officers being shot and make or break a successful mission. killed using real guns with real ammo However, a shooter needs The class had a variety of handguns: in tactical training. a “plan B” for longer shots through SIG 220 in.45 caliber, Berettas, and one heavier materials. The finest weapon CZ 75. Most of the class used Glocks in In his article, “Why Are We for this task is the .50 caliber Barrett various calibers. The Glock’s standard Killing Ourselves: A look at accidental Model M82A1. trigger pull made it a strong favorite for shootings of police officers by police these shooters. officers,” police officer Stuart A. Mey-

46 Equipment ers states: thal. The use of MilSims helps keep ac- cidents from becoming fatal. Most operators present had ei- “SWAT officers and range per- ther Streamlight or Surefire flashlights sonal are even more prone to acciden- Summary: For more information, visit these mounted to the rail of their pistols. tal discharges because of the frequency websites: Some of the operators had Crimson that results from their weapons han- The training course of the 727 www.cscc.edu/cttu Trace Lasers on their guns. One of the dling, training and operational require- Counter Terror Training Unit is www.m16clinic.com top shooters in the class had the XS ments.” one of the best classes I have attended. www.gaprecision sight system mounted to his Glock. Is there truly a need for this type of The 727 CTTU consists of tac- training? www.losokcutomarms.com As an old salt who has lived tical team members and trainers. Safety www.accuracyinternational.com and died by the Wilson 1911, I was comes first to them. All members are Today, as I finished this article, www.barrettrifles.com thrilled to see a 1911 in the hands of aware of the benefits of using MilSims the Associated Press reported that Is- www.glock.com one of the CTTU instructors. gear. A variety of MilSims gear (Air- lamic extremists with al-Qaida ideolo- www.blackhawk.com Soft Arms, AirSoft Smith and System A gy were thwarted and arrested in Saudi www.511tactical.com The tactical gear was plentiful. Engineering) was featured at the class. Arabia. Point Blank, Eagle, Tag, BlackHawk and 5.11 were well represented. The force-on-force training Never forget 9/11. The military was intense, realistic and—most im- and law enforcement will not. They Use of MilSims: portantly—safe. Mistakes in simulated proudly stand at the ready to protect training need to be painful but not le- and defend you and your families. Having top-quality equipment is great. If operators do not train enough with this equipment, the result can be disastrous. In order to succeed, the rescue assault must use realistic scenarios. 727 CTTU had the bases covered with plane, train and bus scenarios.

47 feel realistic enough for even the most ghk’s hardcore enthusiasts. FEATURES:

The AKS-74UN uses the newly developed internal RA-Tech blowback AKS-74UN system. This is, basically, a drop-in kit by Gary bousch for the Boyi/Kalash series of AK airsoft guns. The bolt assembly, guide rod, and spring are all made of sturdy met- he gun comes in a plain brown card- allows it to be fully compatible with al. They have a nice, fluid movement. board box, with a GHK logo sticker similar AEG AK internals, if the user so T While this replica doesn't recoil as far on the lid. Inside, a folded cardboard chooses. These future replacement/ backwards as the real thing, its action cutout "tray" houses the gun, speed upgrade parts include the hop-up unit, is crisp and responsive—when it de- loader, magazine, and user manual. barrel, wood furniture, etc. cides to work.

