Reenactment UKSF adventures

UKSF/22 SAS Current Ops

2011-11-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

Had a blast last Sunday with some friends reenacting current ops by SAS and NSW.
Great game and lots of good photos .
So here it is my representation of a UKSF/SAS trooper during 2010-11 ops in A-stan.

And bonus photos of NSW-DEVGRU reenactor friend:

2001 era - desert ops

2011-09-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

I thought I just do a 2001 anniversary load out .
So here it is :
IRAQ desert ops

kit List
Mk6 kevlar helmet
DDPM body armour
DDPM S2000 shirt
DDPM S2000 pants
DPM PLCE Ops Waistcoat
Standard Nomex Pilot gloves
Bates boots
Diemaco L119A1 (C8SFW) (rep.)
Stanag M16 30 round mags (rep.)
Sig Sauer P226 (rep.)
P226 9mm mags (rep.)
SDU-5

Reference pic:

UKSF (SBS) A-stan 2001 - Mazar-i-sharif

2010-12-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

As the title says , last Sunday I tried my hand in an approximate impression of SBS trooper during the 2001 operations in Afghanistan - Mazar-i-sharif area , based on known photos from the internet.

Reference pic:

2010-10-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we've had some great time playing a "recce" scenario with some good friends. Nothing fancy - minimum shooting/skirmishing , but very fun nevertheless .
As I was feeling like departing from the current ops load-outs , I donned my old school gear and the result was not disappointing at all.
So here we are , a 70's - 80's era SAS impression :

Kit List :

Issued DPM smock and pants
Pattern 44 belt
Pattern 44 water bottle covers
Pattern 58 water bottle cover as E&E pouch
Pattern 58 magazine pouches (for 20 rounders)
120lt OD bergen
Replica CAR-15 carbine

Recent Ops Impression

2010-09-16T01:55:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately there are no recent photos of the "Regiment" operating around the world for the 2009-10 era , but from the small bits of information one can gather from the internet , I decided to try an approximate impression of what I think a trooper would be wearing in current ops.

Pics from last weekend's skirmish :

In the next game I'll try it in Multicam , which I believe will make even more contemporary .

Tales fron the Past - 80's old school load out (tribute to Falklands War heroes)

2010-07-20T01:30:00.000-07:00

I thought I should make an impression about the old school kit used by the SAS during the 70's through 80's till early 90's era and used during the Falklands War.
Most of the kit is not in use today , but it's available in large numbers and various used conditions through the internet for collectors .
So here it is from the last airsoft skirmish :

Kit List:
Smock Combat DPM Pattern 84/85
Trousers Combat DPM Pattern 84/85
Belt Kit/Yoke Pattern 58
Ammo Pouch Pattern 58 modified to gen. purpose X 2 (back)
Water Pouch Pattern 58 X 1 (back)
5.56 double ammo pouches X 2 (for 20 round mags)
Colt Carbine 5.56 rifle (airsoft repro)
Regular Army boots

TF-Black load-out update

2010-05-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday , I've had the opportunity to present the latest version of my SAS TF-Black era impression .
Few things remain to add (a Surefire MC600 , a proper NVG (AN/PVS-21) helmet mount , a new pair of Lowa boots perhaps). The dual comms setup will have to go because it realy isn't that practical in this configuration and the second ptt interferes with the shooting position .

All in all it was a great day and an even better skirmish . Role playing and airsoft mix really good ;)
(Reference pic below)

Afghganistan Theme Skirmish

2010-04-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

Photos from the latest game using a more contemporary light reccon load-out for "Afghanistan Operations".
The game field resembled closely something of Helmand region with dry soil , low dry grass mixing orchards and an old warehouse as a compound .
Well here it is , a bit of Crye , a bit of DDPM , a simple waist coat and a genuine pakol hat (straight from Peshavar market ;) ).

