A Real Life Spec Op Story

There are a lot of books written and movies produced about real special operative soldiers. But what is true and what is fake? These brave men and women sacrifice so much, so who are these spec ops soldiers and what are their stories? Today, we’ll look at one real life spec ops story.

spec ops story

Authentic Spec Ops Story: the Hunt for Hussein

Back in 2003, the world was a scary and confusing place. America was in the midst of two separate wars, and most civilians couldn’t keep track of who did what in which war. But for a group of spec ops, America’s biggest enemy since Desert Storm was about to be taken down once and for all.

That was the plan.

 

Task Force 20 was a group organized to take down President of Iraq and war-monger Saddam Hussein. They were a group of Rangers and Delta operators, two groups of Special Forces.

They followed a convoy from Mosul, Iraq by helicopters. The convoy was thought to have had Hussein himself on board, so by following it, they thought they could end it once and for all.

However, once the convoy crossed borders into Syria, they had to stop the helicopter pursuit. That was until the commander gave them special permission to follow the convoy on foot. The rest of the team had no idea that they were headed into Syria until the ground commander announced over the radio that they were.

The spec ops finally caught up with the convoy, and an attack ensued. The conflict didn’t last long at all, but at the end of it all, they realized the truth about this situation.

 

Hussein wasn’t even there.

Instead, several of Hussein’s cousins were there. The whole conflict, despite being a lesser-known event, was a little controversial.

Spec Ops Experience

At Machine Gun Experience, you get to fire the real deal when it comes to the real life guns that were used in this spec ops story. From Special Forces to Special Operatives, you get the sense that you’re training for combat. Sign up for the experience today.

Special Ops Training: Firearm Training

We’ve gone over just how tough spec ops are. From Special Operative training to their combat applications, Special Operations are believed to have the hardest jobs. For exceptionally tough individuals, you’ve got to have extraordinarily tough training. Here’s the spec ops training that focuses on firearms.

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Spec Ops Training for Firearms

Proper weapon handling

The best training for spec ops and firearm use is not an easy one. It seems as though firearm training would be pretty standard, right? Well, no one shoots like a spec op. It boils down to every detail, starting with how you handle your rifle.

  • Finger outside the trigger guard (never lay your finger along the trigger)
  • Keep your elbows in, close to your body
  • Slightly bend the knees

 

  • Always use the sights!

That last one is a basic shooting fundamental that every spec op knows. It’s something that is often overlooked in movies and TV shows and, therefore, we learn to use assault rifles the wrong way.

Learning short range combat

After you go over the basics in spec ops training (you should already be familiar with those basics before being selected for spec ops), it’s time to apply weapons handling in an environment where you learn basic short range combat. What is short range combat? Short range combat encompasses combat styles like hand-to-hand and close quarters combat.

SRC is a unique firearm training for spec ops because, not only does it test a soldier’s firearm skills, but their physical strength and survival instinct. In any worst case scenario, the spec op training involves a plan B. Very useful in any situation. SRC training involves:

  • Firing stance: Feet are shoulder-width apart, toes pointed straight ahead.
  • High ready position: the end of the weapon is held under the armpit, barrel held slightly up just in peripheral vision of the spec op.
  • Low ready position: The barrel is held down at a 45-degree angle.
  • Movement: Spec ops are trained to run around, holding their weapons in the appropriate manner while staying focused in on their target. No soldier should have to look where they are going and must not trip over anything in the process.
  • Kneeling: spec ops are trained to combat enemies from a kneeling position.
  • Aiming: When practicing their aiming, four different aiming techniques are practiced; slow aimed fire, rapid aimed fire, aimed quick kill and instinctive fire.

Tactical reloading

In the line of duty, thinking and acting quickly is the name of the game. One of the more time-consuming aspects of firearm use is reloading your weapon. In a firefight, spec op training goes over ways to reduce this time greatly with tactical reloading. Whilst reloading, spec ops learn to:

  • Keep barrel on target at all times
  • Forcefully pulling empty magazine out and dropping it
  • Just as quickly as it was dropped, insert new magazine without moving rifle
  • Quickly chamber the round

The trick is to do all that with one hand while steadying the rifle with the other.

Practice makes perfect

Spec ops training takes time, and these tasks that you learn aren’t something you can learn in a weekend. That’s why spec ops training takes months at a time to complete one task. It’s no walk in the park, and no one expects anyone to pull it off, but if you have what it takes to be a spec op, this is what the basic firearm training entails.