Our packing insert arrived Because it has no motor, it uses INTERNALS: ripped. Thus, the AK was loose in the a piston grip interchangeable with that box. While I saw no major damage to of the real firearm version. I believe it Remember those problems the gun, it certainly should have been was a wise choice to use a preexisting that I mentioned in the first part of this better supported for transport. (To be shell, as there was no point to "reinvent review? This is the part where they re- fair, I have seen other packaging styles the wheel" with this release. The model turn to tarnish the overall impression of for this exact same GHK model, so the offers many possibilities to customize what could have been an outstanding manufacturer might already have ad- its look, due to the many compatible gas replica, but instead turns out to be dressed this issue.) variations already on the market. a bit of a hassle for the price. Please understand that I can only review the The user manual included cov- This gun weighs slightly over products sent to us as-is, with little to no ers the basic operation of the weapon, six pounds. It has a nice, solid feel to knowledge of other reviews at the time and is full of helpful visual material. its construction. The side-folding stock of publication. As with any review from locks into both open and closed posi- any source, my scope as a reviewer is ACCESSORIES: tions firmly, just like its AEG counter- limited to the one product at hand, and part. The real wood furniture on our test might not reflect upon the product line This is a bare-bones gas gun. gun was smooth and blemish-free. as a whole. With that being said, let's It has no real accessories to mention, get on to the bashing. other than the magazine loader. The metal receiver has a con-

sistent deep black finish like other Boyi When this gun did shoot, it APPEARANCE: AKs I've encountered. The magazine seemed to perform well, with a loud holds 50 rounds. Though housed in muzzle report and satisfying recoil This is GHK Airsoft’s first rep- a plastic shell, it’s very heavy. It feels action. This good impression proved lica. I was pleased with the overall first much like a real AK magazine fully short-lived. impression of the AKS-74UN. Its full- loaded with 5.45 x 39 ammunition. Car- metal body is based on the tried and rying this AKS-74UN and extra maga- Soon after I loaded the maga- tested Boyi/Kalash AKS74S body. This zines in military simulation will definitely zine and switched the selector lever

48 49 from "safety" to "full auto," a major per- ed the ring properly, I finished out the STATS: formance issue reared its ugly head. magazine, but the solution was short- The selector lever was so loose that it lived. The same problem occurred very Gas Blowback Semi/Full Auto/ refused to stay in position, Thus, I could quickly after the second magazine. Safe Firing modes Length (Open): not fire the AK. While it wasn't difficult 735mm Length (Closed): 498mm Full to tighten the switch, it gave me a bad I fixed the issue again, and Metal Body Real Wood Furniture Metal impression. With less than 10 rounds fired four more magazines without inci- Bolt Carrier Gas Magazine (50 Rounds) fired thus far, the AKS-74UN needed a dent. The gun’s “o” ring appears to be Weight 3kg Power: 350fps (gas depen- significant repair. an extremely fallible part. It is attached dant) Adjustable Hop Up Realistic Field flimsily. Stripping I emptied the rest of the mag- I removed the “o” ring and it azine on semi-auto, and then chro- fired without issue. It appears that the FPS READINGS: nographed the results, which appear “o” ring provides a cushion between the 1 .20 - 385 below. I now felt more confident with hop-up and the bolt, but it does not ap- 2 .20 - 368 the design. I refilled the magazine with pear to be an effective method. 3 .20 - 376 more .20g bbs and topped off the gas, 4 .20 - 389 and prepared to unleash a full-auto OVERALL IMPRESSION: 5 .20 - 385 burst into the target. 6 .20 - 385 GHK Airsoft is a newcomer to 7 .20 - 389 CLACK-CLACK-CLACK-CLACK- manufacturing. I think they have a very 8 .20 - 381 CLACK-STOP. cool product. Based on this sample, I don't see them as quite-ready-for- AVERAGE FPS I racked the bolt... NOTHING. prime-time. = 385.25

The problem seemed to be I feel the price is a bit steep. RATE OF FIRE (Rounds Per Second) internal. I removed the receiver cover, Had I purchased this new, I would have = 14.3 recoil spring, rubber buffer, and, finally, been severely disappointed with its the bolt carrier assembly. I soon found overall performance. I sincerely hope Average Price: the problem. this piece was a lemon, and that others $320.00 fare better. The "o" ring on the piston had slipped off and jammed the cylinder, The shots I did fire had the ceasing the ability to fire. After I seat- most impressive recoil and "shake" of any gas long gun I've shot so far!

It’s truly a fun gun to shoot. Its design is very promising. With a little polish, and a greater attention to detail, this model could be exceptional.

