Airsoft Action 04 - Xmas 2011 | Page 85

TEAM PROFILE [ SPECIAL OPERATIONS BRIGADE ] The Duchy of Grand Fenwick Special Ops Brigade is a team inspired by the novel and film The Mouse That Roared. Lawrence Holsworth has the lowdown H ailing from the Oxfordshire/ Buckinghamshire area, The Duchy of Grand Fenwick Special Operations Brigade is an airsoft team created in November 2009. The team is based upon a fictitious context inspired by the novel and film The Mouse That Roared. There is also an element of an homage to modern European special operations forces, equipment, tactics and procedures. Within such a fictictionalised (and tonguein-cheek) setting, we aimed to create a team environment that would be fun as well as unique. Another attraction of the Duchy of Fenwick concept was that it allowed us to break the mould and be a bit creative with our load-outs and reflect a more central European look. The concept struck an immediate chord among a number of the local ‘old hands’, most of whom are also either serving or ex-military. This helped us quickly slide into a common way of operating and interacting based on our military training. The overall purpose of the Special Operations Brigade (DGFSOB) is to provide the Duchy of Grand Fenwick with a rapidlydeployable unit, fully trained and equipped to conduct special operations from the moment of insertion by land, air or maritime assets. In particular, the unit performs the following missions: tactical reconnaissance and observation; intelligence and counter-intelligence; strikes, raids, search-and-destroy; interdiction and disruption operations. At the present time, the exact number of troops in the Duchy of Grand Fenwick Special Operations Brigade is a closely guarded secret. But photos of the SOB, on operations and in training, show that the team operates four or five man squads at a basic unit level. Beyond this it is clear from photographic evidence that the members of the Duchy’s Special Operations Brigade wear combat uniforms in the German ‘green-dominant’ Flecktarn camouflage pattern in the spring/ summer seasons and the Chinese ‘browndominant’ Highland camouflage pattern in the autumn/winter. It has also been seen that the SOB troops wear a dark olive-green beret with a gold badge comprised of a royal eagle surrounded by an oak wreath, and that the distinctive unit insignia consists of a winged mouse holding a dagger on a shield-shaped patch. In terms of individual weapons, the Special Operations Brigade uses the H&K G36KV carbine and MG36 light support weapon. ■ Profile and images provided by Lawrence Holsworth (even though he’s now in the States!). WANT YOUR TEAM FEATURED IN AIRSOFT ACTION ISSUE FIVE? It couldn’t be simpler – just send your profile (300-400 words) and hiresolution photos to: [email protected]. www.airsoftactionmagazine.com 085