GHOST FIGHTER NVG ALPHA is a prerequisite for the GHOST FIGHTER NVG BRAVO course. 

Course Alpha Description: 

The Barrel & Hatchet GHOST Fighter Night Vision Courses are broken into two segments Alpha & Bravo. In the Alpha course  students will begin with zeroing equipment and gaining a solid understanding of the use of NVG’s and all equipment for night operations. Students will build a solid foundation of basic daytime tasks under the constraints of limited FOV (field of view) under night vision. The course is designed to build confidence using fluid adjustments of night vision devices and individual equipment. Students will also be exposed to different techniques to camouflage and hide from night vision devices as well as white light. This course drives the student to enhance and rely on other senses to make them as effective at night as they are in the day. In this course users will build their individual equipment and learn the lost skill of accessing their gear, through touch and feel. Students will be able to avoid obstacles and also move quietly through local terrain and move in different formations while utilizing techniques to enhance their senses in conjunction with NVG’s. During this course students will have to solve basic and complex problems as a group and individually. Basic firearms handling and night shooting techniques will be exposed to the student. 

Course Alpha

Items covered in this course: 

• Introduction to Night Vision basics/ challenges
• Familiarization of equipment, zeroing of IR Devices/ Optics
• Equipment configuration/ familiarization
• Practical skills, navigation/ terrain association
• Signaling techniques
• Formation/ movement
• Basic firearm handling, marksmanship

Required Equipment:

1. Night Vision Goggles
2. Wilcox mount/ RHINO arm
3. IR Strobe
4. Helmet Ballistic or bump
5. Ear protection
6. Eye protection Clear lenses
7. Rifle with accessory rail, 12 o clock position of rail must have the ability to allow top mounted devices for IR lasers and optics
8. IR Laser, IR flood, Weapons White Light
9. Flash Hider style muzzle device or suppressor. No Muzzle brakes due to excessive flash unless used with a suppressor
10. NVG capable optic or red dot. NVG-capable optics will be available for rental or purchase
11. 7 Mags with personal markings for ID
12. Gun Belt
13. Pistol with a weapon mounted light, preferred with Red Dot
14. 3 Pistol Mags with personal markings for ID
15. Assault Bag
16. Duty-style holster with active retention
17. Hydration Bladder or Nalgene/ canteen for water
18. Spare batteries for lights lasers optics and night devices
19. Rifle ammo carrier, Chest rig or Plate carrier
20. Long Pants, closed-toe shoes, preferably boots, hiking shoes
21. Notebook/ Pen
22. Headlamp preferred with red lenses
23. Handheld White Light
24. IFAK W/ 2x TQ’s

Optional Items

1. Bug Spray
2. Snacks
3. Camera
4. Gloves
5. Extra mags
6. Knee pads
7. Basic Tools for Maintenance

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

The GHOST Fighter Night Vision Courses Alpha will be scheduled as a single-day or two-day class in conjunction with the Bravo course. In order for the Bravo course to be scheduled stand-alone it MUST be attended by students who have completed the GHOST Fighter Alpha course.This course is NOT meant for new shooters. It is expected for students to have an extremely strong foundation in the basic fundamentals of pistol and rifle skills and extremely competent safety practices. Failure to demonstrate these skills is grounds for immediate removal from the course and NON REFUNDABLE.

Rental Equipment “Try Before you Buy” 

We understand that Night Vision equipment is an extremely costly and heavy investment, which is why we will have several rental units available for students to rent and use for the course. This program is made possible by our partnership with ADVANCED NIGHT VISION LLC. If you like the unit you are renting and would like to purchase the Night Vision Device, you can purchase that unit during the training event and the cost of the rental cost will be deducted from your unit price. This is what will be included in your rental package:

• GHOST Fighter Package $ 189
  • PVS 14 Night Vision Monocular w/ RHINO arm
  • Team Wendy Bump Helmet
  • AR15 Upper with IR Laser, IR Flood, White Light
• PVS14 with RHINO Arm $160
• Vortex SPARC red dot on 1.93 riser $ 40
• IR Laser w/ IR Flood $ 80

Prohibited equipment:

• War Sport LVOA-C, LVOA-S and LVOA-SP models are not allowed due to excessive muzzle flash that can damage night vision equipment.

• Lantac Dragon muzzle devices are not allowed due to excessive muzzle flash that can damage night vision equipment.

• Smooth rail/handguard rifles-due to the need to attach accessories, traditional handguards will not function in this course.

• Reloaded Ammunition is not allowed for use due to increased difficulty in diagnosing atypical malfunctions under night vision use.

• *In general, Compensator and Brake style muzzle devices are designed to maximize reduction in felt recoil, allowing a flatter shooting rifle, however these devices in general produce more visible muzzle flash and more felt concussive force near the shooter.  Because of these factors, students are strongly encouraged to use flash hiders and/or suppressors to minimize muzzle signature and prevent partner/team disruption in close proximity.