T2000: WHITEOUT (v2.2 PBP Campaign)

[M-Type]

Well, more like T1997.

I've been kicking around with my other thread about the tank campaign idea, and I feel that I've reached a crossroads. WHITEOUT is going to be a campaign taking place during the Twilight War, with the PCs in the shoes of 10th Infantry Division (Mountain) soldiers mobilized to Alaska to defend against the Soviet offensive there.

(I need to do some digging on the 10th, but my plan is to make the PCs part of a mechanized battalion, a squad with their M113. Mostly because I devoured that Field Manual :p)

I chose an Alaskan campaign (X US Corps) because I didn't come up with a lot of info while doing some digging, with the timeline ending with the US forces pushing towards Juneau in 1998. I feel it gives me a little wiggle-room to really sink my teeth into it and come up with something original.

It'll be using v2.2, with the PCs being US soldiers (it was still "early" in the war, no time for cross-nationality stuff yet) in the 10th. As long as the PC ends up in the Army before war breaks out, I'm happy (I know Enlisted/Mountain is one of the options, but I won't regulate that you choose it. It probably wouldn't hurt though ;) )

My laptop is in the shop for fixing, so it won't be starting up yet, plenty of time for questions and (hopefully) answers!

ALSO: If anyone does have more information on the X US Corps and the war in Alaska in general, I'd be mighty grateful if you shared it.

[Legbreaker]

You might want to include Canadians as an option also since the Soviets wouldn't have been taking national boundaries between the US and Canadians too seriously. It's a sure thing Canadians would be in the region (especially since there are references to Canadian units slated for Korea being held back due to the Soviet landings).

It's worth noting the invasion of Alaska occurred shortly after nukes (tactical) were first used. It would appear the Soviets were banking on their nukes to do nasty things to the US ability to respond effectively and therefore it's likely the Soviets had been planning both the invasion and use of nukes for some time. As many have commented, an invasion of Alaska/Canada doesn't really seem logical and so the US and Canadian forces may have been caught napping. Could be an element you might consider integrating into your game?

[M-Type]

My idea for the beginning bit was utter boredom, I mean, you're stationed in Alaska! You don't even get decent TV reception! WTF!!

All the while they'd be getting snippets of news from Korea/Europe/CONUS...

Then there'd be reports of Spetsnaz units on the ground. Then maybe a raid or two...then BAM.

Tactical nukes start flying. Everyone discusses what could possible be going down on the other side of the world.

Then BAMAGAIN.

Soviet landing forces are seizing the coast and such.

It does note that Canadian units held their border, as the 47th got pushed back to said Canadian border.

"Outposts of 47th Infantry Division in Alaska are attacked by Soviet Spetznaz units followed by 2 arctic mechanized brigades; they are pushed southeast in heavy fighting over the Canadian border where they were reinforced by elements of the Canadian army."

It should be noted I'm using this (http://www.d20.demon.nl/t2k/t2ktime.html) timeline.

EDIT: I could switch it so the PCs are in the 207th Infantry Group AKA 2nd Infantry Brigade (Arctic). They get a piece of all the action in the "listed" campaign. They're also one of the first to come in contact with the Soviets.

And also, on the nuke thing, America hasn't been bombed yet, as it's only July 1997. I'd have to go re-check the timeline to see if nukes were used closer to that time in Asia/Europe. I'm pretty sure they were in Asia at least.

[M-Type]

Coincidentally enough, the one nuke target in Alaska just happens to be Elmensdorf AFB (from the v2.2 rules, I don't use the timeline, I just use the nuke targets). Which just happens to be abutting Anchorage. Which happens to be the city the 2nd Infantry Brigade is protecting in July 1997.

Maybe instead of abandoning Anchorage, some units manage to hold out 4 months instead? :p

[Cdnwolf]

Now to make it real fun... put the game in the middle of winter... guerrilla attacks in a raging snowstorm would be fun.

[M-Type]

Since the Soviets attack in June...the PCs will have to hold out a long time! And survive the Nuking of Anchorage (which I'm sure will be a huge part of this campaign) will be pretty key.

In looking at historical weather data of Kodiak Island (where I'm starting it), the average temp of June 1997 was 48.5 Fahrenheit.

There are huge gaps in the Arctic Campaign though, like from July-March '98, so I'm sure there'll be a place for Winterfest '97 in there somewhere.

