Operation Supply Drop - The story of a man who sends games into war
On the first day of this year, I experienced amazing interview with former Ranger and big videogame fan Stephen Machuga. This man just skipped first family launch of the year and instead of that spend some time with me telling his lifetime story and talking about his inspiring project. He experienced 13 months in Iraq, done some serious stuff with Russian army in Kosovo and fought in Afghanistan. As Captain, he had responsibility for a whole IAV Stryker crew. He finally got out in 2006, after 8 years of service. But he’s still fighting. Rifle just was changed for videogames, t-shirts and a large number of packages or better to say Supply Drops.
Man who was saved by games
Basically, Operation Supply Drop is charity campaign, which is focused on sending entertaining stuff to soldiers serving overseas. Recipients are mostly from Afghanistan and Iraq and it could be games, clothing, gaming consoles or just headsets. Simply anything what can help to forget everyday problems and make life on military base far away from home more bearable. Stephen runs whole project from his own basement and it’s one man show except understanding wife and one close associate from Austin, Texas. “When you are putting on line own reputation and invest in project own money and majority of time, you have to be absolutely sure about you partners. It’s hard to find 100% trustful and dedicated associates. Another important reason are money of course,” explaining Machuga his decision to do everything yourself.
And he should definitely care about reputation, since Operation Supply Drop is well known project, which attracted even mainstream media like Forbes and NBC. But journey to success wasn’t easy. Actually, there was a lot of problems and negotiating with gaming publishers and another companies. But there was one much bigger problem, which started whole this campaign. It was Stephen’s mental conditions and problems with transfer from military life to civilian one. He just struggled and couldn’t ask for help, since his security clearance was crucial for making a living. In that time, games become ultimate cure for Stephen. Thanks to virtual words, he got time to face the reality and made yourself comfortable with new way of living. Man, who used to be geek and probably who still is geek found in games something more valuable.
Something, what he decided to send to friend, who wasn’t so lucky enough and went back to military routine and ended in Iraq. In 2010 first Supply drop reached target and started a complete madness. “Firstly, there were just guys from friend’s unit, but now it’s almost everyone - Marines, Rangers, K9 units and even bomb squads and EOD techs. I even can’t respond to all guys and first-come, first-served system was abandoned a long time ago.” Now, Stephen Machuga has to pick guys, who need his package most. Usually, they are really close to battlefield and special units with a little bit unusual and dangerous work are always served as first.
Places where games helping
Ordinary package from Stephen Machuga is 20x20x20 box with campaign logo, which can’t be heavier than 70 pounds. It means, that there is usually one gaming console in special protective container with screen, some games, headset and a bunch of t-shirts or hoodies. Regulations and safety are always big issues, because packages are transported with ammunition and another army supplies. Every package is different. Once it’s Xbox 360, next time PS3 and recently, there was box with handhelds for guys on the navy ship too. “Usually, they say what they want and need and if it’s in my power to meet their recommendations…” says Machuga. But the fact is, that soldiers aren’t choosy. Conversely, they are really grateful for everything. “There are just a few of really good and useful packages from home, so every good one is really favored. And games are a lot better than old cookies or romantic books. People usually just don’t know what is need in the battlefield, I do.”
It’s really so easy. Soldiers just have to write an email and wait for response. Response, which can spare a long and boring days full of thinking about awful stuff like what will happen outside the wire. “For ordinary infantryman is war more than 23 hours of waiting. There is so little action and because of that, you have to entertain them. Some bases are fully equipped, but there are places which aren’t.” said Machuga. It could be places like Helmand Province full of hastily built bases with only the most necessary things. (The fact is, that majority of packages is for soldiers in Afghanistan.) And because of that, there is Operation Supply Drop. For 20 years old guys, who had to take responsibility and despite that, they still want to be entertained and play games.
Main idea of Operation Supply Drop is to entertain guys and gave them a piece of home. Machuga tries to give them help, which games gave him and he’ll definitely continue even after ending of Afghan mission. He already sent something about 80 packages each with average value about 2000-3000$. But fight never ends and he wants to focus more on veterans and freshly returning guys in future. He want to prevent problems, which he had with return to home and you can definitely help him. Operation Supply Drop works for 3 years and Machuga already managed to raise gaming stuff and money with value equal almost to 700 000$. With your help, it can be much more. And if you can’t donate, you can always at least spread the idea of combining war and games.
You can donate and find more information at www.operationsupplydrop.org!
NOTE: Not all citations can be completely accurate, but I always tried to maintain their ideas.