Irene 7

[Zorak]

This event got into my head about three minutes after the starting horn blew, and never left it. Held at Zussman Urban Combat Training Center, it featured a stable of "civilian" role-players, civilian and military vehicles, a variety of multi-story buildings, and elaborate pyro effects, which were especially intense during the night game.

This year they decided to do away with points for objectives and simply assigned missions to each team. The team that completed the most missions won that game. The missions ranged from the merely difficult (attack a UN patrol) to the horrificly difficult (control the "Bakara Market" part of the field for the entire game).

I got to meet a lot of cool people, reconnect with Lid, Relish, and Docsugg, and lose a lot of sleep. I also destroyed my right boot, discovered once again that CQB is not a sport for old men, and strained every muscle in my body. I can't wait to do it again.

[Relarz]

Not to mention, the changing of the ENTIRE schedule around a staged Blackhawk crash, in which we over-ran the crash site and captured the pilot. On day 2, several of us freedom fighters disguised as civilians and Militia-men from Ranger-friendly clans even caused dismay and confusion behind their lines. I even got to use a claymore in a straight-up suicide attack. It was an experience and a half, and a HELL of a way to close my streak of Lionclaws events this year.

[Roughneck]

Assholes the both of you!

Glad you had fun.

Pics?

[Zorak]

They'll probably be up on the Lion Claws web site eventually. I didn't take any of my own.

[Relarz]

www.operationirene.com has some pics up from Sunday.

In fact: www.operationirene.com/index.php?iID=326

That's one of me in my civilian clothes walking around with a 226 tucked into my pants and a knife up my sleeve.

[Psychosis]

Damn, John Lu would've let me in if I hadn't had drill this weekend. Hopefully I can make it next year!

[Sugg]

A few shots I took, no real action shots though.

Myself, Lid, and Relish in our Somali fashion statements.


The only remaining member of the Somali navy.


Lid in the freedom fighters staging area...hurry up and wait.


And Rel as an unassuming civilian.


Irene and the Zussmen urban combat training center was the most immersive and visceral experience in airsoft I have ever had. From the civilian role players, the vehicles driving around, to the simply amazing and intense pyrotechnics.

I think Relish put it best when he said "you knew the bucket would be full, but you didn't know it would be overflowing". It was a great time with great people.

[Gestapo]

NICE! Did you actually fight with the lifejacket on!??!!?

[Sugg]

Yes he did Stapo, the jacket was a big hit.

[GrinchBiscuit]

Rel has won the internets. I'm SHOCKED you weren't in any actual pics with that on.

[Jumprefusal]

Ha-freaking-larious Rel. You win huge.

[Sugg]

The camera guy just wasn't taking any pics of us fighting room to room and building to building that's why we didn't have any good pix in that series.

Hopefully more to come later!

[Relarz]

I also ditched my vest for the "final scenario", to become as inconspicuous as possible. Someone else actually rocked one on our team, and he actually had nothing more than an Uzi, a feather duster, and he even had one pant-leg rolled up.

[Zorak]

Oh man, I wish I'd seen the tactical feather duster. That's hard core role play right there.

[Kiki]

GodDAMN I wish I was there. I'm not even half way through the pics on the website and I'm already beating myself up for not signing up (well...more like forgetting about Irene until somebody posted that the sign up was over I have nothing else to say). Seriously, looks like you guys had a great time.