This rifle was provided by our friends at Spartan Imports. Visit their website at www.spartanimports.com and find a retailer near you.

50 Bin Laden:

Still the Prize By Dalton Fury

Dalton Fury, a pseudonym, retired from the US Army after twenty years of service. Fifteen of those years were spent with some of the finest Special Operations Forces in existence. He is the author of the NewYork Time bestseller KILL BIN LADEN: A Delta Force Commander’s Account of the Hunt for the World’s Most Wanted Man (St. Martin’s Press, 2008) 51 early a year has passed since This will be the second batch stani government for their weak-kneed Ngray-headed George W. Bush of troops Obama has ordered to Af- efforts to curtail the strikes, many Mus- boarded a Marine helicopter for his fi- ghanistan in under a year as the now lims wonder whether or not they misun- nal departure from the White House forgotten troops in Iraq do their best to derstood Obama’s campaign trail rhet- lawn. He must have felt tremendous re- maintain a delicate balancing act with oric. Regardless of Obama’s January lief. Besides the waving departure par- fewer troops and resources. With the 2009 comments to CBS anchorwoman ty, which included the new President, most recent decision to send 30,000 Katie Couric that capturing or killing Barack Hussein Obama, and the First additional US troops to Afghanistan, bin Laden wasn’t that important, in this Lady, Bush left behind numerous unre- the push to focus the war on securing case it is obvious that actions speak solved issues and unfinished business. the Afghan population and accelerating louder than words. General McChrystal Issues so important that they practically the increase in Afghan National Secu- certainly thinks so. assured a Democrat would assume the rity Forces has taken center stage. highest office in the nation. Just a few days after Obama It is clear now that Obama plans left the grounds of the general’s alma From day one, President to use his own playbook to manage the mater, McChrystal testified in front of Obama had little choice but to spread war. But it is debatable whether or not the Senate Armed Services Commit- his attention around. From the weak- this will work as there is zero prece- tee and told the world, “I believe he [bin ened economy, to inadequate health dence of outsider success in Afghani- Laden] is an iconic figure at this point care, to the precarious success in Iraq, stan. Just ask the British. Or ask some- whose survival emboldens al-Qaida he came in knowing he had his hands one in Moscow. If you’ve spent time in as a franchise organization across the full. One nagging issue back then that those lawless and unforgiving lands, it world.” And very McChrystal-like he fin- has become a severe hind end wound is no surprise why nobody is looking for ished his comments with, “I don’t think presently is the on-going war against al cheap real estate in the area. we can defeat him until he is captured Qaeda and the volatile situation along or killed.” the Afghanistan and Pakistan border. So far though, Obama appears to have retained Bush’s playbook for Considering these comments, By the time George Bush left military action inside the ungoverned it should be no surprise that Obama office, America’s game plan to eliminate areas of western Pakistan, where just didn’t tell America that we will WIN in Usama Bin Laden had become clumsy, about everyone surmises the likes of Afghanistan. If we don’t kill or capture flatfooted, and begged for strategic in- bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and bin Laden before we bring everyone novation. President Obama knew right ghost-like Taliban leader Mullah Mo- home, the only folks using the “W” away that he needed fresh ideas and hammed Omar remain hidden. word will be al-Qaeda. We have been that the situation required his focused at this for eight years; to help solve the attention. Obama’s recent decision, first Within a week of Bush’s histori- problem with bin Laden in the next 18 spoken in front of scores of West Point cal departure, several kinetic air strikes months, we need some fresh ideas. cadets on December 1, 2009 to send from high-flying unarmed drones elimi- another 30,000 troops to General Mc- nated a half dozen or so Islamic ex- Well before the recent pop- Chrystal’s foreign legion has silenced tremists—and, according to the local ulation-centric Obama strategy was his conservative critics somewhat. The people in the area, also killed numer- announced, the administration truly Obama administration has certainly ous innocent civilians. Most recently, sought to