Lightfighter Patrol Field Exercise
This will be the 4th and FINAL Lightfighter Patrol Field Exercise of 2025. As always, this training event is on an invite only basis. If you would like to receiving an invite, check out our JOIN US page. Invites and sign up is by email.
As always, we will be improving this event based off the lessons learned from our previous events. This LPFX duration has been extended to 36 hours. Link up time is now NO LATER THAN 1900 (7pm) FRIDAY. This allows the PL to issue orders, conduct rehearsals, and step-off in the dark of the night.
This event is being hosted in CENTRAL MISSOURI. Further details on the AO, and Link up locations will be provided to participants as event date approaches.
Participants in attendance should expect a training focus including dismounted patrolling operations, troop leadership, land navigation, communications, and team building, all in a simulated non-permissive force-on-force environment.
For the FIRST TIME EVER, we are opening up an opportunity to Join the OPFOR. We have 3 spots open, on a first come basis, for group members who have previously completed a Lightfighter Patrol Field Exercise.
Participants should BE PREPARED to operate strictly out of their rucksack and fighting load for the duration of the event. Participants are responsible for all of their own food, water, sustainment, and hygiene equipment. Participants are expected to provide their own blank fire capable weapon system, with BFA AND blank ammunition. Necessary squad equipment may be dispersed amongst squad members. Lightfighters do not car camp, be ready to carry all your equipment and have everything you need.
Physical fitness is of paramount importance to participation. The LPFX is structured to be physically difficult. If you commit to training you are expected to complete the event. Persons falling out of training are a detriment to their team members, their training partners, and the entire event.
LINK UP PHASE: NO LATER THAN Friday 1900
When participants sign up for the event they will be given a location and no later time (NLT) to arrive for the event. Participants must arrive during the link up phase or they WILL MISS step off. We ask that all participants are packed and as prepared as they commute to the event as little prep time is available on site.
Participants may arrive at any time prior to the link up hard time, and will follow designated LINK UP protocols when arriving on site for the event. This includes following a communication protocol that will be distributed prior to the event.
All ‘day of’ communications during the LINK UP PHASE will default to radio, via public channels (typically MURS 3 or FRS 3). Upon arrival participants will be met by their teams leadership. They will conduct final planning, issue orders, conduct rehearsals and step off according to their OPORD.
Patrol Phase:
1900 Friday STARTEX —UNTIL—Sunday 0800 ENDEX
The Patrol phase will consist of the team of Lightfighters attempting to complete their mission set in a dismounted patrolling environment. This will be a BLANK FIRE training event, and each team is typically assigned an Observer Controller (OC). Force on Force Rules of Engagement (ROE) will be distributed and discussed prior to step off.
The LPFX is a PATROLLING focused event. However, there is always a designated Opposing Force (OPFOR) in the field as well. Both teams work separately to achieve their own separate mission sets, not simply bloody the other team into a pulp.
Gunfights with the OPFOR are bound to happen. However, understand that this is NOT our focus. The LPFX is a patrolling focused event. There are much more effective and realistic ways to train for the gunfight. However effective patrolling training requires the threat of OPFOR. Remember it's the journey, not the destination.
It is our expectation that this training lane will last well into the night and morning hours of Sunday. We have a HARD ENDEX time of 0800 Sunday morning. At ENDEX all training lanes will go cold, and all participants will link up and make their way back to the motor pool or link up point. It is our hope that everyone will have ample time to recover and return home safely before Sunday night.
F.A.Q.
Can I come?
Short answer. Yes. As long as you are a US Citizen or legal resident, non-felon, of sane and sober mind, and have a good attitude! However, just to be sure we do require that everyone gets in contact with us directly prior to attending! To receive and invite to an event, Go to our Join Us page to learn more!
What Do I Need to Bring?
In short, everything you need to operate safely and effectively as a Lightfighter in the field. As a group we do not provide any equipment and keep as little infrastructure as possible. This generally includes a serviceable uniform (preferable in OD green), a cap, socks and boots. You are expected to provide your own rifle or carbine, preferably in a NATO caliber, and more preferably blank-fire capable. You will need your own set of field gear, including at the minimum a rucksack, sleeping system, hygiene kit, rain gear, food, and water. You should also have a set of combat gear including ways to carry ammo, water, IFAK, and other mission specific equipment.
