Bailout Biathlon ‘25 Concept Of Operations
SITUATION:
Red Dawn - Wolverines!
MISSION:
This event is open class. Life is an unfair arms race, so we're not creating special categories except for safety. As long as it's safe, may the best competitor win with the equipment they have! Check out Rules — Mystery Operations for specifics.
Solo competitors will bailout from their vehicles and embark on three distinct short courses, each tailored for a specific firearm: one for pistol calibers, one for carbines, and one for precision rifles/DMRs. Competitors may use Pistol Caliber Carbines for both the pistol caliber and carbine courses at their discretion. Each course will span approximately 3 miles and include 4 rapid stages. Competitors should be ready, swift, and precise, then repeat the process for each course. The scores from each course will be aggregated to determine the overall ranking.
The stages will not be available on YouTube and if feasible, the waiting areas will be obscured. The scenarios for the stages can be found below.
Competitors will be divided into three squads, each consisting of 20 individuals. Each squad will rotate through the courses in time segments known as "Ops." During each Op, a competitor will start or "Bailout" on a designated course and must complete it within a "Cutoff" time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. The subsequent bailout times for Ops 2 and 3 will be exactly 2 hours and 20 minutes after the previous one. Run intervals will be set at 5 minutes. To reduce wait times, stages that can be completed quickly will have a 2-minute Par time. Distance rifle stages will have variable Par times. Should excessive wait times delay a competitor's start for the next Op, their tardiness will be overlooked.
There is a tight schedule with assigned times. It is imperative that competitors are on time for their bailout. If they miss their bailout time, time will start whether they are ready or not. Return time will be recorded and any time waiting for the next bailout will be free. Failure to make the 2-hour and 20-minute Op cutoff time, excluding wait time, will result in a DNF for that Op run.
For the first operation, from 0730-0950 hours, bailout times and course assignments will be announced ten minutes prior to the bailout time. Competitors must then collect the appropriate kit for the course and depart at the designated time. For the second operation, from 0950-1210 hours, course assignments will be provided to competitors returning to HQ from the first operation. They must then collect the appropriate kit for the course and depart at the designated time. For the third operation, from 1240-1430 hours, competitors will know their course assignments. They must then collect the appropriate kit for the course and depart at the designated time. Any competitors remaining on the course after 1605 hours will have their wait time reviewed. If they exceed their allotted time, they will be retrieved and returned to HQ, receiving a DNF for the operation and any stages not completed.
Due to the competition's complexity, the match is capped at 60 participants for the full event. Additionally, there are 5 standby positions available for each course, catering to those not participating in all three. Competitors not running all three courses will be uncompetitive for the overall. The cost for full participation is $300, while standby registration for each course is $100 Standby participants are assured a spot, albeit at an unspecified time during a designated operation.
DATE AND TIME:
Friday, March 7th - 0630 Range Officers Safety Brief and Competition
Saturday, March 8th - 0630 Participant Safety Brief and Competition
Setup will occur the week prior from Monday March 3rd -Thursday March 6th. Volunteers much appreciated and housing in the Rock House is available.
AOR:
HW Lewis Ranch Campground
3932 Ranch to Market 336, Leakey, Texas 78873
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Mandatory safety briefs at 0630 each day of competition. Briefs will start promptly on the at the campground cabin. Roll call off roster, first operation and bailout times will be assigned, then safety instructions. Then we will bailout! Bring everything you will need on the course.
***NEW**** We will vet competitors by doing weapons handling skills checks for pistols and maybe rifles. This will be supervised by designated HQ staff or MD only. Skills checks will be performed with weapons unloaded with empty magazines and no ammo present. Those who pass a weapons handling skills check will be privileged to carry pistols hot between and during stages including hot holstering. Those who do not attempt or fail skills checks will be made to carry pistols cold and clear pistols before holstering. Carbines, PCC’s, and rifles will always be carried cold between stages, but during stages being vetted may be beneficial. If you don’t like being treated differently, become proficient. Skills checks proceedures can be found on rules page.
Check in at the start table and receive instructions pertaining to your course. When told to leave, go! Pistols will stay holstered at all times during the course unless directed by a range officer to do otherwise.
Once started on your run, you are now on your scored run time that factors into overall score. Follow all course specific high visibility flagging and signage. The course is well flagged. If you have not seen a flag for a while, you are lost, stop and go back to your last flag to pick up the next. There are no shortcuts without flagging and you may wander into an impact area. Caution tape is hung for a reason, do not cross it. Do not go to stage canopies that your flagging does not lead to, that’s not your next stage. Red and white arrow signs with “P" for pistol, “C” for carbine, and “R” for rifle will designate hard turns or spurs on your specific course.
