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

Inside the TOC:

How AZCRT Uses Radios and ATAK for Emergency Response

When emergencies strike, communication is everything—and that’s where our Tactical Operations Centers (TOCs) come into play. Whether we’re supporting a planned training event or responding to a real-world incident, the AZCRT TOC acts as the hub for coordination, information flow, and field team support.

Our volunteers rely on dependable tools to stay connected in the chaos. That’s why we equip our teams with powerful, field-tested radios such as:

📸 Anytone D878 Handheld
Compact, rugged, and versatile, the D878 is our go-to field radio. With dual-band analog and DMR capability, GPS tracking, and long battery life, it keeps our members in touch during missions, trainings, and deployments.

📸 Anytone D578 Mobile
The D578 brings the DMR power of the D878 into a mobile form factor, ideal for vehicles and command posts. With its cross-band repeater capability and crystal-clear digital voice, it’s a crucial link between handhelds in the field and the TOC.

📸 Yaesu FTM-300DR
This dual-band analog/digital radio shines in our mobile TOC units. With APRS support, GPS tracking, and rock-solid performance, it provides wide-area comms support and integrates seamlessly with our incident maps and tracking tools.

But radios are just part of the system.

We also leverage ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit)—a powerful, military-grade mapping and coordination platform. ATAK allows our teams to:

  • Share real-time positions
  • Track assets
  • Exchange mission-critical updates
  • Mark hazards, objectives, and points of interest

Whether it’s a routine training or an emergency deployment, ATAK transforms our communications infrastructure into a fully integrated operational network.

Why It Matters
In emergencies, time is short and information is limited. With the right tools, training, and coordination, AZCRT can respond faster, communicate clearer, and support our communities more effectively.

Stay tuned as we continue building out our communications capabilities—and don’t miss our upcoming field training on mobile TOC setups and radio/ATAK integration.

Introducing the AZCRT Time Tracking App

Introducing the AZCRT Time Tracking App: Accountability Made Simple

At AZCRT, every hour of volunteer service counts—literally. That’s why we’re excited to roll out the AZCRT Time Tracking Application, a streamlined tool designed to log and manage member participation across trainings, deployments, meetings, and more.

Built on a modern SharePoint and Power Apps framework, the Time Tracking App makes it easy for members to:

  • Clock in and out during training sessions or activations
  • Log attendance by scanning QR codes or selecting from scheduled events
  • Track hours by category—training, operations, planning, and beyond
  • Generate reports for individual recognition, grant reporting, and team accountability

This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about recognizing the time, energy, and dedication our volunteers contribute every day. The app helps leadership identify strengths, allocate resources, and ensure every member’s efforts are visible and valued.

Whether you’re in the field or in the classroom, your time matters. And now, we’ve got a smarter way to track it.

2025 National CERT Conference

8/4/2025 – 8/9/2025
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST

  • Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport, 6089 Clarks Creek Road, Plainfield, IN 46468
  • Registration Website – Click Here

About this Year’s Conference

The National CERT Association (NCA) is excited to announce the 2025 National CERT Conference will be held in the greater Indianapolis, Indiana area.  

Theme

The 2025 National CERT Conference theme is “Building Resilience, One Brick at a Time,” with a nod to the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, known as “The Brickyard.” The conference will feature training and presentations for all levels of CERT including Emergency Managers, Program Managers, Instructors, Volunteers, and CERT Partners.

Location

The conference will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport. Special room rates will be available for conference attendees.

ADA Accomodations

It is our hope to host a conference which invites and facilitates meaningful participation for all attendees. If you have ADA accommodations requests or accessibility concerns or questions, please let us know by July 6 so that we can address them promptly and efficiently. Naturally, any access issues which arise during the conference will be handled to the best of our ability but cannot be guaranteed. Please contact the Conference Co-Chairs at: conference@nationalcert.org.

Schedule

Monday, August 4, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Pre-Conference Training

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Pre-Conference Training

Wednesday, August 6, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Pre-Conference Training
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Registration Open
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Opening Plenary and Reception

Thursday, August 7, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Registration Open
8:00 am – 9:15 am: Breakout Session 1
9:15 am – 9:30 am: Break
9:30 am – 10:45 am: Breakout Session 2
10:45 am – 11:00 am: Break
11:00 am – 12:15 pm: Breakout Session 3
12:15 pm – 2:00 pm: Box lunches provided (Special Meeting for State CERT Coordinators) 
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Breakout Session 4
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm: Break
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Breakout Session 5

Friday, August 8, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Registration Open
8:00 am – 9:15 am: Breakout Session 6
9:15 am – 9:30 am: Break
9:30 am – 10:45 am: Breakout Session 7
10:45 am – 11:00 am: Break
11:00 am – 12:15 pm: Breakout Session 8
12:15 pm – 2:00 pm: Box lunches provided (Special Meeting with Regional Representatives) 
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Breakout Session 9
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm: Break
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Breakout Session 10

Saturday, August 9, 2025 – One-day registration available!
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Registration Open
8:00 am – 9:15 am: Breakout Session 11
9:15 am – 9:30 am: Break
9:30 am – 10:45 am: Breakout Session 12
10:45 am – 11:00 am: Break
11:00 am – 12:15 pm: Breakout Session 13
12:15 pm – 2:00 pm: Box lunches provided (NCA Leadership Meeting) 
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Breakout Session 14
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm: Break
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Breakout Session 15

Cost

Early Bird Registration available until June 6, 2025.

Conference RatesBefore 6/6/25After 6/6/25
General Registration (Volunteers)$395$445
General Registration (Non-Volunteers)$525$575
General Registration + Pre-Conference (Volunteers)$470$520
General Registration + Pre-Conference (Non-Volunteer)$600$650
One-Day Registration for Saturday August 9th$100$150
Pre-Conference Training Only$75$75