Get a Taste of Spec Ops Training

While obviously not the real thing (we wouldn’t do that to you), Machine Gun Experience offers a package that allows you to fire all of the weapons a spec op in training would be using. Book your experience today.

What Is SWAT?

Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT, is a law enforcement squad that handles dangerous situations normal police officers cannot. Just like the name states, SWAT teams handle more advanced and deadly weaponry and are tactically similar to the military. SWAT teams are generally used in situations like drug busts or rescue missions.

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History of SWAT

The 1960s were a time of heavy, violent criminal activity and political conflicts. The standard police force just wasn’t cutting it anymore. That’s when they started developing a more militarized team for when things got dicey.

The first implementation of SWAT was in the mid-1960s. The Los Angeles Police Department was having trouble with riots. Due to the harsh political climate, the riots were only getting worse. The incident that initiated the SWAT team’s first appearance was the Watts riot, or Watts Rebellion, an incident that ended the lives of 34 LA citizens and caused $40 million in damage.

Squads of heavily armored, specially trained police officers entered the flooded streets of people and began, aggressively, restoring order. Over time, SWAT teams became a national trend as most cities in the United States started developing their own SWAT forces.

Since the 1980s, the United States has been involved in “The War on Drugs,” a mass event of increased trafficking, violence, and drug usage all across the American continents.

SWAT Tactics

Since riots and violent drug busts aren’t daily occurrences, SWAT teams are integrated into regular police activity but remain on active duty in the event of something extreme. Basically, not every officer is SWAT, but every SWAT member is an officer.

SWAT teams undergo military combat and tactical training. They are also equipped with heavy armor and assault weapons normal officers and civilians don’t have access to. It’s this training and weapon certification that makes them a powerful force. You’ll often see during riots where SWAT teams toss smoke bombs and tear gas to break up crowds. They also have large bulletproof body shields called “riot shields.”

SWAT Training

There are two different classes for SWAT training: basic and advanced. During basic, SWAT candidates will undergo a four-day basic training. This training is similar to military training in that it focuses on different combat and other tactics such as building searches, assaults and hostage rescue.

The advanced training focuses mostly on weapon training, using rifles and sub machine guns. Candidates learn important marksmanship traits like moving and shooting. They also delve deeper into hostage rescue.
To get a taste of what it takes to be a member of SWAT, we have a basic weapons course, you and your friends can try out. Of course, you’re not going to be rescuing any hostages or breaking up riots, but you will get to try out an arsenal of SWAT weapons from the Glock 17 to a 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun! Check out some of our other packages we provide and sign up for your experience today!

Special Forces vs. Spec Ops

Ask anyone in either the special forces or spec ops what the most annoying thing is and they’d most likely tell you it’s how people get the two of them confused with one another. In the media especially, you’ll see them calling a spec op a “Special Forces” soldier. Let’s put an end to that right now.

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Special Operations

Spec ops or Special Operations Forces (SOF) are any operatives affiliated with the United States Special Operations Command, or SOCOM. SOCOM is a global network of US special soldiers. What makes them so “special” is that they do the job no other soldier could (nor is even allowed to).

Spec ops training

It’s popular to say that Spec Op training is 10% physical and 90% mental—a strong statement considering the level of fitness that precludes spec op bootcamp. What you have to realize is that the 90% mental is in a great deal physical as well. What we mean by that is that the training is so excruciating and intense, it tests your psyche as well as your body. Bodybuilders, pro athletes and fitness gurus have tried the spec op training… and failed.

Special Forces

Special Forces is a branch of the US Army, a specific group in the Army in fact. Also known as a “Green Beret,” a Special Forces soldier duty is to take on any unusual or intensely difficult task the regular Army couldn’t tackle. A lot of what they do involves going behind enemy lines in secret covert missions. Most of what they do is top secret info and is never disclosed to the public, but we do know that they were responsible for taking out the Taliban in a matter of weeks.

Special forces training

Soldiers joining up with the Special Forces have to endure nine weeks of ultra-intense physical and mental conditioning. This is just the initial training, though. Afterward, soldiers will attend the Advanced Individual Training for four weeks.

After their Advanced Individual Training, soldiers are required to take Basic Airborne School for three weeks, and from then on, spec ops prep, assessment and qualification courses are required.

The whole process takes over a year—if you can handle it.

In Summary

As it turns out, Special Forces is just another branch of the very broad group of Special Operations. In any case, training for a special anything in the military challenges you to your very limits: physically and mentally.
You can get a very basic Spec Op Weapons Training course here in Las Vegas. It will test your marksmanship as you use weapons similar to those used by special operatives. It’s the closest you can get to the real thing, so sign up today and have some fun with it!

