By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

On Saturday night, July 26th, the Robot Chicken on Wheels Tour kicked off in San Diego, CA to promote theirRobot Chicken: Star Wars Episode 2 DVD. Accompanying the local Southern California Garrison and theSunrider Base were members of the Dune Sea Garrison and Mos Eisley Base for a night of pictures and fun. In attendance were Matt Senreich, Seth Green, and Tom Root, who had the honor of being inducted as Honorary Members into the Rebel Legion, the sister organization of the 501st. Matt and Seth are co-creators of Robot Chicken, and Tom is a writer, producer, director, and voice actor on the show. Also present were thousands of fans including roller derby teams and several convention attendees. Along with handing out Sideshow Collectibles gift cards, members posed for pictures and even started up a group dance party outside of the skate area. Both 501st and Rebel Legion members had a blast with fans of Robot Chicken Star Wars!This event took place after the Fox 5 news interview on Thursday with Seth Green and Matt Senreich where DSG members were also present. Fox 5 aired the interview the next day showing members hanging out with the Robot Chicken creators at a drive in.

During the tour event, fans took great pictures with Rebels and Imperials alike to promote the new DVD that is now on sale. It was truly a pleasure for the Arizona groups to work with such great members from California so far from home. Sunrider and Southern California Garrison did an amazing job of making this an awesome event; thank you guys for all of your support and allowing the DSG and MEB to tag along!

By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

Thursday and Friday, July 23rd and 24th, marked a first in Dune Sea Garrison history. Fox 5 of San Diego, CA invited the 501st Legion to attend their interview with Seth Green and Matt Senreich. Not only was the taping a success, but the staff was so impressed that they invited the crew back to serve doughnuts, write scripts, and provide an overall Star Wars newscast. Conveniently, Friday was Star Wars day at the San Diego Comic-con when troopers were shown all through the morning.

Clips were shown throughout the show between lie casts at the convention and daily news reports. The morning started off with a biker scout writing for the show, which his co-writer was rather shocked at. This was followed by a couple of troopers serving doughnuts to the staff including Arthel Neville. Meanwhile, off camera the team got to converse with editors, cameramen, and anchors. The entire staff was a huge pleasure to work with; everyone was professional and very courteous. On screen, Vader had a lot of work including zapping crew members and guiding cameras using his very persuasive powers. Before the end of the morning the team also had the pleasure of talking to Tom Kane, the voice of Yoda in the current Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. He showed off a number of his voices and cracked some jokes with 501st members as the Jedi Master…although as a matter of Imperial Security he was under strict watch.

The group who participated from the DSG owes a huge thanks to the Southern California Garrison and the Fox 5 morning team. We all especially appreciated Raoul Martinez for whistling the Imperial March all morning; his enthusiasm was above and beyond. The Fox team was more than generous by providing breakfast and giving the DSG a full tour along with writing up fun activities. Overall it was a terrific experience!

By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

This year at Phoenix Comicon, the Dune Sea Garrison once again invaded and prepared the future of the Empire by running younglings through Trooper Training Camp. As expected, soon-to-be Imperial Recruits performed above and beyond their trainers’ expectations by displaying proper weapons prowess, psychological integrity and physical durability. This year’s slogan, “Victory Starts Here,” held true as every squad completed their objective despite facing nearly impossible odds. With nearly 300 recruits pushed through and Imperial Certificates issued, the camp has been chalked up as a huge success. The future of the Empire is practically assured!

This year the course changed a bit and grew to better equip recruits for the daunting future ahead. Camp began with a weapons training course to get trainees familiar with their training blasters. Shots were fired at targets and training grenades prepped everyone for proper thermal detonators. After the instructors saw sufficient demonstration in small arms training, recruits were moved into “The Gauntlet” where they faced obstacles including: a maze to navigate, a garbage chute to search for the Death Star plans, followed by engaging in a live-fire exercise with armored members of the 501st Legion to get these plans back into Imperial hands.

Special thanks go out to the men and women of the Empire who served to make the outlying territories a better place to live by donating your time to prepare the younglings of the future. It is due to your efforts that these kids will survive their basic training in the upcoming years. Also, thank you to Phoenix Comicon and Joe Boudrie for allowing us the space and providing assitance to make this event a success two years in a row.

By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

Every good soldier is made somewhere and the Empire starts ’em young. This year we setup camp at the Mesa Convention Center with training weapons and a short obstacle course for young trainees to learn from. Affectionately referred to as Trooper Training Camp we’ll need increased numbers after watching the Jedi train against the boss. With approximately 50 cadets within our taped borders there is a great expectation of fresh meat to sign up in the oncoming years to continue the fight against the Alliance.Camp started with a quick rundown from the one of the Training Sergeants; TK-5647 Dutin Dial, TD-9285 Tristan Moriuchi, and TD-0013 Kevin O’Conner. Pistols and helmets were issued to recruits right before these orders were issued:

“Shoot a target! Preserve your ammunition for later in the course.
Dart through the walls.
Under the table, don’t bump your head trooper!
Find the Death Star Plans under those tiny droid heads.
When you find the plans, let your team know.
Under the other table and prepare yourself!
Our Training Trooper will now open fire on you. Neutralize him and get the plans back to your Training Sergeant!
List off your name as your Sergeant signs your certificate making you an honorary Stormtrooper Recruit of the Empire. See your local recruiter in a few standard years and we’ll get your E-11 for you.”

It was a joy and an honor to see so many able bodied recruits gearing up and preparing themselves for the oncoming fight. We had many sharp eyes, quick runners, and even a few recruits that went through for extra training. We hope to continue this event in the future, but of course we’ll need YOUR help!

To see more pictures from this exciting training camp, please visit our Official Trooper Training 2008 Photo Gallery!

Or head over to ourDSG Trainee PhotoBucket Gallery!