reframe and focus the pa- displayed the political agility and the in early December 2009, a Hellfire mis- rameters of the war on al Qaeda alone. backbone of a superpower. sile launched from a Predator took care Rest assured this playbook hasn’t been of another senior al-Qaeda operations closed completely, just pushed a little Unfortunately, a few sentences planner. It was reportedly another one to the darker back pages. And hope- later in the same address, Obama let of those expendable and easy to lo- fully the new playbook focuses on bin our enemies know that we were fast cate—relative to bin Laden and Zawa- Laden’s mind as much as his body. losing the stomach for this fight. If the hiri - al-Qaeda #3s. fact that Obama never mentioned the It is time to attack bin Laden’s word victory, or that he didn’t inspire the These tactics used to be dealt status as the leader of the global ji- Corps of Cadets with words like kill the by Bush, but Obama has raised the had. The US tried the obvious “dead or enemy, take the hill, or even WIN, the bet. Along with the additional troops alive” route, and then shifted to ignor- announcement that American troops for Afghanistan, more Predator drones ing him. Now it is time to strip him of his will be leaving Afghanistan in time to are in the deal for Pakistan. Although credibility in the Muslim world. Just ask vote from home in his reelection bid in drone attacks continue to inflame the the fighters he left behind in Tora Bora 2012 was loud and clear to bin Laden local population, who blame the Paki- about the guy. They’ll tell ya! and the Taliban. 52 The US spent more time, en- lim world that Abu Musab al Zarqawi, President Obama doesn’t ergy, and money on digging up dirt on the dead al Qaeda in Iraq leader, was have much time to turn things around. the Presidential candidates in 2008 and more like the Prophet Muhammad than Already in the first year of Obama’s quickly putting out short psychotronic bin Laden could ever hope to be be- four year term, he faces the same di- video clips than we do on targeting bin cause he walked the walk, led from the lemma as Soviet leader Mikhail Gor- Laden’s character. We need to Youtube front, and inspired fighters from the fox- bachev faced in the late 1980’s. How the world with credibility spiders and in- hole. long do we stay in Afghanistan? How tegrity viruses that stick the bin Laden do we get out? Moreover, the unfin- voodoo doll. We need to drop his head #3. Force bin Laden to prove ished national expectation to eliminate toward the bottom of the Islamic totem he is alive and relevant—promote the bin Laden before we leave now haunts pole. Bin Laden and Zawahiri release idea that the US considers him dead him. It comes with the job description. video and audio tapes that are broad- until he can prove otherwise. Force If Obama doesn’t get it right, he faces cast worldwide. The US should respond him to defend his reputation. Pierce the the possibility of being the first serving in kind. inner chamber of his conscience. Any US President faced with the dubious action bin Laden takes (or any close task of defining victory on two sepa- Obama should communicate associates take), from physically mov- rate battlefields with neither ending in three innovative themes with Presi- ing, to taping an audio or video tape, climactic and obvious victory. If things dential campaign-like effort. America makes him vulnerable and potentially hold in Iraq, then he can thank Bush for should saturate the Internet with pop- targetable. Publicly warn all the peace- the first one. But winning Afghanistan ups and the battlefields with leaflets loving Muslims inside the North West is now President Obama’s alone. There bearing these themes. Frontier Province that the Hellfire mis- is a reason for all the gray hair. Former siles are aimed at bin Laden and his President George W. Bush never said it #1. Bin Laden is a coward and senior lieutenants and harboring them would be easy. a hypocrite—at the Battle of Tora Bora places them at risk as well. he ran away and left his fighters behind to die. He ordered the women and children to arm themselves and do the fighting for him. He consistently coaxes young Muslims, under the promise of martyrdom, to strap on explosive belts or drive vehicle bombs that kill innocent Muslims. Yet bin Laden had a chance to martyr himself at Tora Bora and he chose to run away. Bin Laden is human and has no desire to reach the afterlife sooner than anybody else. Bin Laden does not care about Islam as a whole. It bothers him no more to kill innocent Muslims than it does Westerners.

