AAR Ft. Bliss Texas KNOWN DISTANCE, Feb 10-11, 2024

[Mrs. Smith]

The weather in far west Texas in February is almost always just perfect.

Except when it ISN'T. 

The morning of February 10 dawned cold, cloudy, and wet, with sleet and rain and snow flurries.  All of which would have been manageable if not for the WIND (which none of us properly prepared for.)  It sent that cold right to our bones.

But did that slow these folks down?  oh HECK no!!

We had two father/son duos on the line - Mike and his son Nate, and Barry with his son Axel. Also in attendance were Marcos, Luis, and Jeff.  SuperMario and LateByProxy joined them on the line, both shooting their first KD events.

Our thanks to the Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club for being gracious hosts. Chief RSO Jared was available for whatever we needed. Fortunately it wasn't much! 

Thanks also to the Franklin Mountain Gun Club for letting us have their regularly scheduled day for this event. 

After intros and Safety, we started the weekend with an attempt at Morgan's Shingle!  The students clearly did their assigned homework, having their rifles zeroed to 100 yards and calculating the standard come-ups to 250yards.  The result?  FOUR new members of Morgan's Riflemen!

L-R  Mike, Nate, Ghostring, Mario, Barry



What a way to start a weekend!

We rolled into instruction, and started gathering our dope at each distance.

Yes, there are target backers down there - 8 feet tall!




Note the wind indicator flag in the background


During breaks from the line we learned some history, including Ephraim Brank and his remarkable performance as a Rifleman facing the British army.

100, 200, 300, and 400 yards later, and we minted FOUR Riflemen!

Mike and Nate requalified, and Marcos and Luis are our newest KD Riflemen in west Texas!

Master Instructor Ghostring laid down the decree that this day ABSOLUTELY qualified as a Winterseed (dude, it really was so cold with that wind) which certainly added the cherry to the sundae!

Marcos, Luis, Mike, and Nate


We wrapped for the day, had a chat about Liberty, and went home to defrost and prepare for Sunday.

[Mrs. Smith]

Sunday!!

It seems there was some kind of sporting event scheduled for Sunday the 11th.  Who knew?

But you know what they say.... 



Once again the first live fire of the day was Morgan's Shingle, and once again the students showed what they were made of.

Axel and Jeff joined the ranks of Morgan's Riflemen that day!



We were much better prepared for the cold on day two! So, naturally, it was slightly less cold 



After a lesson on Target Detection and a Range Estimation exercise, we introduced the class to Battle Sight Zero.  AQT 2 of the weekend was shot with BSZ, and the students really liked the simplicity of it. 

Barry and Axel tied on the Range Estimation challenge, and won themselves the coveted Chalice!























LateByProxy's target - She disappeared every time the camera came out 

[Mrs. Smith]

Three AQTS in on Sunday, with history including the Battle of King's Mountain and some Timothy Murphy.

Anybody can go to the range on a beautiful day and do well.

When you're doing so in very cold, very hot, windy, wet, and otherwise unpleasant weather, you REALLY find out what you're made of.

These folks are made of some seriously tough stuff.

By 3pm we were all pretty much DONE.  A benedicton and cleanup later and it was time to go home. Those who wished were able to make it back in time for kickoff, even. Win-win.

Until we meet again, shooters, on behalf of Ghostring, Captwa, Mr. Smith, and Young Patriot, it was our honor to spend the weekend with you celebrating history and the American art of Rifle Marksmanship.

See you next time!!!

Mrs. Smith

[Old Fossil]

I was really wanting to sign up for the KD, even got my membership at the Rod & Gun renewed, but luckily I had to work. 

[Mrs. Smith]

I was really wanting to sign up for the KD, even got my membership at the Rod & Gun renewed, but luckily I had to work. 

    It was unpleasant weather, Glenn, but the excellent company made up for it

[Gus]

Greetings All!

A late reply to this after action report. A few days after the Ft Bliss KD, my wife and I took a vacation to the Caribbean and then upon my return home, promptly got sick.  Anyway, enough about that.

This KD was fabulous! Enjoyed it thoroughly! Yes, the weather was cold and windy, but not too cold or windy.  Definitely had to allow for the wind at 300 and 400 yards. Mrs. Smith, Ghostring, Wa, Mr. Smith, and Young Patriot made set up and running the KD look easy: A hallmark of those who are very good at what they do.

Everytime I attend a clinic or IBC, I learn a ton, then I take notes.  Even though I'd seen IMC presented many times before, Ghostring's presentation, especially that part about Milrads was really good. Also enjoyed the story about Ephraim Brank-a true marksman during the war of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans.

Now it's time for getting ready for my spring and summer. It'll start by working the Waco clinic in April with Scuzzy. From there my wife and I will travel to Idaho where we volunteer at a state park. While up there I'll work a clinic with Prescott in Parma, ID.  In August we fly to Alaska for work, but, I will be attending a KD in Talkeetna with my old friends. Will get in touch with ItsanSKS and see if I can work that clinic as well, a centerfire KD-love those KD's!  I'll be back in Texas by mid-October and will be working some clinics at Kerrville.

Going to be a busy one for sure!

To Mrs. Smith, Ghostring, Wa, Mr. Smith, and Young Patriot: Thank you for running a safe and enjoyable KD. 

In Liberty,

Gus