I can't imagine anyone did much fighting though :D. At least the Russians are used to it, and it won't be Eastern Front,1941-42.

[M-Type]

For anyone interested, reading through this (http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-31-70-basic-cold-weather-manual.shtml) and this (http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-31-71-northern-operations.shtml) and a little of this (http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-7-7-mechanized-infantry-platoon-and-squad.shtml) would be useful to you.

[M-Type]

of course, having this in AK lets some ugly questions rear their heads:

What the hell do the Russians want with Alaska (Oil? Natural Beauty? Moose?)

and

How could an invasion survive without roads and such. There's a lot of mountains, and most transport is done by small prop planes. The Soviets are gonna have to blow A LOT of fuel just to move around, and the US troops can just plink away at them with their MGs and ADA.

Anyone have good ideas on how a Soviet invasion of Alaska would go down?

[Medic]

Probably they would try and take over any major settlement ashore and what they can't take, they nuke. Any major road, they take it over. Once most of the transportation infrastructure is under their thumb, they'll send in airborne and airmobile units to capture the smaller settlements and take down rest of the resistance.

[weswood]

My first thought was I don't want to get involved in a game in Alaska. I'm a Texas boy, I don't know jack about snow. And for some reason bears freak me out. Kind of scared of them. A friend asked me "Hey, you know the best way to hunt bears?" From inside a Bradley with a 25 mm chaingun!

Then I thought this might be fun, good roleplaying in it.

[M-Type]

Awww, you know it'll be fun. I don't know jack about Alaska either. But hey, you won't have to worry about fuel!

[Targan]

Coincidentally enough, the one nuke target in Alaska just happens to be Elmensdorf AFB...

Remember, that's the one nuke target hit with .5mt or larger. As GM you can nuke almost any target not listed in the strike lists with a nuke strike of less than 500kt and still not be in conflict with published material.

[Targan]

of course, having this in AK lets some ugly questions rear their heads:

What the hell do the Russians want with Alaska (Oil? Natural Beauty? Moose?)

They were coming to take out the young Sarah Palin, knowing that she had the potential to become the shining, conservative saviour of the Free World.

[Targan]

And for some reason bears freak me out. Kind of scared of them.

Hey, IMO that's a perfectly valid reaction. Bears scare me too. Even "normal" black bears and brown bears can kill you, but then you guys also have grizzlies and friggin' POLAR BEARS! (well, way up north anyways). And for a wild beast they're pretty darned smart, can outrun you, sniff out your hiding place, climb the tree you're hiding up or just tear the damned tree down. What's not to be terrified of that?

[M-Type]

They were coming to take out the young Sarah Palin, knowing that she had the potential to become the shining, conservative saviour of the Free World.

*currently re-writing entire campaign

anywho, if things don't get worked out...i've always thought the proposed invasion of Cuba (1962) would be interesting.

I got a solid base idea though.

[M-Type]

I'm still working out "who" the PCs should be. There's the 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne) or the 207th Infantry Group (Alaska National Guard).

The Airborne boys would certainly be more exciting, and it would easily justify moving rapidly around the state as the situation collapses. And air travel is the easiest way to get around Alaska! Just better hope everyone has their Parachute skills up ;)

[Targan]

This sounds like a great idea for a campaign. I'm not in a position to play but I look forward to seeing how it develops.

[Legbreaker]

It should be noted I'm using this (http://www.d20.demon.nl/t2k/t2ktime.html) timeline.
I believe that is essentially just a compilation of all the timeline elements from all the books.
2.x timeline is virtually the same as V1 except in a few small details (such as the German reunification). An examination of all the materials shows us that 2.x is 99% cut and pasted from V1.

What the hell do the Russians want with Alaska (Oil? Natural Beauty? Moose?)
Does it matter? Leave it a mystery for the PCs to mull over and throw in the odd clue here and there (they don't even need to make sense!) to keep them guessing.