Most Realistic Cop Shows

Finding realism on television is a lot like finding a hidden treasure: If you see it and recognize how real it is, it becomes even more amazing to watch. Finding realistic cop shows is a little challenging because, unfortunately, most cop shows and crime dramas are comically pretty bad.

Here, we have a list of the most realistic cop shows on television, whether it be moments of realism or overall accuracy.

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Realistic Cop Shows

Cops

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Cops was arguably the first of its kind. Before The Bachelor and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Cops was an actual reality show, depicting real police officers and their day-to-day tasks. It’s famous amongst daytime television viewers for its intense and often humorous events—and for its iconic theme song.

 

The show, if you haven’t seen it, follows one or two cops at a time as they respond to a call. More times than not, the call is a domestic dispute… Something that officers of the law have to deal with on the daily. And you can tell, judging by the generally monotonous and tired nature of the cops.

 

The show doesn’t try to excite the drama in any way. It just shows what is actually happening. For this reason, not everyone is a Cops fan. However, Cops teaches us that you don’t need a script: The world is crazy and unbelievable enough as is.

Law and Order

Everyone’s favorite police procedural makes the list, despite a few very inaccurate and dramatized details. Since its debut in the early 90s (making it the longest running crime drama in America), Law and Order has had a lot of time to research police tactics.

 

There are a few flaws in this show, though. For example, Law and Order shows investigations take place over the course of a few days whereas, in real life, it averagely takes months. The officers in the show seem to be able to trace a gun’s owner in a matter of hours. This isn’t the case, because tracking down who owns a gun is a lengthy and inconvenient task.

 

In terms of firearms, the cast of Law and Order all use their weapons appropriately: proper weapon handling and hardly any excessive use (there are always exceptions). The investigations themselves are all handled professionally and near up to par with police standard procedure.

True Detective

This bizarre psychological crime anthology shows a philosophical and darker side to crime drama, but it’s actually more accurate than you realize.

 

In the show, two detectives who really don’t like each other get paired up to solve a bit of a weird crime. The crime involves an unraveling cult murder and sacrifice scenario in a swampy Louisiana setting, which obviously isn’t something that happens often, but that’s the point: normal detective work used to solve a much different than normal crime.

 

But at the same time, it’s kind of a true story…

 

Detectives often take years and years to solve a crime, which the show takes one full season to solve on crime (most crime shows take one episode). Throughout True Detective, the officers use real detective skills such as evidence collecting, forensics, interviews, and the boring sifting through old files. They do what real detectives do which, in real life, isn’t an action packed adventure. The show keeps you watching with its psychological aspect and character building.

 

There are two major gun fights in True Detective: one in a drug-riddled ghetto and the other with (no spoilers ahead, don’t worry) the culprits. The latter gun battle lands the detectives in the hospital for major injuries, showing how human they are. The show’s creators also had the two actors, Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, train for their firearm usage and it really shows in those shootouts.  

The Wire

Everyone’s talking about The Wire. The show is based in Baltimore, a city that wasn’t explored much in television before, with the goal of showing the darker side of most American cities. The show is praised for its accurate and often intense portrayal of police work.

 

The Wire was co-created by a police officer and a reporter, both from Baltimore, so there might not be a more accurate procedural crime drama on television. It gives the audience a very authentic look into what happens when your city is ravaged by the war on drugs and drug-related crimes. The Wire isn’t shy to delve into the real issues of drug-use, and that it isn’t just the gangs, it’s the working class and the upper class citizens.

 

Since the show was developed by those who have experienced what it’s like to be in law enforcement, accuracy becomes second nature. The cast and crew were educated in what street crime really is and how officers really deal with it. The brutal message in The Wire is that crime is resilient.

The Police Experience

In order to understand how realistic cop shows can be, actors will undergo professional weapons training. Having access to police and SWAT team weaponry allows for greater understanding for those curious about what it is like to actually be a cop. You can learn how to handle and fire an arsenal of police guns, so schedule your experience today!

 

Women Who Shoot Guns in Movies

Shooting is no longer a man’s game. Although men may have their fair share of action movie heroes, women who shoot are slowly taking over the big screen and the gun world. Here’s our list of top five leading ladies who have mastered their tactical shooting stance and their weapons, all while capturing our hearts.

