Operation NIGHTCRAWLER – the Navy’s toughest urban overnight survival program – was originally designed in 2003. After getting lost during the 2007 mission and not having had the chance to redeem himself in 2008, Sailor Robin had been pleading with the Admiralty for a sixth installment of this unique naval operation. Pairing up with LTJG Beat Erne, a veteran survivor of all but the first mission, the two ably led the operation which will be remembered for a historically low drop-out rate. Clearly, this was the final proof that the grueling circuit training conducted earlier in the year had not only substantially increased the fitness levels among the crew, but also its survival skills, both off- as well as onshore.

The following is their report from the field:

Operation NIGHTCRAWLER VI officially commenced at 0000hrs from Admiralty HQ after the Navy’s Official End of Season Party, which at this time was still in full swing. As required by standard Operation NIGHTCRAWLER procedure, a detailed plan was worked out with scheduled rendezvous points at designated times to keep track of surviving members of the mission. The crew was well balanced with nightcrawler first timers (Sailor Serge, CFO Fred and Sailor Mel) as well as more seasoned and experienced participants (LTJG Erne, LTCMDR Streun, SOF James, Petty Officers Beck and Sinclair as well as Sailors Joerg and Robin).

0100hrs - the crew assembled at Typhoon in Wan Chai but quickly moved to an undisclosed location on a higher level for additional refueling.

0200hrs – all crew still on board and feeling the vibes in Dusk Till Dawn as a warm-up exercise.

0300hrs – two men down – Sailor Joerg and Petty Officer Beck leave the mission. The crew however received unexpected reinforcement in form of CPO “Marginal” Dave. The reinforcement however was of doubtful quality since Marginal’s target was not aligned with the one of the NIGHTCRAWLER crew, as his torpedo clearly pointed into another direction. Thus the reinforcement was quickly MIA just to be encountered again fuelling up at a different location an hour later. The incident has been reported to the Admiralty and is currently under investigation for court martial offences including “Failure to Report for Duty” and “Abandoning Crew in Heat”.

0400hrs – crew composition remains intact, but participants are surprised to find the relevant check point closed for good, indicating a lack of prior due diligence by the mission’s leadership. This comes as somewhat of a disappointment as the check point was rumored to have provided shower facilities – much appreciated after a long hot night in the urban jungle. Displaying trademark Navy resourcefulness and decisiveness, the platoon swiftly moves on to another undisclosed location for alternative close-body combat training.

0515hrs – Petty Officer Martin is forced to withdraw from the mission at the final check point, the Flying Pan, after a brief but hefty argument with the shopowners over a bottle of beer. Petty Officer Martin can consider himself lucky to thus avoid another mayonnaise punishment for not wearing the proper uniform to the Operation.

0605hrs – The seven remaining survivors of the Operation arrive at Deep Water Bay in time for the 0615hrs inspection by the Admiral. Despite the rigors of the mission, all Sailors are in good spirits and ready to conduct the final fitness test. Standard Operation NIGHTCRAWLER procedure would require a dragon boat paddle session at this point but due to the lack of an available steersman at this hour the Admiralty settled on twenty push-ups and a 200m swim in the ocean. Sailor Mel shows off his engineering skills by converting a plastic shopping bag into a pair of swim shorts, which earns him the admiration of the local swimming crowd.

0715hrs – The mission is declared accomplished and members return to their home base for a well deserved day of rest.

The Admiralty wishes to congratulate the following survivors of Operation NIGHTCRAWLER VI and commend its joint leaders, LTJG Beat Erne and Sailor Robin on a job well done:

LTCMDR Olivier Streun
LTJG Beat Erne
SOF James Albritton
CFO Fred Laine
Sailor Robin Wattinger
Sailor Serge Lorek
Sailor Mel Blackford

Disclaimer: The Admiralty rejects all responsibility for brain damage, liver failure and other minor ailments incurred as a result of Operation NIGHTCRAWLER.