HTIS Operation Blue Fox II

Over the weekend of the 12th and 13th November, contributors Bill Thomas and Kelly Hardwick set off from different parts of the UK to attend “Operation Blue Fox II”, run by HTIS at the fire service college, Moreton-In-Marsh and report now on what turned out to be a very challenging game!

“RUSSIAN MILITIA FORCES supported by elements of the Russian Army have crossed the Border and ceasefire line and have attempted to take over a strategically located Military industrial Complex and Airbase and annex the area.

A NATO Military and Police Task force has been assigned to move into to area and remove all Russian Forces from the Complex and Airbase and secure the border to prevent further Russian aggression.”

This was the brief that everyone got well prior to “Blue Fox II” and set the scene for what was to be a memorable game - but not always for the right reasons. HT Immersive Simulations, the game organisers, had gone to immense effort not only to secure a unique and never-played before site but to set up what became a much-anticipated game scenario. The player pack and joining instructions, sent out well in advance of the game, were absolutely first rate and excitement levels were high as I left for the site.

After a long, four-hour drive, I finally arrived at the Fire Service College just before last light and after a short wait we were all escorted onto the site. Once parked up it was straight to check in which, once again, was extremely well organised and the process straightforward. As I’d elected to make use of the camping facilities it was then time to get set up in a lovely meadow, where several portaloos had been put in place for us, so we didn’t have to traipse back and forth to the accommodation block.

Returning to the briefing area, those of us reporting on the game were given a thorough and professional media briefing, before retiring to the Bar to catch up with old friends.