This past weekend marked the first TNVC Night Defender class given to civilians, in Texas.  The event was hosted by Wild River Ranch, in Victoria.  In my estimation as the host, I believe it was a success, but I hope to get feedback from students so as to help improve it for the future.   Most of you reading this already know the purpose of the class and what was taught.  Basically, it is a beginner's NV class, requiring advanced shooting skills.  Students are taught the basic operation of NOD's and both rifle and pistol skills, in complete darkness.  IR lasers and illuminators were employed and most students used PVS-14's on helmets.  There was an obstacle course and classroom instruction, as well.  The event spanned two days and barbecue was served.  The food was awesome.  WRR also provided a guided hog hunt for the TNVC staff, and the FLIR and LDI reps.  Aaron from Wilcox had to leave before the hog hunt, because of family obligations, but I'm guessing he'll be back .  Jonathan Owen from SHWAT (Special Hog Weapons & Tactics) was also in attendance for the hog hunt.

Day 1:

Demo table:



We had devices like the ANVIS-9 Goggles, PVS-22, M24 thermal, T-50 clip-on thermal, LDI SPIR illuminator, and DBAL D2, to demo.  The Reps from FLIR and LDI gave short descriptions of their devices, so students could see some of the gear now available.  We also got to see some much more advanced fusion devices from FLIR, making the class that much more interesting.

Power Point presentations:



On to the range:

First, dinner.  Baby back ribs, potato salad and beans.  BTW, this aint no low––tech hillbilly cook off and Appleseed shoot.  Here's the grill master checking the heat distribution on his smoker pit with the M24 thermal.





Setting up:



Shooting:







Day 2:

We set up in the classroom again and got demos from the reps, then Chip Lasky gave a primer on how to set up the rifle with laser, grips, switches, mounts, etc.:



On to the range again for smoked chicken & sides:




Shooting some more, this time with pistol learning superimposition and night sights, occasionally interspersed with lights on drills, using white light.



And yes, a wounded combat vet shot this class from his wheelchair.  Hats off to you, Paul.



Day three,


The TNVC "family" and staff got together on WRR's 900 yard range and then followed an after hours hog hunt.   The instructors and I went on a pig hunt to test the concept of some future events, blending the skills of night hunting, field craft, vehicle operations, ambushes, and tactical / defensive shooting.  This is the final evolution towards the world's most unique, after-dark hunting, outdoor, and defensive  tactical skills classes, for civilians.  This is just the tip of the iceberg.  Stay tuned for more as we announce the future, enhanced classes.

Shooting on the range:








Putting the training to use on live targets, from a mobile team.  Hunting with guys like this is a privilege, and I appreciate the chance to do it.   They didn't need much "guiding"  





I want to thank the following people for helping make this event possible:

-TNVC

-Cutting Edge Bullets

-SSA

-Wilcox

-FLIR

-Laser Devices, Inc.

-Arrowhead Firearms Training group

-Telluric Group

-SHWAT


GOOD TIMES!!

Cool . Thanks for posting.

Be sure to let me know when you come to St.Augustine, Florida as we will bring all the ribs, hams, and pork you can eat as well as a half-dozen hard-core participants!

Thanks for the pics, the hogs do look cool with their hats on but would have been even better through a PVS-14 NV pic!

Ask and ye shall receive!  



ETA: (photo by Kyle Harth...above NV photos by C Lasky ...daytime photos by Hi-Tech-Rancher)

Lord have Mercy on me, you Texans has got it allright.....

Great post and pics!


P.S. Me and all my friends want a super nice target range like that too!!!!!

Outstanding... I want to do this!!!

Looks like I need to save up to get my own night vision toys so I can play at the next class!!!  It looks like a ton of fun!!!

Could you do a beginners' class of night vision and combine it with a night vision hog hunt?  Thanx!!!

Great question.  Let's just say that something like that is already in the planning stage.  Improvements to my private range are already being made and details are being worked out.  This thread will serve as notice of future events as well.

Thanks for asking

A St. Augustine class would be really cool! Maybe at the FOP range or the other one? Hell we might be able to use the police range right down the road from the FOP range.

I just got a Night Enforcer, Fast Helmet, mounts and I'm waiting on my DBAL D2 to ship, now I need to figure out how to use all this stuff!

I like your thinking.., it will not happen at ATTAC... I already asked..

I am kinda thinking that Florida actually has more hogs and hurricanes than Texas does, it's just that Texas has bigger hogs and hurricanes......

You asked Chck?  We could probably make it happen there but it would have to be in the winter time.  He needs to stop shooting around 2200, unless everyone is suppressed.

Our home base (Telluric Group) is right up the road from you guys in Brunswick.....



Don Edwards
www.telluricgroup.com