after action review: wargame 2021
OPERATION WAKING DRAGON
Official After Action Review - Wargame Oklahoma 2021
The code-name for this year's event was "Operation Waking Dragon" and focused on a World War III scenario on the Korean Peninsula. A company-level engagement, this year's wargames were some of the most competitive, intense, and fun we've seen in four years of Wargame Oklahoma. Our company commanders for this year were William Soto of Overwatch Tactics and Gus Dossey of JTC Tactical, leading the Western and Eastern forces respectively.
We'd like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors who do whatever it takes to ensure our players in great supply on, and off, the field. X-Customs, the Evike Outpost at High Ground Airsoft, Body Armor Vents, Rescue 1LLC, U.S. Elite Gear, Overwatch Tactics, JTC, Enola Gaye, Patch Forge, and more.
WARGAME 101
Wargame Oklahoma is not your traditional mil-sim experience. While being a competitive company-level wargame, we also try remind our players that this is only a game and, win or lose, true enjoyment comes from the friends and adventures we have along the way.
With that in mind, both sides are assessed and scored by the following metrics:
RESOURCE POINTS: capture and hold control sites designated Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie to generate resource points to call in special game assets. Special fragos will reward resource points as well.
FRAGO POINTS: complete more fragos than the enemy. Fragos are special missions handed out through the chain of command. Fragos will score your side frago points and unlock special abilities
SHENANIGAN POINTS: complete more shenanigans than the enemy. Engaging in shenanigans and encouraging an atmosphere of camaraderie and sportsmanship will earn your side shenanigan points. Winning the shenanigans point category gives your side a point bonus and could be the thing that breaks a stalemate!
SHENANIGANS BREAKDOWN
Please note, that this is not an exhaustive list of all shenanigans conducted over the weekend. Because of the nature of shenanigans, the best way to ensure your epic or stupid moment is counted is to catch it on video and share it on Facebook!
THE BALLAD OF BOB PART 1
Part of this year's operation included a game of "sensitive items". These are mascots elected by companies and platoons that must be protected at all costs. We've learned from this year that shenanigans need stricter ROE, however, the level of hilarity hit an extreme at this year's game because of how new shenanigans were to everyone.
Mere hours into the event Western HQ managed to snatch the East's sensitive item and proceeded to violate more than a few articles of the Geneva convention that night.
+2 Shenanigans to the West for more than one successful Bob-snatching.
+1 Shenanigans to the West for documenting "Bob's Night Out" and sending it to the enemy. (Warning! These photos are NSFW and for mature audiences only!)
NIGHT GAME SHENANIGANS
If interested, there's a night-game AAR on Facebook.
+1 Shenanigans to the East for making some noise (Facebook Link).
+1 Shenanigans to both factions for their Special Forces teams teaming up to survive and extract.
+1 Shenanigans to both factions for players forming impromptu alliances with the enemy to hunt their special forces.
THE BALLAD OF BOB PART 2
After his eventful night, Bob was taken by Western Forces to the church and tied to the second story as a morale boost for the troops sweating in Colleville. Though he flew for most of the day at 1PM Eastern forces managed to recover and free him.
+1 Shenanigans for the West for making an example of Bob.
+1 Shenanigans to the East for not leaving a man (dummy?) behind.
SEA SHANTIES
On the way into battle a squad of Eastern forces broke into song as they bumped along in a 13,000lb army truck.
+1 Shenanigans to the East for bringing the sea shanties. (Facebook Video Link)
TWINKIE EATING SHOWDOWN
After the Grog there was a challenge. A twinkie eating challenge. Overruled by the President of the Grog both sides were not allowed to elect a champion and the company commanders had to eat the twinkies themselves.
+1 Shenanigans to both sides for getting on their knees and going to town on some twinkies.
+1 Shenanigans to the West for Soto winning the Twinkie Showdown.
JOE'S SNATCH
In an effort to make up a last minute points deficit on Sunday, a lone Eastern Forces player named Joseph Gilbert managed to infiltrate the Western FOB and snatch the HQ's sensitive item the HOLY HAND GRENADE OF ANTIOCH. Because of his effort and a Western FOB weapon malfunction the Western Forces gave the player their item and a 10 second head-start before releasing a squad of airborne to retrieve the it. After a few minutes of epic chase the airborne caught up to Joseph halfway to his FOB and eliminated him, returning the item.
+1 Shenanigans to the East for snatching the grenade and making a good run for it with rabid airborne on his heels.
SWORD DUELS
At some point on Sunday the Eastern Forces began challenging Western players to duels!
+1 Shenanigans to both sides for having chivalry.
+1 Shenanigans to the East for winning the first duel.
EASTERN FORCES CONGA LINE
As part of a strategy to make up a points deficit at the end of Sunday, the Eastern forces unleashed their ultimate weapon... A conga line...
+1 Shenanigans for the East for getting down with it.
+1 Shenanigans to the East for leading the parade with a sensitive item (black flag) of the enemy.
WESTERN FORCES MOPP TEST
Toward the end of the day on Sunday, Western HQ thought it would be a good idea to test their troop's chemical attack readiness by purposefully dropping a chemical strike on a friendly position.
+1 Shenanigans for the West for helping make sure their troops are ready for anything.
HUMVEE YELLING FLIRTATIONS
A Western forces Humvee was spotted multiple times giving out water to troops on both sides and yelling flirtations at pedestrians.
+1 Shenanigans for the West for their vehicle always lending a helping hand.
MISCELLANEOUS SHENANIGANS
In no specific order here are some additional shenanigans witnessed over the course of the weekend.
+1 Shenanigans to both sides for the two players from both sides holding hands and skipping across the battlefield.
+1 Shenanigans to both sides for the green ghillie sniper and tan rifleman who worked together to resolve a uniform issue.
SHENANIGANS SCORING:
West came out on top this year in Shenanigans, however, it was very close. Winners of this category get an additional +3 victory points applied after resource and frago points are accounted for.
scoring and game BREAKDOWN
DEPLOYABLE SITES
The company commanders had the challenge of placing down special gameplay assets for this event. As part of their pre-planning they seleccted 4 Landing Zones for their airborne to use and pre-positioned anti-aircraft units to deny the other side air assets.
Revealed in the adjacent picture are the placement locations for both sides revealed for everyone to see.
phase i scorings - saturday morning
EASTERN FORCES
RESOURCE POINTS: 7
FRAGO POINTS: 3
POINTS TOTAL: 10
WESTERN FORCES (WIN)
WESTERN FORCES (WIN)
RESOURCE POINTS: 10
FRAGO POINTS: 4
POINTS TOTAL: 14
phase ii scorings - saturday afternoon
EASTERN FORCES (DRAW)
RESOURCE POINTS: 1
FRAGO POINTS: 1
POINTS TOTAL: 2
WESTERN FORCES (DRAW)
RESOURCE POINTS: 2
FRAGO POINTS: 0
POINTS TOTAL: 2
*note - this phase ended prematurely due to lighting. Next year, contingences will be better relayed during orientation so we can squeeze in more gameplay after a weather event.
phase iii scorings - sunday morning
EASTERN FORCES
RESOURCE POINTS: 8
FRAGO POINTS: 1
POINTS TOTAL: 9
WESTERN FORCES
RESOURCE POINTS: 16
FRAGO POINTS: 2
POINTS TOTAL: 18
*note - the Western forces had a numerical advantage going into this phase. Attrition is a part of battle and it's important for players to drink water and for officers to encourage their troops to hydrate at all times.