One of our field sponsors, Ettiene from Ixopo Towing, gives us a sneak peak into his experiences at AA.. and what a phenomenal story it is.
It was the 23rd March. A day, hot as hell itself. Somewhere, deep in the dense, humid green jungles of Westville.
You guessed it. I am a “grunt” older than most. On a search and destroy mission. Behind enemy lines.
Out of breath, with my FN rifle feeling like lead in my arms..I take a knee. Sweat dripping from under my bush hat stings my eyes. Looking and listening for the ever present enemy lurking around me. “Where are they?” Unable to see 5 Metres ahead of me. Its a wall of green sticky jungle with a maize for narrow winding foot paths. I check behind me… oH NO!!… He is gone. My team mate. I’ve lost sight of him. “What happened” was it a silent kill…… Panic sets in. Is the enemy behind me?… I have to move. NOW!!
I put my FN in the low ready position and quickly scan the jungle around me……. I’m alone… GOOD, time to move.
Keeping my eyes and ears open for the ever elusive enemy. They are close, I can feel it. I push forward up the path. Trying to stick to the shadows.
CRACk. A snap of a dry branch.. my ears are up. Heart pounding. I’ve stumbled upon the enemy. I’m in his den.. I freeze….. VOICES.. straight ahead. I shoulder my rifle. Green dot focused on the path ahead.
Movement. SNAP💥 I get off the first shot. “HIT” kill shot. Tango down. Suddenly all hell breaks loose. The jungle becomes alive. He was not alone. I was in contact with a enemy kill squad..
Pop pop pop. Gun fire back and forth. Rounds zipping close past me. Leaves raining down on me. Cracks and snaps of round hitting the trees around me…
I’m in trouble. I need to get out of here. I’m pinned. I have to fight. Pop pop pop. HIT!.. second tango down. The third makes a run for it.
Do i chase?…. No I break and duck into the jungle and start escape and evasion tactics.