How could an invasion survive without roads and such. There's a lot of mountains, and most transport is done by small prop planes. The Soviets are gonna have to blow A LOT of fuel just to move around, and the US troops can just plink away at them with their MGs and ADA.
By boat.
Most of the activity appears to have occurred along the coastline and up rivers. Provided the Soviets could get their hands on a few wells and refinery facility (even just build a small one) they could continue to use their hovercraft to great effect.
Probably they would try and take over any major settlement ashore and what they can't take, they nuke. Any major road, they take it over. Once most of the transportation infrastructure is under their thumb, they'll send in airborne and airmobile units to capture the smaller settlements and take down rest of the resistance.
100% agree.
Hey, IMO that's a perfectly valid reaction. Bears scare me too. Even "normal" black bears and brown bears can kill you, but then you guys also have grizzlies and friggin' POLAR BEARS! (well, way up north anyways). And for a wild beast they're pretty darned smart, can outrun you, sniff out your hiding place, climb the tree you're hiding up or just tear the damned tree down. What's not to be terrified of that?
Pussies.
They're not Drop Bears....
The Airborne boys would certainly be more exciting, and it would easily justify moving rapidly around the state as the situation collapses. And air travel is the easiest way to get around Alaska! Just better hope everyone has their Parachute skills up ;)
Everything is air-droppable at least once. :D
http://static.schlockmercenary.com/comics/schlock20081211.jpg?1297712557

[M-Type]

The only reason I wanted a reason was so I could wrap my head around it. I'll just let my players do the work! Also, does anyone have a good TO&E on a paratrooper regiment? And any sort of standard issue stuff they'd have?

[Legbreaker]

All worth looking over....
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/7-92/index.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/71-100-3/index.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/90-4/index.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/90-26/index.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/1-114/index.html

[Olefin]

By the way do you have "Boomer" - there is a good section there on winter equipment and what kind of equipment that the 10th might have in Alaska.

There is also the one module in the Return to Europe series that takes place during the winter and has good details on equipment there.

[M-Type]

By the way do you have "Boomer" - there is a good section there on winter equipment and what kind of equipment that the 10th might have in Alaska.

There is also the one module in the Return to Europe series that takes place during the winter and has good details on equipment there.

I don't have those :(

Paul's sight has stuff in the gear section that I'm pulling through. Oh, and I switched it from the 10th Mountain Infantry to the 501st Parachute Infantry. So the PCs would be paratroops/airborne. Granted, they still need cold weather gear!

[M-Type]

You do now... check you personal email in about ten minutes for the Boomer Module :D

Roger that!

[M-Type]

After pouring through the Soviet/American Combat Vehicle Guides, I'm glad I'm adding the 501st! There are A LOT of Soviet's to contend with ;)

The PC group will have their work cut out for them!

[Olefin]

Send me a private message with your email and I can send stuff I have from Boomer

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/susv.htm

The Small Unit Support Vehicle (SUSV) is a full tracked, articulated vehicle designed to support infantry platoons and similar sized units during the conduct of operations in arctic and alpine conditions. The SUSV can be used in all types of terrain, such as trackless terrain, rock, boulders, bog, marsh and water and from arctic cold to tropical heat. TheSUSV is a military vehicle designed for use as an all-terrain, amphibious, multi-role transport vehicle.

The system is a non-developmental item and produced in 4 variants; Cargo Carrier; Command, Control, and Communications; Ambulance; and Flatbed versions. The SUSV is designated in the following variants: M973, M973A1 (Cargo), M1065 (Command Control), M1066 (Ambulance), M1067 (Flatbed).

The M973 is also known as the BV-206 and is manufactured in Sweden by H�gglunds Vehicle AB (As of mid-2002, more than 11,000 units of the BV-206 had been produced and delivered to more than 35 countries). The vehicle was officially redesignated as the M973 upon purchase in 1983 by the US Army of 302 units. The US Army has since deployed the vehicle in Alaska, Norway and Germany, with the 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate) one of the units fielding the vehicle. As of January 2001, about a dozen SUSVs were located at Camp Dobol in Bosnia Herzegovina, and assigned to HHC 1-64 AR. These vehicles were considered vital to Task Force Eagle if the weather were to create black road conditions in which humvees and cargo trucks cannot use the roads, usually because of too much snow making the roads impassable.

The BV-206/M973 can be used to transport 17 combat equipped soldiers and is designed to meet tough military requirements for high mobility in all climates, with high reliability and low maintenance costs.

The NATO Vehicle Guide has game specs on it - do you have that publication?

[boogiedowndonovan]

Where is Grimace? He is this board's resident Alaskan. Haven't seen him in awhile, but he may have relocated from Alaska.