#2. Publically demote bin Lad- en—reset the High Value Target list and brand bin Laden as al Qaeda HVT #3. This is what happens when the pro- claimed leader remains secluded while his subordinate lieutenants are forced to communicate, lead, and manage the day to day operations of al Qaeda— leadership imperatives that are targetable. Insult bin Laden by publically promoting the current #3 (whoever it is these days) to HVT #1 and place a $50 million dollar reward on his head. Publi- cally remove the $25 million dollar re- Dalton Fury (left) hunting bin Laden in December 2001 ward on bin Laden’s head. Tell the Mus-

53 CHRONICLES OF MAD MAX

Are you ready for the fight?

By MSG (Ret.) “Mad Max” Mullen

his installment of “The Chronicles with an array of automatic weapons and ily armed gunmen with military train- Tof the Mad Max” is dedicated to weapons systems normally found only ing. One of the gunmen, William Russell the brave men and women who make on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Matix, was former Military Police (MP) up our country’s law enforcement agen- Iraq. They have been known to employ with an extensive knowledge in police cies on the federal, state, and local levels. military tactics and show no fear of dy- procedures and protocol. His accom- United States law enforcement, like our ing for their cause by taking the fight plice, Michael Platt, served in the Spe- military, is the best trained, professional, to our brave law enforcement officers. cial Forces (SF) and had a background and equipped law enforcement agency/ The threat comes in many forms: home- in light heavy weapons training, infan- department in the world. At times under- grown terrorists, radical Islamic Jihadists, try tactics, and detailed planning. These appreciated and underfunded; however, Mexican drug cartel hit men, MI13 street men took the lives of two federal agents, regardless of these shortcomings they are thugs, gang bangers, or one of the many Gerald Dove and Benjamin Grogan, and still without a doubt the best at what they wacko separatist groups operating within severely wounded five other agents in a do at keeping our cities and streets safe. our borders. Today’s criminal may come shootout that would have made the gun with a military background, terrorist fight at the OK Corral look like a back- The Federal Bureau of Investiga- training from overseas, or skills honed on yard pickup game of Cowboys and Indi- tion (FBI), Drug Enforcement Adminis- the streets and in the prison system. Let’s ans. In the end, the two gunmen were tration (DEA), U.S. Customs and Border look at a few examples of these threats taken out under a hail of gun fire; how- Protection Agency, and The U.S. Mar- facing our law enforcement. ever, the fact is that these men, with their shals, as well as our local and state law combined knowledge of MP and SF train- enforcement, are facing a well-trained, On April 11, 1986, in Miami, ing, conducted, rehearsed, route selected, sophisticated enemy threat. Today’s Florida, a fierce gun battle was waged used surveillance, and honed their fire criminal is a lot more heavily armed, between eight FBI agents and two heav- and maneuver skills. With these skills,

