So last night our local SWAT team asked my fire department for non-leo volunteers to play the parts of hostages and perps at the final test for the latest SWAT class. I, of course, volunteered to be a perp.
After waiting a while for the first group of victims senario participants to get done(and getting to get some hands on time with the SWAT team's toys) my turn came up. I got a mask, body armor, a hostage, my rules of engagement, and a simunitions Glock. My partner in crime, who has shot a gun once before in his life, was issued two hostages and two revolver simunition guns. We were then walked up to our rooms to get positioned and wait.
The waiting was the worst part. The police helicopter was flying about 200 feet AGL and shining its light into my otherwise pitch black room, ruining my nightvision and covering the noise of the team moving down the hallway.
A couple of flash bangs later (a rather unique experience) and I was in a shootout with three well armed men. I got around 6 shots off before taking a three round burst to my left arm and at that point gave up.
After Action Report:
- Flash bangs are increadible tools.
- The psychlogical effect of knowing there is a team out there waiting for me was increadible, and I knew at the end I was walking away with nothing worse than a couple of bruises.
- I ended up shooting two of the entry team, one in the neck protector and one in the arm.
- I have an even greater respect for our men and women who do this sort of work every day. I'll stick with the fires, they obey physics. Y'all can keep the crazy, unpredictable people.