21 August 2021. 0800 HRS. Somewhere in the Mojave Desert.
Specially selected teams begin their approach to an aircraft resting ground. Very few can say they have laid eyes upon this sight. Fewer can say they have walked the grounds. Only a handful can say they had the pleasure of gearing up and assaulting a 747 or breaching a C130. Four unique challenges await these teams, each with their own set of objectives in a customized environment. Stow your trays and return your seats to their upright position, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
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WHAT IS THE LION CLAWS TACTICAL CHALLENGE?
Every year, the organizers from Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series put together their official Lion Claws Tactical Challenge. LCTC has taken place in never before played locales: train yards, aircraft junkyards, and abandoned malls. In 2021 they have once again returned to the aircraft graveyard in Mojave, CA. This location is known as storage for decommissioned airliners and private jets.
Four teams have accepted the challenge and put together elite 8-man squads up to the task. With LCTC, competitors are not pitted against each other, but against an unknown number of an opposing force (OPFOR) tasked with keeping them at bay. These challenges are not simple target elimination scenarios, as some incorporate live hostages that must be properly identified, protected, and extracted. Take note: You never know if one of the seemingly frightened “hostages” is actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
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| OPFOR of Lane 3 |
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| PRK9 in front of C-130 Aircraft |
To add a sense of urgency, each team is pitted against the clock and given only 20 minutes per challenge. This not only includes completing every objective but also includes a proper exfiltration. Every death results in different respawn criteria, the worst being a timed delay. This can reach upwards of 25% of the total time before your downed teammate can return to action. Teamwork and cohesion become paramount when every second matters.
Every “lane” has limited intel and teams must formulate a plan of attack using their best judgment. Most importantly, combatants must be able to adjust to any changes the challenge may bring. Intel may find hijackers have hidden a bomb on board an airliner, senstive materials must be taken back to base, or a deadly nerve agent has been released and consumed one of the sections.
CHALLENGE LANES
The challenges for the 2021 LCTC brought four completely different play fields with four unique sets of objectives. The following is a breakdown of each lane in their given order:
[LANE 1]
Location: 747 Airliner
Objective: Defuse Bomb, Protect Hostages
Be advised as hijackers have taken hostages. Intel informs that they cannot leave the aircraft, as it would trigger a bomb on board. Locate bomb and defuse it using a code taken from certain OPFOR. Note: due to a barricade, only one entry point has been made available.
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| Lane 1: Team G&G begin their approach to the 747 Airliner |
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| Lane 1: Cabin View aboard the 747 |
[LANE 2]
Location: 747 Airliner
Objective: Eliminate Hostiles and Extract Hostages
A 747 Airliner has been hijacked and a large number of hostages are being held hostage. Safely escort all hostages away from the premises, and eliminate all hostiles. Be advised as hostages may be over distressed due to the situation and may react spontaneously. Two entry points have been made available for breaching. Note: shutters have been drawn, so expect sections with low light.
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| Lane 2: Cabin View at Entry Point |
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| Lane 2: 1st Class approach to Cockpit |
[LANE 3]
Location: Airfield
Objective: Eliminate HVT, Extract Intel
An enemy High Value Target has been located at a nearby airfield. Locate and eliminate him before he flees on his private jet. Once eliminated, search for any electronic devices (laptops and cell phones) for intelligence to decipher.
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| Lane 3: Team G&G Fan Out in Search for HVT |
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| Lane 3: Taking Cover Behind Scavenged Private Jet |
[LANE 4]
Location: Aircraft Junkyard
Objective: Eliminate Hostiles, Detonate Weapons Caches
Locate and eliminate an unknown number of assailants while searching for a weapon stash. Once secured, relocate stash to detonation point. Intel has gathered no signs of friendlies or civilians in the immediate area. Feel free to engage at will.
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| Lane 4: Determining Plan of Attack though Junkyard |
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| Lane 4: Relocating Weapons Cache to Detonation Point |
RESULTS
After all four teams attempted all four lanes and all the dust finally settled, everyone gathered under the wing of a 747 for the announcement. After a long day of running and gunning, the times were recorded, objectives assessed, penalties were adjusted, and placing was announced.
We are proud to say G&G Armament has taken the crown as the 2021 LCTC Champions! This and the win from 2020 makes them back-to-back Tactical Challenges, a feat that has only been accomplished one other time since Lion Claws began the challenge.
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| Results: Photo of 2021 LCTC Trophy & Team G&G Armament | |
CONCLUSION
To all the shooters out there, Airsoft or otherwise, the Lion Claws Tactical Challenge is open to all who would like to participate. Get ready to build your squad and witness the fast-paced, high-stress environment. There are not many events that will grant you access to an exclusive locale, and gear up with your squad for an experience like no other. The Lion Claws Tactical Challenge has been a consistent event since the first one in October 2002, sometimes even occurring twice in a year. Though Mojave has been a staple for many years, there have been rumblings of one at a closed state prison. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open.
For scheduling, availability, and admission information contact Operation Lion Claws at admin@olcmss.com or on their Instagram @oplionclaws.
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| Team G&G Escorting OPFOR after Final Lane |