54 along with superior fire power, they were played out live on national TV. Armed members. When I asked some of the able to inflict a lot of carnage. with an assortment of illegally modified members why they participate in Milsim, Then we have the infamous Jose automatic weapons and wearing body their answer was simple: it helps them Vigoa who is chronicled in the book armor, Phillips and Matasareanu took build team cohesion, it affords the oppor- Storming Las Vegas by John Huddy. on the LAPD and LA SWAT team in a tunity to try new tactics against different CHRONICLES OF Vigoa was Cuban born and came to the botched robbery that ended in a hail of levels of experienced Milsim teams, and United States in the early ‘80s during automatic weapons fire. it enables them to work and refine their the Mariel boat lift. For two years, he Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). went on a violent rampage of high pro- What do all these gunmen have file casino and armored car robberies up in common? They employed automatic Around the Fort Bragg Area, MAD and down the Las Vegas strip before his weapons, and in some cases, possessed there are teams made up of Special Op- crime spree came to an end. This man some military training. In addition, they erations Operators who take MilSim to was a Soviet-trained Russian Spetsnaz conducted detailed planning by rehears- the next level. I have even run across a commando and a veteran of the Angola ing actions on the OBJ prior to execut- team of Marines out of Camp Lejeune MAX and the Soviet-Afghan wars. He put his ing their plans. Which brings me to my that fought with me and really kicked prior Special Operations training to use point: there are a number of tactical train- tail. Then you have Pro MilSim civilian by conducting extensive surveillance, ing schools and live fire weapons training teams like the Regiment, Team Strikers, Are you ready detailed map studies, sketches, and prac- centers that provide excellent training for Green Mountain Rangers, TSOG, Sting- ticed action on the OBJ through numer- our law enforcement agencies. I am a ers, Aces and Eights, and the Hatchet for the fight? ous dry runs. firm believer in training that encompasses Force, which are comprised of a mixture Force-on-Force and scenario-based train- of civilian and prior service members. Along our southern border a full- ing. Milsim (airsoft) training is one of These teams are well-trained and will By MSG (Ret.) “Mad Max” Mullen scale war (oops, my bad, I mean “police many training applications you can use to give any active duty or law enforcement action;” we must be politically correct.) conduct realistic and safe Force-on Force a run for their money in a Force-on-Force is taking place against the Mexican drug training. Along with well-trained role scenario based training exercise. cartel in Texas, Arizona, and Atlanta, players, this can add that “human factor” Georgia. The Mexican drug cartel has and real time feedback that a pop-up tar- Tactical Milsim Magazine is been known to heavily recruit Mexi- get cannot give you. I remember watch- dedicated to bringing you the latest in can Army and Mexican Army Special ing an old Bruce Lee movie in which one cutting edge technologies in MilSim and Forces soldiers to conduct kidnappings, of the opponents Lee was going to fight real steel training. In future issues we are human trafficking, drug smuggling, and was showing off by breaking boards. going to cover the Multiple Integrated assignations within our borders. They Bruce simply stated, “Boards don’t hit Laser Engagement System (MILES) come with their A-game using heavy fire back.” By using Milsim role players, and the Simunition FX Force-on-Force power like the Barrett .50 caliber sniper you will have the capability to engage a System FX marking cartridge projectile rifles, M4/203s, Light Anti-tank Weap- thinking Opposing Force (OPFOR) that which is filled with a detergent-based, ons (LAWs), AK47s, and a host of other will fire and maneuver on you, testing water-soluble colored marking com- fully automatic assault rifles. A major- your skills and making you think on your pound. We will also review SESAMS ity of these weapons are stolen from the feet. (Special Effect Small Arms Marking Mexican Army armories and the pipeline System) which is currently being used by of automatic AK47s from Colombia, I have participated in a number the Marine Corps. With MilSim (airsoft) Nicaragua, Chile, and Cuba keeps them of large scale MilSim events in the past you get a cost-effective training system well equipped. and have had the opportunity to meet that is within the budget of law enforce- and fight against some really hardcore ment departments and can easily adapt all the standard accessories found on real “Tactical Milsim Magazine is dedicated to bringing weapons such as tactical lights, aiming you the latest in cutting edge technologies in MilSim and points, and lasers. I have also seen Mil- real steel training.” Sim (airsoft) weapons with real weapon components and rail systems attached. Last but not least, we have Larry outstanding teams. Now let me explain, Eugene Phillips, Jr. and Emil Matasare- these are not your typical backyard pick- Until next time…this is the Mad anu, who on February 28, 1997, held the up game airsoft teams. Some of these Max, “Roger out!” Rangers Lead the nation spellbound in what became known teams are made of all law enforcement, Way! as the “North Hollywood Shootout” that U.S. Marshalls, DEA, and SWAT team 55 Right Now Your Enemy Is Training!

21st Tactical, LLC. is dedicated to providing a wide range of products to our customers worldwide. We are guided by honor and integrity to serve the customer and provide the most advanced tactical gear and realistic training possible.