Tactical Tracking Operations Course

OPEN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY PERSONNEL

Presented by a training Partnership with Direct Action Vertical Inc. and Six Six Solutions LLC

This is a full-length tactical tracking operations course targeting law enforcement special operations personnel and officers assigned to remote patrol locations or tasked with man tracking of armed fugitives. Tracking an armed subject is the most dangerous operation law enforcement is called to deal with, where the suspect has most of the technical advantages. To give officers back some of that advantage, teams need to turn to the art of tracking, camouflage, noise discipline, specialized small unit counter-ambush patrol tactics, and be independently capable of handling medical emergencies in remote areas. This course will give officers the skills needed to track a subject through moderate terrain in the safest manner possible, and deal with actions on contact. (NOTE: This is a 4 day condensed course, 40 hours in 4 days.) OPEN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY PERSONNEL

Prerequisites: All participants should be in physical condition for arduous duty and be able to work/operate an entire day in a cold or hot, wooded and alpine environment. Officers should already be proficient in special operations weapons handling. 

Skills Trained: Rules of tracking, tracking cards, tracking sticks, action indicators, stride records, preserving track evidence for court, use of force considerations, tracking team formations, lost track procedures, sign cutting for vehicles and facility security, clearing danger areas, actions on contact, counter ambush tactics, basic combat casualty care, downed officer extrication and transport, suspect handling post arrest in remote setting, boobytrap detection, camouflage, noise abatement, setting up kit for woodland operations, firearms handling in team formations, patrol tactics, line item reports and visual acuity exercises. 

Course includes moderately advanced live fire exercises for familiarity with woodland operations gear, counter ambush drills, and downed officer extrication drills. 

Location of Course:  Redmond Oregon (First day location to be announced in student packets after registration.)

Course Dates:  June 13 through June 16, 2023. NOTE This is a condensed course (normally delivered as a 5 day/40 hour course). Expect long days. Each day starts at 0800 (locations will vary daily) and ends approximately 1800, with a 45 minute lunch. (See tentative schedule below.) 

Contact Information:  Eddy Cartaya, 541-213-6257, [email protected]

Supplies/Equipment Needed:  Officers should bring their duty gear, issued rifle, 200 rounds of rifle ammunition, 50 rounds of handgun ammunition and all equipment that would be used in an outdoor tactical environment. Bring all range PPE for the live fire exercises, a small camouflage / earth tone pack (roughly 30 liters), small tape measure (12 feet), write-in-rain pad/pen/pencil, compass. GPS, sunscreen, sunglasses, medical kit, team communications. Full gear list (including first day packing list) will be sent out upon registration.

Attire:  Field duty / tactical uniform / camouflage. Sturdy boots. Inclement weather gear.

Weather:  Course will go rain or shine (safety stops called if lightning is observed).  Come prepared to be outside most of the time (sunscreen, sunglasses, rain gear, etc.).

COVID:  All instructors are vaccinated.  We will have masks, and ample hand sanitizer on station if you need it.  You are not required to wear a mask on rope unless you are actively performing a close quarters intervention with an unvaccinated subject.  Have a mask on your person at the ready at all times.

Restrooms:  There will be a porta-potty and hand washing station on site.

Water / Coffee:  Please bring a Nalgene or water bottle. We will have water coolers with water and Gatorade on the tables at the tower.  There will also be a large coffee dispenser and fixings on the porch.  You may help yourself.

Food:  Each day will include a 45 minute lunch. Students should bring a sack lunch each day.

Smoking:  If you smoke, there will be designated butt cans and areas.  Fire hazard is always being monitored.  Please do not throw any butts on the ground at any time.

Firearms Safety:  Weapons will be cleared by firearms instructors each morning, after lunch, and each time you return to the training area.  If you have a chamber flag for your weapon, please bring it.  

Area Lodging:

Eagle Crest Resort, 1522 Cline Falls Road, Redmond, OR.  97756

Sleep Inn & Suites, 1847 NW 6th St, Redmond, OR.  97756

Comfort Suites, 2243 SW Yew Ave, Redmond, OR.  97756

Riverhouse on the Deschutes, 3075 N Hwy 97, Bend, OR.  97703 (Phone: (541) 639-3481)

Element Bend, 1526 NW Wall St, Bend, OR.  97703 (Phone: (541) 585-7373) 

Tentative Course Daily Schedule: 

Tuesday, June 13:  Intro, admin, tracking operations overview, rules of tracking, definitions, camouflage, spoor cards, tracking stick, action indicators, reconstructing actions, tracking evidence processing (casting and photography), kit and gear for tactical tracking, tracking kit configuration, micro tracking lanes

Wednesday, June 14: Medical TCCC considerations, use of force, effective range, cover shadow, intro to tracking team formations, team formation walk through / basic team based tracking, lost spoor procedures, road and hill danger area crossing

Thursday, June 15: Incident operations, communications, LiNDAT reports, actions on contact phase 1 and 2, tent take downs (auditory targeting demo), sign cutting (lanes, vehicle, structures), cover shoot live fire exercise

Friday, June 16: Suspect handling and transport, mission pre-brief, mock tactical tracking mission, mission debrief / AAR, course critique, graduation

Any questions, special needs, or concerns, please contact Eddy Cartaya ([email protected]) or at 541-213-6257.