Operation Lion Claws IX

Billed (by John Lu) as another "Clash of the Titans," this year's trek to Hesperia and 3-day weekend of airsoft combat feature Colonel Danny McNight (of Blackhawk Down fame) in 3-color desert camo against Sergeant Eversmann (also of Blackhawk Down fame) in woodland camo. This year we didn't have to battle the elements as much as we did the opposing force - The weather was pleasantly cool and breezy during the day (albeit freezing on Friday night). One of my main memories of last year's battle was the heat. Stifling heat.

This year's battle boasted a smaller, more determined combat force of approximately 300 combatants, 2 tanks, and 2 jeeps. Following the usual Friday night camp set up (after a grueling 5-hour drive from Orange County due to the sudden closure of S/R 91), gun chrono, reveille, speeches by Lu, McKnight, et al., we were placed on the battlefield and assigned objectives. Unfortunately, our squad, 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, was not used very effectively through Saturday morning, and we got to watch the 1st and 2nd Squads get completely wiped out in a valley over which he held commanding positions. I suspect our commander forgot about us. In any event, I survived the ensuing massacre, hoofed it with one other survivor about a mile through heavy brush, only to die in an impromptu ambush of another squad of woodland forces. Epic way to go out.

Saturday afternoon was a much better battle for the desert forces and we successfully held off a series of attacks on our base after capturing all 5 key points earlier in the afternoon. Sunday was equally productive. I had the pleasure of spending most of the day guarding a choke point overlooking the key valley, racked up no less than 20 kills and survived the entire day without being killed. First time for me. Then, we packed up and skedaddled.

Already looking forward to Op LC X in 2011.

David Baker
The Airsoft Lawyer