Makes a great headline, doesn't it?

Well, Doc Bock, our team physician whom I affectionately call Witch Daktari, decided to put all his fired brass into his carry-on case. The X Ray during security clearance spotted it and a supervisor was called. He determined that it was a threat, grabbed Doc's passport and called the Heathrow Police which dispatched three officers. The security line was shut down for 30 minutes and Doc was temporarily detained. One of the security officers asked if these empty cases could be dangerous. One of the cops of sane mind said that they could be if he threw them at someone. The cases were removed from the carry on and transferred to check in baggage and our Doc escaped a bread and water diet.

Other news. While I mentioned that the Individual F-Class Championship was won by a British team member, I failed to mention his name. The winner was Gary Costello. Gary is a great guy and very humble about the whole thing, unlike at least one member of the British Team who made a lowly comment on Long Range Forum. Gary also helped the US Team with clearing our ammo shipment through British Customs and moving it to Bisley. Thank you Gary. Most of the Brits were very friendly and Mik was a wonderful host. I shot in the Imperial matches alongside Adam Brough, an 18 year old that is a natural born shooter. This kid slept in a tent, cleaned his gun only once during the whole event and was nonchalant when he showed up in the morning to shoot the first match. Yet, when he started shooting, he beat many a veteran shooter quite handily. His older brother, Daniel Brough is an equally talented shooter. Alan the photographer was wonderful and has taken some spectacular photographs of all the shooting during the two weeks. Good job, Alan. Most people around the Bisley camp were very friendly and the ladies at the Surrey Club were just great with the meals.

As far as our USA Shooters go, I would have to say that the most consistent shooter was Jeff Traylor. He plain shot flat and had very little vertical, if any, throughout the entire two weeks we were there. Many others shot very well and we won many medals at various distances. We had three scope failures that we contended with. Larry Bartholome had scope failure in the first week, but he came prepared with a back-up scope. Dean Morris also had a failure before the team matches started. I had trouble with my scope during the last couple of days. It is what it is and we do not make excuses, just report facts. Larry made a comeback and had to shoot off against Gary Costello for the 800 yard aggregate during the Individual World Championship match. Very exciting to watch. Almost the entire British team and our team gathered at the 800 yard line to watch the shoot off. One sighter and 5 shots for record. After that if they were still tied, it would be sudden death. Gary takes a sighter shot, a 4. Larry takes a sighter, a 4. Gary shoots a V, Larry shoots a V. Gary shoots a 5, Larry shoots a 5. Gary shoots a 4, Larry shoots a 4. Gary shoots a V, Larry shoots a 5. It was fun to watch two very good shooters duel it out like that. The wind was rough and they both read it well. Gary won the shoot off by one V.

During the entire 15 days or so that we were in Bisley it rained at least 10 of those days, sometimes light rain, sometimes a good downpour. We had such a downpour during the 900 yard stage of the last day of the World Championship. John Brewer and I were the last two shooters and we were both in the middle of our strings. Huge downpour. I had my full rain suit on and had the action covered up, except that I had the muzzle open. Forgot that I had a plastic cover for the muzzle in my range bag. After about a 10 minute beating the rain stopped and John Brewer took a shot. His barrel had got water in it and he shot a miss. Coach Mead told me to tip my stock up to let the water out from my barrel. I held it in that position for at least two minutes and then took a shot as called by the coach. Did not have any issues with my shot. The Brits also shot a miss, but it was one of their sighters so they did not lose any points.

I will keep the blog going as I get more reports from teammates and as I remember more things.