Other than pistols in holsters, you will show a clear weapon to RO’s upon arrival. You may then start your wait time only if there is a line to shoot or the stage is shut down for maintenance or safety. You are responsible for tracking your wait time. If there is nobody shooting when you arrive then you get no wait time. If you need extra time, it is on your time not RO’s time. Shooters will shoot in the order that they arrive at the stage. Once an RO asks for your wait time, you are back on scored time.
Range officers will give fair verbal stage briefs in clear and concise language. Pay attention! They will answer questions, but not answer questions that allows a shooter to game the stage. If the stage is backed up, RO’s will give group briefings. If part of group which has received the brief, no further brief will be given and the next shooter should be ready at the directed position when the previous shooter has finished. Stage backups will happen, but need to be kept to a minimum.
Once up to shoot, follow RO commands as the stage design dictates. No time will be given to admin gear or do stage recon. Upon the beep of the shot timer, shooters will perform the stage while strictly adhering to all firearms safety rules. RO’s will only coach a shooter if the stage design/order is not adhered to or if the shooter is struggling. Once finished with the stage, RO’s will record your shoot time on the card and send you on your way. Get your stuff and leave. Do not linger. What RO’s say goes, do not argue.
Repeat the above procedures from stage to stage and so on until back to the start table. Show a clear weapon one more time other than pistols in holsters. Give the RO your score card. You are done, good job! Go recuperate and hang out until awards.
COURSE OF FIRE:
Red Dawn
Soviet Union suffers worst wheat harvest in 55 years. Labor and food riots in Poland. Soviet Troops Invade. Cuba and Nicaragua reach troop strength goals of 500,000. El Salvador and Honduras fall. Greens Party gains control of West German Parliament. Demands withdrawal of nuclear weapons from European soil. Mexico plunged into revolution. NATO dissolves. United States stands alone.
Round counts subject to change during setup. Stages are blind, so don’t worry you’ll be fine!
Pistol/PCC Course - 2 Min Par Times – Estimated 50 minimum hits. Shoot with Pistol, PCC (no 5.7x28), or both. From Start until after P2, weapons must be fully concealed. If weapon is seen, a 15-min run time penalty will be added. After P2 may open carry.
P1 - "Way off course, very unusual." 8 hits, draw/deploy weapon from concealed carry.
P2 - "They can have my gun when they pry it from my cold dead fingers." 12 hits, draw/deploy weapon from concealed carry.
P3 - "It’s WW3 down there!" 20 hits
P4 - "Look what I’ve found, an Indian arrow.” 10 hits
Carbine Course - 2 Min Par Times – Estimated 60 minimum hits. Distances under 300y. PCC’s in all calibers allowed.
C1 – "All that hate is going to burn you up kid. It keeps me warm" - 20 hits
C2 - "Wolverines!” - 10 hits
C3 - “What’s a flank?” – 18 hits
C4 - "This violates the Geneva convention. Never heard of it!” - 12 hits
Precision/Designated Marksman Rifle Course - 3 Min Par Times – Estimated 21 hits. Up to 800y with shooting points bonus 1000y target.
R1 – “Going to the mountains, getting out of here!” – 6 hits
R2 - " We can hunt, we can fish, we can stay up here a long time " - 1 hit
R3 - "You laugh, or you cry, the wind just keeps on blowing" 6 hits
R4 - "I’m just going to stay here and listen to the wind for a little bit.” – 4 hits with 1 bonus hit. Hit the 1000y target and enjoy a points boost based on the percentage of competitors who also hit it.
LODGING:
Camping is free and encouraged on the ranch campground from Thursday night through Saturday night.
There are limited RV hook-ups at the campground with electric and water only, first come first serve. Overflow camping can be had at the Airstrip down the road.
There are numerous VRBO/Airbnb options in the Leakey area.
EQUIPMENT:
-A tourniquet is mandatory, other medical supplies highly suggested. Find training for the TQ and first aid. YouTube is a good start but don’t stop there.
-Water, bring more than you need.
-Snacks. The course will be ~3 miles each course for a total of ~9 miles, you’ll need them.
-Pack or load bearing equipment
-Required weapons, ammo, and magazines, see Rules.
-Safe pistol holster
-Proper clothing and footwear.
SAFETY:
-See Rules for comprehensive match safety regulations.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
-Cabin is limited to Range Officer staff only.
-Use the provided porta-potties if possible to conserve water in the camp shower house. If if the water runs out, that’s it.
-Cell phone reception is poor
-See Rules for comprehensive administrative directions. NO DOGS.
ADDENDUM:
