Burns Chronicles N^o 3
Operation Mutual Defense (OMD)

Gary Hunt
Outpost of Freedom
February 6, 2016

An understanding of just what Operation Mutual Defense (OMD) is, as the MSM has often referred to OMD in their articles, but have failed to explain its nature, is now in order. It is best compared with the Committees of Correspondence, first established in the 1760s, to communicate between colonial communities, and to request assistance, when warranted. As the events began unfolding in Harney County, a few months before, the Advisory Board consisted of five members, with positions available for another two seats. The Advisory Board structure was intended to ensure that, unlike many patriot appearing organizations, the leadership is not vested in one person. Instead, a matter before the Board would be discussed, with various ideas, suggestions, concerns, and other considerations, and then the majority would determine the viability of a proposed operation.

Any proposal for a call to action was first reviewed and a “brief” prepared, based upon available information and contact with the individual(s) who were under consideration for a call to action to afford them protection of Life, Liberty, or Property, if threatened, unjustly, by a government agency.

If the Board determined that a situation warranted a call to action, then word would be sent to supporters/volunteers. There are no members of OMD, except the Advisory Board and a second tier of volunteers who assist in the various “functional disciplines“.

Operation Mutual Defense evolved from its predecessor, Operation Mutual Aid, which set out the initial call up for the Bundy Ranch Affair, back in April 2014. That evolution resulted in the structure of the Board, as described above.

If an action is initiated by the Advisory Board, a callout would be made via the Operation Mutual Defense webpage, the Operation Mutual Defense Facebook page, and through the OMD Mail List where supporters/volunteers would receive notification of any call to, action, or other pertinent information regarding OMD activities.

Since there are no “members” of Operation Mutual Defense, there is no “command structure”, hence any participation is strictly voluntary. OMD is only the messenger, though the process described provides an understanding of the circumstances surrounding any event, and expectation as to what to expect when volunteers arrive, a point of contact, and an “Organizational Plan for Militia Response” that explains how command will be developed, sets up protocols for operations, and other information regarding details as to expected responsibilities of those participating.

Unlike any other organization, where an individual, or a small group, dictates control over participants, OMD provides a structure not unlike those used by Militia in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, a “shared command” (historically referred to as “Council of War”), assurance that bad decisions would be minimized, as all decisions are made by elected “officers”.

    Operation      Mutual      Defense

                         Advisory Board

            Response Coordinator:      Ryan Payne

          Public Relations:                 Gary Hunt

    Research:                              Dennis

                   Planning                                Jon Ritzheimer

         Training:                               Tim Foley

http://www.outpost-of-freedom.com/OMD

November 10, 2015

Operation Mutual Defense is now an Active Organization

In April 2014, an organization named Operation Mutual Aid (OMA) let out a call for patriots to come to the Bundy Ranch in Nevada, to protect the rancher’s family, livestock, and ranch, from threatened Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) efforts seize the livestock in payment for a perceived obligation.

The structure of OMA was determined to be insufficient for effective response, planning, coordination, and organization of the effort required. This led to a division between the two principals of OMA leadership, and the formation of a new organization, Operation Mutual Defense (OMD), anticipating a more rapid and effective response. Additionally, support functions are incorporated in the structure and function of OMD.

The Advisory Board of Operation Mutual Defense, is announcing the commencement of its organization’s website and operation of services to Americans who are in need of assistance, in defense of life, liberty, or property, due to oppressive government overreach that threatens their God given rights.

OMD is a network of volunteers, patriotic citizens, activists and militia, dedicated to furthering a government, by the people, free from oppressive intrusion, overreach and aggression, through training and implementation of established defensive postures, at optimal tactical positions, in relation to the people or property in need.

An additional tier of the OMD organization includes, journalists, logistical and support personnel, and media relations personnel from other patriotic political and activism groups.

OMD observes all local laws, not in violation of the United States and state constitutions, and considers all laws in violation of the United States and state constitutions reasonable cause to coalesce resources to protect and defend citizenry requesting support.

The organization believes in a culture directed by the principles of the Declaration of Independence; to absolve such government of its power, or separate from it to be freed from its oppression. OMD is intended for the defense of the populace from enemies, foreign and domestic. The latter path shall be left to the determination of that populace, and we shall guarantee them the freedom to make that choice, and to assist them, in accordance with man’s God-given Liberty, the ideas espoused in the Declaration of Independence, the constitutions of the several States, the Constitution of United States, and the Bill of Rights, so help us God.

OMD encourages visitors to go to the OMD website (operationmutualdefense) to learn more about its mission and the terms and conditions under which activation occurs. For those interested in following, and perhaps participating, in any OMD event, you may join the OMD mail list from the link on that page.

All inquiries are to be directed to:
Gary Hunt, OMD Public Relations
Email:   public relations