BTW, and I don't mean to come off as one of those "c-a-a-n-n-n-n-o-o-o-n"-ites, but 1-501 was part of 6th ID (L) in RL Cold War and post cold war Army. In your game, I take it that 1-501 was assigned to 10th ID or to X Corps directly?

regardless, good luck with the game!

[Medic]

The NATO Vehicle Guide has game specs on it - do you have that publication?

Actually it is in the American Combat Vehicle Handbook... ;-) And I already gave him the specs by PM.

Hijacking this thread for the second, Finns have both BV-206 and the domestically engineered (slightly more powerful) version NA-110 "Nasu" (=literally 'piglet').

[M-Type]

BTW, and I don't mean to come off as one of those "c-a-a-n-n-n-n-o-o-o-n"-ites, but 1-501 was part of 6th ID (L) in RL Cold War and post cold war Army. In your game, I take it that 1-501 was assigned to 10th ID or to X Corps directly?

Yeah, I knew it'd get mentioned eventually. In doing background trawling of the T2k timeline, it is established that the 6th ID (L) WERE stationed in Alaska.

47th Infantry Division (1st Minnesota NG, 34th Iowa NG and 66th Illinois NG Brigades) comes into federal service, and begins deployment by air and sea to Fort Richardson, Alaska, to replace the 6th Infantry Division (Light) of internal security duties.

This campaign starts on the (SPOILER :rolleyes:) eve of the initial invasion. So the 6th ID (L) are still around, but I figure they get routed or worse during the invasion, because they are never mentioned again. Gives me something to play with too :D I figure the survivors of the 6th ID will form into X Corps when the regrouping happens.

[M-Type]

I got all of the v2.2 vehicle books (American/Soviet/NATO/Nautical-Air), so I've got all the bases covered.

[Snake Eyes]

Where is Grimace? He is this board's resident Alaskan. Haven't seen him in awhile, but he may have relocated from Alaska.

BTW, and I don't mean to come off as one of those "c-a-a-n-n-n-n-o-o-o-n"-ites, but 1-501 was part of 6th ID (L) in RL Cold War and post cold war Army. In your game, I take it that 1-501 was assigned to 10th ID or to X Corps directly?

regardless, good luck with the game!


I'm one of those token Alaskan types, too. I think Grimace relo'd a while back. I left in '89 myself. Nice place to visit, but winter gets old quick.

The 6th ID (L) was stationed at Richardson & Wainwright during that era. Canon has them airlifted to Norway early in the war and later withdrawing to Germany. Not that it matters.

As a resident of Anchorage at the time, I always thought it was goofy that the 6th's light fighters were deployed and defense of the Last Frontier was left to the Mountain troops and a bunch of Lower 48 weekend warriors, but whatever. Turns out I wasn't the one it had to make sense to.

[Legbreaker]

As a resident of Anchorage at the time, I always thought it was goofy that the 6th's light fighters were deployed and defence of the Last Frontier was left to the Mountain troops and a bunch of Lower 48 weekend warriors, but whatever. Turns out I wasn't the one it had to make sense to.

Alaska wasn't exactly on the front lines or at real risk of being invaded. Makes sense therefore for reservist troops to take over from a regular unit for garrison duties. Hindsight of course tells us Alaska would soon become yet another front for the US and it's allies (in this case Canada) to worry itself sick over.

[M-Type]

Speaking of Canada, does anyone have any TO&E information on them? Didn't see them represented in the NATO guide (can't say I looked hard :rolleyes:), and I know later in the Alaskan Campaign they team up with American stragglers to hold the border, so I can see them counter-attacking back into Alaska, full force.

Not that that information is needed now, but I was curious.

[Olefin]

There is a Challenge Magazine article I havent seen on Canada (Canada 2000 in issue 30) - does anyone have that?

Other than that there is only the one entry I have seen on Canada in Going Home with the unit that is stuck in Poland.

I know there are other mentions too in Challenge Magazine but I havent seen them either - i.e. Red Maple and Native Canadian Ranger Regiment

[boogiedowndonovan]

I'm one of those token Alaskan types, too. I think Grimace relo'd a while back. I left in '89 myself. Nice place to visit, but winter gets old quick.

The 6th ID (L) was stationed at Richardson & Wainwright during that era. Canon has them airlifted to Norway early in the war and later withdrawing to Germany. Not that it matters.

