Project Appleseed

After Action Reports! => After Action Reports => Topic started by: Wheeler44 on March 10, 2009, 02:53:52 AM

Title: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: Wheeler44 on March 10, 2009, 02:53:52 AM
If there isn't an AAR it didn't really happen... <:)
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: STRAT on March 10, 2009, 03:22:11 AM
No time for photos but the images will never be forgotten by those who attended. O0

Special thanks to Atticus for traveling so far and sacrificing his time.

Job well done for Earl suave steering the lunch conversation back on AS history  and mission.

The weather was far from Ideal, snow rain wind cold temps and muddy march to the targets and back but a fine and pleasant experience just the same.

artandscience has the official numbers but I believe five more riflemen were made.

As has been my experience with all field shoots over the years battle proven rifles still fail and this shoot was no exception, several rifles major malfunctioned, many generous shooter loaned rifles and ammo but not enough to cover all the platform failures.

My Colt A2 sear pin came out just far enough to keep the hammer from resetting, maybe those pin retaining add ons are a good idea after all.

Thanks to those that made the effort to show up and shoot, a very good time shooting, we had about a 50% attrition rate from Saturday to Sunday but a few walk ons helped the numbers, it was great to meet them.

This ofcourse was the first official voyage of SNODAR , Snohomish County dedicated rifle range.

Looking forward to the next AppleSeed.





Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: TheUpsetter on March 11, 2009, 05:46:08 AM
SNODAR, huh?  That, hands down, is the best name for an Appleseed DAR in the entire free world.

I was at the shoot Saturday to help out, and was super glad to be able to climb out from under a mountain of work to be there at all.  This was the first shoot at STRAT's range, and I have to hand it to the man, he did an amazing job setting the place up.  He single handedly built a roof for the shooting line, provided all of us with a nice heated shop for history lessons, and in general, was a fantastic host.  Thank you STRAT!

A big thanks also to artandscience for making this event happen.  I'm hoping he earned his Green Hat this weekend, he sure deserves it. 

Atticus came down from Mt Olympus, or wherever it is that the Appleseed God's are from, to make sure the first shoot at SNODAR went off without a hitch.  It was a blessing to have his experience and knowledge on the line.  Thank you Atticus!

Saturday started off cold, and gray, and muddy.  Perfect if you ask me.  Then about 2:30 in the afternoon the snow came and piled up fast, so I had to hit the road for  2 hour drive home.  The morning weny quite smoothly, with 13 shooters on the line.  I think there were 2 M14's, 4 .223's and a handful of asssorted .22's.  We had at least one guy who was very new to shooting who did very well, and several experienced shooters who learned a lot as well.  We shot the first AQT about 2:30 in the afternoon and ended up with 2 Rifleman right off the bat.  Nice work Bob and Tyson.  Huzzah!  Huzzah!  Huzzah!

Artandscience, Earl, and Atticus told all three strikes throughout the day, and several shooters mentioned to me how appreciative they were to hear the history.  This is what Appleseed is about after all.  We are an American heritage organization that just so happens to teach a top notch marksmanship course. 

Atticus had all of the instructors rotate calling the line, teaching skills, RSOing, and instructing, so artandscience, Fredness, Earl, RL, Meantree, and myself got a chance to do it all.

I had a great time and really appreciate guys like M14 John and Dan coming out to give the younger guys a run for their money.  Now, all we need to do is figure out some clever plan to get at least 1 female and perhaps a few kiddies out there for the next shoot. 

The weather was kind of crappy, but honestly, with STRAT's set up you didn't really notice it. 

A big thanks to all the attendees.  Without you, Appleseed is just a bunch of instructor's who give up their time to stand on a firing line without actually getting to shoot. 

Nice work NW WA!

_TheUpsetter   

Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: atticus on March 11, 2009, 07:22:54 AM
I must apologize for the tardiness of this AAR, with the 3 hour time change flying over, then daylight savings time, then a 3 hour time change flying back...

First, I must thank the landowner, Strat,  as TheUpsetter stated, he is a wonderful host.  Not only did he provide land, a backstop, a target line, and heated shop, he also saw the weather forecast for the weekend, decided something needed to be done, then built a permanent framework for a covered shooting line on Friday!  But wait, he was also responsible for loaning 3 rifles that helped keep the line running and attendees shooting!  TALK ABOUT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE.  THANKS AGAIN STRAT! O0

Official numbers: Saturday Attendees 14, by the way, it was raining at 06:00.  I know some of the line-dancing couch potatoes saw the forecast and went back to bed, you missed a fantastic shoot!
Saturday Riflemen: 2 which works out to 14.3%
Sunday Attendees: 10 from Sat plus two more Sunday only walk-ons, total: 12
Sunday Riflemen:  2
Total Riflemen for the weekend: 4 out of 16 shooters.  25% Riflemen for the weekend plus marked improvement on numerous shooters.  Excellent shooting Washington State!

