#operatorgator

[operatorgator-blog]

Install Towards Threat (Part 1 of 3)⁣ ⁣ A SOF weapons expert posing next to an enemy bullet lodged in a GMVs armor. He's holding a .50cal Barret rifle.⁣ ⁣ The weapons guy here was in command of our support by fire element that was setting up with 81mm mortars, alongside a GMV w/ a Mk19 & another w/ an M2, atop a ridge above an enemy controlled valley.⁣ ⁣ Apparently, we were a big target up there and after about 5 minutes we began receiving small arms fire. Luckily, the enemy was far enough away that they were aiming for the trucks instead of individuals.⁣ ⁣ I remember scrambling for cover as I got shot at from one side of the truck. I watched "Pete" here jump out and return fire Vietnam Commando style (squatting & hip firing) w/ his m203 slung beneath his m4. Even though I was scared out of my mind that made me laugh and made it easier.⁣ ⁣ Continued in Part 2...⁣ ⁣ #operatorgator #warstories #combat #ucp #gaycu #boonie #barret #50cal #gmv #warfare #sof #specialoperations #barreta #m9 #m82 #762mm (at The Ridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4hfW7hAvCa/?igshid=176rqlgs8jbv

[operatorgator-blog]

Welcome to the moon...⁣ ⁣ The landings weren't faked.⁣ ⁣ These GMVs were incredibly heavy w/ all their armor upgrades, weapons, & especially ammunition carried.⁣ ⁣ So, true off-road driving could be difficult. Despite the weight, however, these GMVs could be driven almost anywhere & even on steep slopes.⁣ ⁣ A driving technique called brake-throttle modulation allowed us to keep power to the wheels of the trucks & to keep them from slipping & sliding while traversing steep terrain.⁣ ⁣ #operatorgator #sof #specialoperationsforces #gmv #generaldynamics #themoon #warfare #combat #desert #mountains (at The Moon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B374k8gpjPU/?igshid=su7shdh2icxa

[operatorgator-blog]

The mountain team of the company got hit by an ambush kicked off w/ a remote RPG launched from some tree branches.⁣ ⁣ From the pix we can see where the RPG round entered the roof on the left, middle of the GMV. Luckily, it did not detonate.⁣ ⁣ The round skipped off the turret ring & roof, showering the GMV occupants with shrapnel before it punched out the right, rear armor plate.⁣ ⁣ Three of the occupants were wounded & one would require surgery for a hand tendon. (I'll post some of those wound pix next post.)⁣ ⁣ The team stopped & fought, found the launcher, & uncovered an IED set in place further up the route for them.⁣ ⁣ This was a bad valley in an infamous Province where many different SOF units would, unfortunately, lose a considerable number of their fighters over the next two years.⁣ ⁣ The mountain team got mini-guns for their GMVs just after this attack. One of the gunners said his gunfire resembled that jungle scene from Predator. He mowed down an entire apple orchard during that next ambush.⁣ ⁣ #operatorgator #mountainteam #sof #specialoperationsforces #warfare #combat #rpg #ambush #cleverhadj #gmv #hmmwv (at Apple Orchard Falls) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zn5kUhU7R/?igshid=uekke7b6qiaf

[operatorgator-blog]

I broke two axles...⁣ ⁣ Driving the War Hammer across this creek. Not an uncommon occurrence, unfortunately, for this deployment but this creek crossing was one of the worst.⁣ ⁣ As the driver, the truck & most of everything in it were my responsibility. So when I broke the axles, I had to help the mechanic fix them.⁣ ⁣ Luckily I didn't need to help too much bc our mechanic was awesome. ⁣ ⁣ My next post will cover more about the trucks or GMVs as they're known.⁣ ⁣ #operatorgator #gmv #sof #specialoperationsforces #offroad #warfare #combat #airsoft #badass #m240b #ar15 #50cal #guntrucks (at Schitt's Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rkqWhJ2X1/?igshid=czgly54jtvgu

[operatorgator-blog]

When you've got an uncle, Mike Morris, who is a freelance artist...⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Sometimes he puts your face, & that of a Chris O'Donnell lookalike, on advertising for patriotic companies that support our troops.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ This was quite a few years back. I don't know where the image was used by Smithfield's but I do have a T-shirt from them with the image on the back.⁣⁣ ⁣ Mike also did a piece with an Afghan child in front of an ANA truck. You can check him out here: @morrisimagination⁣ ⁣⁣ #operatorgator #smithfieldsbbq #patriotic #supportourtroops #advertising #3rdsfg #chrisodonnell #topgunmaverick⁣ #morrisimagination #freelanceartist (at Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3p6S0_AXMN/?igshid=1u7nwsolre439

[operatorgator-blog]

A SOF medic, carrying the pig (m240b) & ammo, takes a break on a mountain side...⁣ ⁣ Somewhere between friendly & enemy controlled valleys in a war torn province. The team sergeant looks on, motivation emanating from his aura.⁣ ⁣ This was a recon mission to determine if enemy forces were indeed traversing the mountain paths between valleys as was believed.⁣ ⁣ #operatorgator #recon #multicam #mountainwarfare #combat #sof #specialoperationsforces (at The mountains) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3iu2DOANMw/?igshid=sy84sci3xxm5

[operatorgator-blog]

The MC & Gramps ready to roll...⁣ ⁣ Comms check w/ higher command & then head out.⁣ ⁣ The Mad Chihuahua was the team sergeant & Grandpa was the senior engineer.⁣ ⁣ Both rode in the War Hammer, aka V3, always the last vic in convoy.⁣ ⁣ Grandpa looks like a thumb here.⁣ ⁣ #operatorgator #gmv #sof #specialoperationsforces #combat #warfare #warhammer #thumbhead #badasses https://www.instagram.com/p/B3dSw7jgy0Y/?igshid=1l38vre0mz263

[operatorgator-blog]

A beautiful morning...⁣ ⁣ Ready to head outside the walls.⁣ ⁣ GMV's staged. Weapons & comms checked. Terps notifying local troops & police of the team's activities for the day. ⁣ #operatorgator #gmv #sof #specialoperationsforces #combat #mountainwarfare #machineguns #sunrise #anotherworld (at Sunset Strip) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3U1q3IgFis/?igshid=1ezdi7frbu6ui