As a resident of Anchorage at the time, I always thought it was goofy that the 6th's light fighters were deployed and defense of the Last Frontier was left to the Mountain troops and a bunch of Lower 48 weekend warriors, but whatever. Turns out I wasn't the one it had to make sense to.

Yeah, sending the 10th to Alaska/Canada instead of the 6th was one of the T2k things that had me scratching my head. I would think you'd want the 6th to go since they'd practically be in their own backyard. Easily fixed in my campaign though :)

Speaking of Canada, does anyone have any TO&E information on them? Didn't see them represented in the NATO guide (can't say I looked hard :rolleyes:), and I know later in the Alaskan Campaign they team up with American stragglers to hold the border, so I can see them counter-attacking back into Alaska, full force.

Not that that information is needed now, but I was curious.

It's in the 1st edition NATO Vehicle Guide. If memory serves correct, Canada was left out of the 2nd edition NATO guide. I don't know why though.

The Canadians on this board can provide much better info that what is in the 1st edition. It left out most of the Canadian militia (US National Guard/Reserve equivalent). There is also a Challenge T2k article floating around about Canadian Rangers, which is a reserve force that serves as guides and scouts when mobilized. A good number of Canadian Rangers are First Nation people (Native American/Indians in American speak).

Oh and the Anglo German brigade comprised of British and German units stationed in Canada.

-bdd

[Olefin]

Keep in mind that the US troops in Alaska were making attacks into Siberia before the Soviets invaded Alaska

if you look at the US Army Vehicle Guide those weekend warriors were pretty darn good troops

i.e.

1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE (Arctic Recon)
An Alaskan National Guard Brigade. The brigade came into
federal service on 7/3/96 and assumed responsibility for local
security and long range recon patrols along the Bering Straits.
Throughout the last half of 1996 and the first half of 1997, the
brigade mounted aggressive deep patrols across the Bering Strait
into Soviet territory and fought numerous small actions with
Soviet arctic forces.

In June of 1997 the brigade repulsed a
number of Soviet commando raids across the strait but was forced
to withdraw westward after Soviet arctic mechanized units
crossed to the U.S. side.

Now if you are talking about the weekend warriors of the 47th that is a different issue

i.e.

47TH INFANTRY DIVISION
A National Guard Division consisting of the 1st (Minnesota
NG), 34th (Iowa NG), and 66th (Illinois NG) Brigades. The division
came into federal service on 11/1/96 and began deploying
by air and sea to Fort Richardson, Alaska where it relieved the
6th Infantry Division (Light) of internal security duties. In July
of 1 997 outposts of the division were attacked by Soviet Spetznaz
units and shortly thereafter by elements of two arctic
mechanized brigades.

[Olefin]

You are right about the NATO guide - missed that in my first search. One thing is that it mentions Canadian troops in action against the Soviets on the Pacific coast but then has them in the Maritimes and not the Pacific.

I think that they meant to put them in British Columbia and not the Maritimes.

[M-Type]

I think that they meant to put them in British Columbia and not the Maritimes.

They just decided "Hell with this war!" and boogied on out. :D

[Olefin]

Actually I think they just messed up when they edited it - if I remember correctly those units they said were in the Maritimes are mentioned in other canon areas as being the units that engaged the Soviets in the Pacific.

if they did boogie thats a heck of a boogie - cant go much further unless you grab a trans-Atlantic ship.

[Cdnwolf]

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.php?t=756&highlight=Canada+OOB

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.php?t=2089&highlight=Canada+OOB

[HorseSoldier]

For a mech squad, the previously mentioned 47th ID is a more likely source -- at least for the vehicle. Of course, after the nukes and the fighting in theater, you could easily have some or all of one of 47th ID's mechanized battalions cut off with the rest of X Corps instead of withdrawn to the Pac Northwest.

Also, the T2K 10th Mountain Division was supposed to have one light motorized infantry battalion, which includes a company of LAV-25s, so that's an option. Or go with the idea that said battalion or the division's also-TK world light tank battalion got some M113s during reconstitution after the fighting in Norway.

Yeah, sending the 10th to Alaska/Canada instead of the 6th was one of the T2k things that had me scratching my head. I would think you'd want the 6th to go since they'd practically be in their own backyard.

