The War Eagles Gaming Association is a hobby group that meets in Pasco in the Pasco Family Theater annex at 517 W. Lewis St. The Association is dedicated to the enjoyment of wargaming as an active hobby with particular emphasis on historical games using both miniatures and board games. Fantasy and science fiction miniatures, role-playing and collectible card games also make their appearances. Gaming continues on Wednesday and Saturday nights at War Eagles in Pasco.

DECON 97A was another success. Your correspondent was given the responsibility for the bake sale, and thanks to my lovely (and very pregnant) wife, and the generous efforts of many of the Sci Fi Club and WEGA members, the result was profitable. Thanks to your correspondent, Babylon 5 first-season episodes ran on the big screen TV on the lobby all day and were well- received by some of the attendees. Perhaps we can run the second season at DECON 97B.

DECON 97A presented our first ever large map Fire and Fury scenario. Using the entire lobby floor space, a map in scale for the use of miniatures was set up, including 3 towns, several major and minor roads and some impassable terrain. Two Union corps and two Confederate divisions were deployed in towns at opposite ends of a valley and at a considerable distance from each other (at least forty feet). No miniatures were placed on the battlefield until they reached line of sight.

The Confederates began bivouacked in Rebburg, the Federals were in Uniontown, with Middletown in between them. The armies were assigned brigade, division and corps leaders from various OB's found in the Fire and Fury Western Battles scenario book. Strength and quality were assigned on random die rolls. The results of these rolls left the Union with a considerable numerical advantage, but the Confederates with a considerable advantage in quality of troops. Both sides were supplied the other's OB, but not the location of the troops.

The Union Army commander was assigned the task of occupying all the major population centers. Since he did not have enough strength to garrison all three towns, the would require decisively defeating the Confederate Army The Confederate commander's orders were simply to prevent the UnIon from controlling the valley, however, the absence of a substantial victory would cost him his command.

In the event, real time caught up with us, after 11 turns of movement had brought the armies to engagement range The actual battle would have been quite interesting. The experiment revealed that the principles in use, and the add-on rules effectively re-create the problems faced by an Army commander feeling for an enemy force.

RadCon 2A was another gamers' success. Some games were more successful than others, but everyone had fun. I observed that the gameroom was filled from dawn to dusk, and still used heavily through the night, as one of the game rooms was left open twenty-four hours throughout the convention. A number of late Saturday night games spilled out into the lobby. Gaming remains alive and well in the Tri-Cities.