[pre game preparations and a first appearance for the L119A1 replica]

[a relaxed pose before the "operation"]

[In game pic , covering friendly US-SF forces disengaging contact]

[In game pic , providing security for friendly US-SF forces securing the "compound"]

2010-03-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

This the most recent impression on SAS during the IRAQ campaign between 2003 - 2007 based on the well known photos on the "net" like this one (notice the gear diversity !)

and this is my try on replicating the appearance of an SAS "blade" during "hunting" operations in Baghdad against ex Baathists and Al-Qaeda operatives .

Desert Storm

2010-01-31T10:38:00.000-08:00

This is an attempt to make an impression , based on information and the known blurry - black & white photos , about the SAS foot patrols behind enemy lines deep in IRAQ , during Operation Desert Storm.

Unfortunately we don't have deserts here in Greece (yet) and a "wagon" would be handy .

The Lost Patrol

2010-01-26T01:10:00.000-08:00

As the prevailing north wind sweeps the hill tops , the wind chill factor becomes even more severe as the time passes . It's the second day on E&E and the trooper begins to feel the strain and fatigue . Alone , separated from the rest of the patrol , lost . It's time to make a stop and seek shelter from the upcoming storm in a hasty LUP .

Cold War era SAS impression based on late '80s kit as seen on the "SAS survival secrets" BBC TV series

Direct Action

2010-01-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Our first game for 2010 included a night-time direct action operation . We had to scoot in a hurry so it's not the best possible picture quality, but I kinda like it that way !

Mountain Troop

2010-01-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Some pics from our last game under some rather harsh climatic conditions . We've had the opportunity to put in use our winter gear and test some open field tactics and , most importantly , have good fun .

"SAS trooper emerges from the OP after endex "

"SAS trooper and SEAL operator securing positions after successful joint DA against simulated enemy telecommunications node"

Op. Crossing Paths

2009-12-05T03:40:00.000-08:00

Latest airsoft scenario we participated - Operation Crossing Paths - supposed to take place in Afghanistan .

"Hand-out MoD photographs depict SAS , SFOD-D and DEVGRU operartors on the aftermath of operation Crossing Paths in Helmand Province - Central Afghanistan . In a daring secret operation a combined special forces unit including British , US and ANA SF , raided a thought to be abandoned Soviet era bunker in an undisclosed location near Helmand river , capturing a large IED cache storage and a local key Taliban leader. The MoD did not comment about losses though reports indicate that a several hours fierce fire-fight took place during forces insertion and compound clearance procedure."

The nameless ones

2009-11-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

This op was based in 2008 era newspaper reports that SBS/SRR in cooperation with 1st SFOD-D and DEVGRU, had been operating inside the Pakistan border, in recce missions targeting suspected Al-Qaeda & Taliban leadership members.
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article4748833.ece).

In this particular scenario the mission was to cross the borders under the cover of false civilian identities (rumors said that operators used press passes given by MI6 and CIA). Upon reaching the ops area the team (SRR & DEVGRU operators) set up an Observation Point and drew a number of photos of the target .
Once the identity has been verified a "Predetor" UAV called in to strike with Hellfire missiles .
There was very little opposition and the team quickly withdrew after the successful completion of the mission .

Nakar Valley

2009-11-28T06:04:00.000-08:00

This impression is based on actual photos of SBS troopers during a joint SBS/CIA search and destroy mission in the Nakar valley / Afghanistan during 2001, hunting down senior Al Qaeda members.
The scenario took place last July and proved to be a real challenge, as the high temperatures and the difficult terrain can bring, even the toughest soldier to his knees without proper preparation and hydration .

Inspiration :

The never ending story

2009-11-28T05:51:00.000-08:00

Playing just airsoft is a fabulous hobby .
But once enter the realm of mil-sim reenactment with as accurate as possible impressions of existing units (SF especially), simple skirmishing just looses its appeal .

This reenactment is based on the known activities of SAS-SBS troopers from 2001 till today , at the mountains of Afghanistan , or the deserts of IRAQ , or elsewhere ...

Of-course fiction and speculation find their way in our scenarios in order to spice up our game , as a very small portion of the secretive nature missions of the real operators is (and will ever be) known .