10th Mtn got sent to Alaska as an emergency reinforcement. Going by the unit histories, 10th Mtn was out of the line reconstituting for a few months. 6th ID(L) was getting chewed up trying to force the Litsa River Line way up north in the same time frame.

Of the two divisions, 10th Mountain was the more capable option at the time when they needed troops for AK.

That said, I question the idea of taking 6th ID(L) out of Alaska at all -- in a universe where the Soviets were actually capable of pumping a couple Armies across the Pacific into Alaska and Pacific Canada, I'm increasingly skeptical about the logic of having less than a Corps or so to meet them there.

My personal order of battle for the region I've been pushing around on my hard drive for a while is X Corps made up of 6th ID(L), 47th ID reinforcing on mobilization, with 207th Infantry Group (Scout) and 208th Infantry Group (Lt Motorized) from the AK National Guard and 2nd Canadian Division.

AK National Guard notes: In real life, the AK ARNG at the height of the Reagan years had six infantry battalions. One was a round-out unit for 6th ID (in addition to 205th Infantry Brigade, USAR). Another one (maybe even two) were mechanized formations (taking over the heavy role back in the day, I think, when 171st and 172nd Brigades reroled from mechanized to light in the early 70s. The remainder were very light organizations with a special MTOE for the "Scout" status.

The six battalions are where I think GDW got their "1st & 2nd Infantry (Arctic Recon) Brigades," based on a list somewhere showing six battalions under 207th Inf Gp.

Personally, I sort of split the difference between GDW and reality and posit the post-1991 continued military buildup in the T2K timeline (1st ed) you get 6th ID(L) replacing the AK ARNG round-out battalion with 1-172nd Infantry (Mtn) out of Vermont. With six battalions to work with, the AK ARNG fields 207th Infantry Group (Scout) as a true light infantry brigade, and 208th Infantry Group (Lt Motorized) basically filling the armored cavalry role for the the 6th ID + 47th ID corps sized formation that US Army Alaska (USARAL back then, USARAK nowadays) would field on full mobilization.

208th has a specialized MTOE consisting of two SUSV-mobile light motorized infantry battalions (AK NG) and a light armored/assault gun battalion and artillery battalion out of the Minnesota NG (the armor battalion, 2-94 AR is fictional, but the artillery battalion is one of the ones on the Nato 1989 orbat which doesn't seem to otherwise have a home anyway).

I'm still working out "who" the PCs should be. There's the 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne) or the 207th Infantry Group (Alaska National Guard).

As other noted, 1-501st was part of 6th ID back then, and goes where they go, if they leave theater. (When 6th ID gets to Europe, I could see them getting rolled into SETAF, possibly forming or augmenting the 173rd Abn to Africa campaign idea . . .)

207th had an airborne reconnaissance unit (what would today be a LRSC, but back then I think they were called the 207th Light Recon Company (Abn) -- though by '95 "Long Range Surveillance" as a unit type might have been in the works) as well.

[M-Type]

Hmmm...that's a lot to mull over. I'll have to dip a little deeper and stir something up.

Worse comes to worse, everyone is Inuits! Dugouts versus Soviet Mechanized Divisions go!

(Granted, that just be the 207th Scouts, but whatever)

[HorseSoldier]

Inuit are Canadian, technically. Alaska eskimos are Inupiat (norther/northwestern part of the state) or Yupik (western Alaska). Both are very well represented in the modern day AK ARNG and the 207th back in the day, as well as Aleuts, Tlingits, and Athabascans (plus whatever other groups I'm maybe forgetting).

Lot of stories from back in the day about guys out in the Bush communities taking stuff home from drill -- like M60 machineguns -- just in case the Russians showed up unexpected. (And probably because if you could take a light machinegun home and keep it in your closet, wouldn't you?).

Also some stories floating around about when they started reorganizing the AK ARNG after the end of the Cold War and shutting down some of the armories in smaller Bush villages (some stayed open even if not needed because they doubled as town hall, the local jail, community centers, or the local school's gym). I'm told they found a half dozen M14s in one that no one seemed to have paperwork on anymore, have heard similar stories about a BAR being found in the same sort of circumstances. No idea if that's real or mythology, but it is definitely a whole different world out in that part of Alaska, for the National Guard and everything else.

[M-Type]

...And probably because if you could take a light machinegun home and keep it in your closet, wouldn't you?.


Most definitely. Just in case y'know? You can never be too prepared.