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It's now or never. This is the right moment to go.
This is the moment I could learn proper fire techniques.
I thought it could be my last chance to experience these techniques.
Even my agency asked me
'Do you really have to do it without getting paid?'
But it was an opportunity to learn what I longed for years.
So I adjusted my schedules
and hopped on the plane thinking it's my last chance.
It's not common to experience to fire a real gun on Korea.
Luckily an opportunity came along from the help of SSAT.
I received SSAT training all day that reconnoiter the East Sea.
Departed at 3 a.m. then received a dry rehearsal on ground.
In the afternoon, we fired at sea on a RIB boat.
I used to think it would be a piece of cake
while I received training there.
When you're alone you need to check both sides.
There may be obstacles when you turn sideways.
Pull the gun toward your chest when holding a gun.
Stay in position precisely then stand by.
Then 'Forced Respiration'
Then, pull the gun in then stand by.
If suspect is apprehended put the gun down.
These are the basic steps.
When you are shooting ahead with rifle butt here
your head naturally turns.
Closer the rifle butt better the recoil gets
as lower head you'll get target right away.
Use 'high grip' to hold and there shouldn't be any gap.
Same goes for pistols.
This is the 'low ready' standard position.
and raise the gun when the target gets in range of fire.
This is the standard firing position.
With the gun pointing straight the safety pin will unlock.
So you need to tilt it 45 degrees.
With that, unlock pin using your thumb then fire then twist then fire again.
Fire then lock.
Practice freely with the gun.
I received private lesson on firing position.
I used to play games with an airsoft guns
but training with a real gun was a different story.
Most of all, my back hurt. I must be getting old.
You look tired.
Although he's an enemy. But can't finish with one shot.
You have to neuter him with a double tab.
Training with the instructor was quite overwhelming.
He has learned all the skills over years and I had only one day to learn.
Though I practice over and over I was nowhere near him.
And there were still so many details I had to learn.
I've got many subtle skills.
Results show how much you practiced.
Can I wear this belt?
After the dry rehearsal, I gathered the uniform and gears
and got on the bus for firing training out in the sea.
I got nervous on the bus so checked my gears
but all the crew looked quite comfortable.
I was tensed but couldn't hide my excitement.
We arrived at the dock and was reminded of protocols
and watched the crew putting on their gears...
My God, they have amazing build.
I got on board while they loaded the maritime target.
Being on the boat wasn't hard for me but the staffs suffered from it.
It's too difficult to ride the waves.
But we don't have much waves today.
You get to ride boats often while scuba diving.
But with high speed, the wave cause the boat to shake.
It wasn't an ordinary boat
so pitch and roll ship motions were dynamic.
Luckily, the waves were low and perfect for firing.
They set up the mark at sea.
I was told of safety measures and training purposes.
Finally, I fired the SIG556 rifle which is rare in Korea.
I was rather tensed and far from relaxed
since it was my first time firing at sea.
You can feel the pistol moving while adjusting and loading the gun.
That's the time to pull. You will aim better and faster.
My head went blank firing the first shot.
Above all, I need to focus and shoot the mark at sea.
It was my first shot in open space since military training
so I was nervous and couldn't think straight.
Since the RIB boat is quite rocking,
firing on a boat required years of training and experience
so it was hard to adapt under an newly environment.
All clear.
Ready.
Fire.
Even though the weather was not so bad
we were out in the sea and the water was still.
Firing at the target on a moving boat was not an easy task.
But the SSAT were professionals since they train every month.
The crew fully engaged in the training.
The SSAT precedes such training with the Navy UDT SEAL quarterly.
The SSAT itself trains every month and firing on ground is also crucial.
These are the only two units in Korea that provides such training.
That why the tension was immense even for a virtual training.
Also, I was firing an actual gun with real bullets.
Since I am a civilian,
we were quite worried of my safety.
Thanks to the experts who provided advanced firearm and safety training
I could do well in training.
I talked to the crew while cleaning the gun
and turns out they had interest in guns since a child as well.
I guess they are fulfilling their dream by joining the SSAT.
They are younger than me
but they were sincere as preparing for an actual battle.
Also, they were highly motivated and very proud of themselves.
I didn't know someone would be aware of such toughness.
But Jung Chan is fond of these activities and is quite masculine.
It's my first time to see him in person
and it's nothing like seeing him on TV.
I was surprised that he knows quite a lot of special forces.
Even if It was short time to train together and talk to them
I thought I 'd rather become one of them than an actor.
It's tricky.
It's hard to aim while shaking on sea
even though it was a short-distance firing.
I can tell for certain that they are truly professionals.
A day at the East Regional Headquarters Korea Coast Guard is over.
Now, the crazy absurd project
we thought would be simple is about to begin!
I am finally going.
Finally...
I'm at the lodge at last.
Midlife crisis or a new challenge?
I'd better go to bed now for a whole new tomorrow.
Do you see that light over there?
We have stopped by NASA on the way.
We're filming NASA base and this is as far as we can get.
That one high up there is the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Getting closer is prevented but I'd like you to get a nice look.
I am Jung Chan in front of NASA base.
Did it look real?