Women Who Shoot in Cinema

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Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

Weapon: Twin Heckler and Koch USP Match pistols

 

Angelina Jolie has played many kick-butt women in films, but her most iconic role is probably Lara Croft. Although Tomb Raider is an empire consisting of books, movies, and video games, Jolie’ bodysuit clad figure, adorned with hip holsters holding her signature pistols is the immediate image that comes to mind. Even if she carries pistols with her, don’t disregard her ability to show off a proper rifle shooting stance too.

Trinity, The Matrix

Weapon: Two Beretta 84FS Cheetahs

 

Carrie-Anne Moss plays Trinity in The Matrix. Her weaponry is often minimal, but she can hold her own in a room full of agents with what little she carries. Film creators opted for a Beretta 84FS as opposed to a full-sized Beretta because Moss has small hands. She is also seen yielding a Micro Uzi in the film. Like many other women who shoot, Trinity is skilled in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat.

Imperator Furiosa, Mad Max: Fury Road

Weapon: Taurus PT99AF

 

Charlize Theron is almost unrecognizable as Furiosa in Fury Road. Her mechanical arm does not stop her from taking her tactical shooting stance and fearlessly defending the wives of Immortan Joe. Eventually, Furiosa enlists the help of a tribe of women from “The Green Land,” where she grew up and kills Immortan Joe. Not only does she save his wives but the city he once ruled over too.

Selene, Underworld

Weapon: A pair of Beretta 92FS sidearms

 

Kate Beckinsale plays a vampire named Selene in Underworld. With the help of her signature Berettas, she defeats lycans in several films. The cruel death of her family sparked her plan of revenge. She exhibits tactical expertise in several films, escaping from situations that seemed nearly impossible.

Alice, Resident Evil

Weapon: Beretta 92FS Inox

 

Mila Jovovich is another actress who has played several female empowering characters during her career. Alice is one of her most memorable roles and the lead in the films, which depict her conflict with the Umbrella Corporation. Like a couple of other women who shoot on our list, Alice knows Berettas do it betta when you’re in a tactical shooting stance.

Join the Women Who Shoot at an Indoor Gun Range

Women who shoot may have been born with a kick-butt mindset and some inherent talent, but their expertise came with practice. Master your proper rifle shooting stance at an indoor gun range near the Strip. Book your Vegas Machine Gun Experience online today.

Gun Etiquette for the Indoor Shooting Range

Is your trip to Viva Las Vegas going to be your first time visiting an indoor shooting range? You’re in luck because there’s no better place to experience the thrill of shooting legendary machine guns than the legendary Sin City. But before you suit up for your gun-venture, there are a few safety rules you should know. Follow them, and you’re sure to be an old pro in no time.

Six Etiquette Rules for the Indoor Shooting Range

Keep guns aimed at safety zones

An indoor shooting range provides targets for participants to perfect their aim, but keep in mind just because it’s there doesn’t mean it’s fair game. Your gun instructor will let you know where it’s safe to shoot. More important than not aiming at shooting range props like frames and supports, is to never point your weapon at another person.

Don’t interrupt another shooter

Never attempt to talk to another person shooting at firing range targets, especially by physically tapping them on the shoulder, bumping into them, or messing with their safety gear. The only time it’s acceptable to interrupt another person at the range is if they or another person are in danger. This rule also applies to coaching or correct another shooter. For the most part try to remember: If it’s not unsafe, it can wait.

Guns not in use should be unloaded

There have been some tragic stories involving gun usage that ended in the accidental shooter saying they didn’t know the gun was loaded. Any gun, whether it be your own personal gun at home or the gun you’re using at an indoor shooting range, should never be loaded until it’s being used. Even if you’re visiting the best shooting range in Vegas, as soon as you get your gun, you should check that it’s empty.

Hands off other shooters’ guns

You wouldn’t pick up another person’s baggage at an airport or food at a restaurant, would you? So why would you pick up another person’s gun? If you’re new to shooting you may not know the quirks of another person’s weapon. Keep your hands to yourself when visiting an indoor shooting range in Las Vegas or anywhere else.

Have good, clean fun

If you’re visiting an indoor shooting range near the strip while visiting Las Vegas, nothing is more important than having fun. Leave your inhibitions at the door when you visit the range. When you leave, make sure you clean up after yourself so the next person shooting at firing range targets can have the same clean fun you did.

Practice Etiquette and Shooting at the Machine Gun Experience

If you’re looking to shoot some fun into your vacation, visit the best shooting range in Las Vegas, The Vegas Machine Gun Experience. Purchase your shooting package online!