I can guarantee, everyone of the shooters that attended can and will earn a Rifleman patch by dry-firing, practicing positions, and mag changes.  Then at the next AS, bring your friends and family, they will be SHOCKED when you shoot a Rifleman score on the first AQT of Saturday.

Congrats to the four Riflemen, thanks again to Strat, and a Big Thanks to all the instructors.  Until next time, keep squeezing the trigger.

Atticus

Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: atticus on March 11, 2009, 07:36:41 AM
I'm afraid to post the first picture, taken on Friday before the snow.  Fred already complains that I only step up for the most beautiful and pleasant parts of the country.

Just in case you weren't there, here are a few pictures:
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: PHenry on March 11, 2009, 11:19:37 AM
STRAT,
My red hat is off to you sir - you are clearly the kind of person I aspire to be. For whatever it's worth - thank you.


Atticus,
I am beginning to see a trend here - you always git more Rifleman than I do. While my ego says it's just a coincidence - my brain knows better. You are the best of the best sir and I am proud to know you.  O0
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: Fred on March 11, 2009, 11:35:25 AM
Quote from: atticus on March 11, 2009, 07:36:41 AM
I'm afraid to post the first picture, taken on Friday before the snow.  Fred already complains that I only step up for the most beautiful and pleasant parts of the country.

     Looking at the first and last pics, why would poor Fred ever make a crazy complaint like that?  :)

     The rest of the pics don't look so bad, either. A berm as big as that one has got to be "a thing of beauty" to an Appleseed Instructor!

     Good job, all! Thanks for that SNODAR, Strat!

     Say, if it's a DAR, we should have ten more AS (at least) set up for the rest of the year, right?

     And maybe an IBC or two?

     Just askin'...

      O0
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: Nickle on March 11, 2009, 11:59:57 AM
If you can get 10+ events scheduled, there could certainly be more than just 2 IBC's scheduled. Just have to get enough Riflemen made to train, and it looks like you're off to a good start on that. Looks like there's justification for one ASAP.

Fred, Fred, I'm going to have to counsel you, about setting the goals too low (just kidding, of course).  ;)

Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: atticus on March 11, 2009, 12:11:00 PM
I knew better than to post that picture.

As usual, Fred is correct, a nice berm is a thing of beauty! :)

Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: STRAT on March 11, 2009, 12:47:11 PM
Sun Rise can be beautiful too.

(http://home1.gte.net/res0p1ia/sunrise5.jpg)

(http://home1.gte.net/res0p1ia/view.jpg)

Grass does grow here, we just need a little more global warming to get it growing again.

(http://home1.gte.net/res0p1ia/P1170003.jpg)
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: atticus on March 11, 2009, 01:18:17 PM
Strat, wonderful sunrise, we (Instructors) try to keep pictures like those off the AAR.  Now you have gone and caused a whole bunch of work for Nickle, he'll be busy making a waiting list for instructors. :)
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: Nickle on March 11, 2009, 01:58:49 PM
Russ, if only that were true.

Does look pretty, though. We NEED more places like that, and a few others I know of.
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: Doktor_Jeep on March 11, 2009, 04:04:28 PM
Did I see the word "shocked"?

That's what I felt when arriving on Friday night and seeing that Strat SINGLEHANDEDLY built that overhead. He asked for my help but I was too busy working on a case (of rum) - OK I could not get a day off on late notice.

:D


Fantastic range and we will work to get some grass growing there hopefully as soon as this ice age ends.

Thank you Atticus for coming out and for your hard work travelling around the country taking care of business.
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: RL on March 14, 2009, 03:55:01 AM
Thank you Strat and thank you Atticus. I took a few pictures of the dismal snow on Saturday. I have yet to post them...soon though! Excellent shooting weather! If there wasn't any adversity, what would we have to thrive on!
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: POP on March 14, 2009, 01:07:43 PM
WOW!   O0
Great AAR PICs.
And, some great AAR commentary as well. 

Kinda makes me wish I were on my Appleseed tour now.

But, somehow I have gotten real busy down here in South Texas with Corpus Christi, Port Lavaca, and promoting other locations.  When the smoke clears here (naw, it ain't never gonna clear, not even after we have saved our country ... we have to keep working to preserve it) but, I will go on tour and make it up to WA and OR and points all around. 

And, who knows, I might just team up with TheUpsetter again for a few AS shoots.

Thanks, TU, strat, atticus, Wheeler44, ...
And, strat, was your Monroe SNODAR equipped with a heated indoor line?   **) Nice Work O0.

See you on the trail.   :~
POP
Title: Re: Monroe WA Mar. 7- 8 , 2009
Post by: Earl on July 08, 2009, 02:46:18 AM
I was working the line on this day, teaching History, but didn't have a camera working.