AZCRT Gears Up for Copperhead X

August 30–31, 2025

The Arizona Community Response Team (AZCRT) is proud to announce our participation in Copperhead X, a premier national MilSim event hosted by American Milsim, held at the Playas Training Center in Playas, New Mexico on August 30–31, 2025.

This immersive, scenario-driven training opportunity is one of the most realistic tactical simulations in the country—bringing together hundreds of participants from across the nation for two days of mission-focused exercises, communications drills, team movement, and urban operations.

🏙️ Why Copperhead X?

The Playas Training Center is unlike any other—it’s a full-scale mock town, built for real-world tactical training. With structures, alleyways, and vehicles throughout, it offers AZCRT an unparalleled environment to refine:

  • Radio communications and interoperability (Anytone D878, Yaesu FTM-300, D578)
  • Team tactics under stress
  • Situational awareness using ATAK
  • Leadership under fire
  • Fitness, endurance, and gear integration

📡 Radios, ATAK, and Real-World Tools

AZCRT will be deploying our field-tested radio platforms including:

  • Anytone D878 handhelds
  • Yaesu FTM-300 mobile rigs
  • Anytone D578 for command-level comms

We will also integrate ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit) during operations to reinforce team coordination, location tracking, and rapid response — ensuring our volunteers get hands-on experience with tools we use during real-world deployments.

🧭 What This Means for AZCRT

This is more than a training weekend. It’s a chance to put AZCRT’s principles into action: community readiness, leadership development, and operational discipline. Attending Copperhead X also reinforces our commitment to volunteer excellence, and we will return with new lessons, improved communication standards, and deeper camaraderie.

🗓️ Prep and Planning

Leading up to the event, AZCRT members will undergo specialized training in:

  • Radio protocols
  • Urban movement drills
  • ATAK setup and team tracking
  • Gear loadout and sustainment planning

Copperhead IX Documentary from 2024…

Stay tuned to our Training Calendar and Operations Page for prep dates, gear checklists, and coordination updates.

AZCRT is mission-ready. Copperhead X will sharpen our edge and strengthen our team. Whether you’re in logistics, medical, comms, or ops—we’ve got a role for you. Let’s represent Arizona strong.

🔗 Interested in volunteering or supporting our training effort? Contact us here.

Tactical Games Phoenix 2025

AZCRT Prepares for the Ultimate Test of Readiness

This October, the desert heat isn’t the only thing turning up the intensity in Arizona.

The Tactical Games Phoenix Regional is coming to Ben Avery Shooting Facility, 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd from October 18–19, 2025, and AZCRT is stepping up — to compete, to volunteer, and to support a community of athletes who train for the unexpected.

Whether you’re new to The Tactical Games or a seasoned operator, this two-day event will test your endurance, resilience, and marksmanship under real-world stress.

🎯 What Are The Tactical Games?

Created by Special Forces veterans, The Tactical Games is a national-level fitness and shooting competition series where strength, speed, accuracy, and mental focus are tested across multi-stage events.

Each stage challenges athletes to complete grueling physical tasks — like sled drags, sandbag throws, or rope climbs — followed immediately by precision shooting at varying distances.

It’s not just about hitting targets. It’s about doing so while breathing hard, carrying weight, and under strict time pressure.

📍 Phoenix Regional Event Details

  • 📅 Dates: October 18–19, 2025
  • 📌 Location: 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85086
  • 🕐 Schedule:
    • Athlete check-in: Friday, October 17, 4–7 PM
    • Safety brief & competition: Saturday–Sunday, 6 AM–6 PM daily
  • ✈️ Closest Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor (30.8 miles from range)
  • 🏆 Nationals Qualification: Top athletes in Elite, Tactical, Masters 40+ and 50+ divisions qualify for the National Championship.

👉 Competitor Registration
👉 Volunteer Registration

👊 Why AZCRT Is Getting Involved

At AZCRT, we live the motto: Train like you deploy. The Tactical Games reflect the kind of real-world readiness we prepare for — functional fitness, gear proficiency, and composure under pressure.

We’ll have team members competing in Tactical Division, supporting volunteers on the ground, and offering open invites to local training days as the event approaches.

Expect stage breakdowns, equipment guides, and prep sessions hosted by AZCRT Training leadership.

🧭 How to Prepare

Training Focus Areas:

  • Sandbag work (throws, carries, over-bar)
  • Long and short-range rifle shooting under stress
  • Transitions between pistol and rifle
  • Rope climbs, step-overs, sled drags
  • Functional fitness with full kit

Suggested Gear:

  • Rifle & pistol (per division specs)
  • Weight vest (TTG standards)
  • Mags, belt, hydration system
  • Sturdy footwear and gloves
  • Eye/ear protection

🙋 Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the backbone of every Tactical Games event — and TTG rewards you with free future event credit for two full days of volunteering (up to 2x per calendar year).

📌 Note: Volunteer credits do not apply to Nationals or transfer to others.

Get involved and learn firsthand how it all works.

📣 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to compete, support, or simply learn what it takes to thrive under pressure — the Phoenix Tactical Games is the place to be this fall.

AZCRT is proud to support those who train to lead, protect, and endure.

📧 Want to train with us or prepare for the Games?
Email: training@azcrt.org
Follow us on social media for prep days and Tactical Team meetups.

See you on the line, Arizona.

— AZCRT Training Team