Is it hard?
We hope. But it should be fun, too. We are passionate about GOOD training. You should come fit, and expect to push yourself at times. We are not out to physically crush anyone. The operational pace will be balanced with time to recover between physical tasks, and allow everyone at least a few hours of sleep each night.
Physical Fitness
Physical fitness is the expectation. As a rule of thumb, participants should complete 3 separate 6 mile rucks in 90 minutes, with 35lbs dry equipment PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE. Participants should be capable of rucking their entire combat load, PLUS team equipment. Get good at walking. Your bench press is not important to us.
Where is the Event Located?
We are currently utilizing both public and private plots of land in the Central US. Typical AO’s are hundreds to thousands of acres. When you sign up for an event, you will be contacted by staff with coordinating instructions including link up location, parking areas, and local service stations. You will also be giving coordinating instructions for link up that you will use to contact the group the day of training, including a PACE plan, and signal instructions. We utilize this system for both OPSEC and as effective real time training.
Is this training?
We are NOT a training company, and no we do not directly provide any training. This isn't to say that you won't learn something new either! To us Lightfighter skills are a martial art, and we like the analogy of an “open matt”. Come willing to work hard, learn new skills, try new things, and maybe be willing to be a mentor yourself and you won't be disappointed.
To answer the question more specifically, we cover light infantry operations, dismounted patrolling, reconnaissance and security operations, signal/communications, emerging battlefield technology, troop leadership and organization, etc.
Can I bring a handgun?
Yes absolutely! Although we do not train with handguns, nor do we allow them in blank fire events (even if modified to shoot blanks!). So we ask that you keep it safely holstered during training! During blank fire events, all live rifle ammunition must be stored in a locked vehicle or away from the training site.
Camping Equipment?
We sleep on the ground, under the stars, sometimes in a fighting position. Unless we specifically state that we will be ADMINISTRATIVELY camping for a specific event. This is a place to use your field gear. No coolers, no chairs, no cots, no hammocks, no “car camping”.
What Radio?
For initial link up any ‘public’ radio capable of transmitting and receiving on FRS/GMRS or MURS is perfectly fine. This includes your Baofengs! We will often switch to more ‘private’ radio frequencies once assembled. For these purposes we are currently using the TYT390 PLUS, and can provide programming on site for participants.
What Food Do I bring?
Bring your own packable solutions and water. There will generally be 1 hour of time made available in the mornings and evenings for meal prep and personal hygiene. Better yet coordinate with your battle buddy and have him cook for you both. We don’t care!
Water resupply?
We encourage you to come prepared with enough clean water, and/or purification or sterilization options. Be smart. We attempt to refill while on patrol from natural sources. However, for emergencies we will always have clean water on site.
Where do I get blanks/BFA & how many?
Blanks are getting expensive! It is our hope that we can keep a few thousand in stock for training events and provide them at cost. This still is usually $15/ magazine. Be a diligent lightfighter and do your best to find deals and purchase your own prior to events!
We have a few extra USGI A2 style BFA’s that will attach to AR15 w/ A2 style birdcage flash hiders available for loan. However once they are gone they are gone. It is the lightfighters responsibility to provide their own safe training firearm and training blank ammunition.
We encourage you to carry a combat load of approx 300 rounds of blank ammo. However DO NOT expect to shoot this much. It becomes quite costly, and there are better ways to train for an actual gunfight.
If you absolutely cannot support blanks for an event, that is alright, shooting is only ⅓ of your lightfighter tasks. Come train anyways!
I don’t have ?
Reach out and let us know, we have community members with lots of extra equipment. We can find you what you need!
I want to support, but I cannot patrol?
We understand that sometimes due to injury or illness Lightfighters are not capable of physically committing to a strenuous patrol. If you find this to be your case, but you would still like to participate, we do still need your support. Contact us directly and let us know your availability.