Photographer Ty Cacek joins the Ohio Defense Force during a grueling weekend training exercise
Camouflaged and Silent
The Ohio Defense Force is a private militia claiming 300 active members. On the weekend of August 21, they engaged in a training skirmish with other units in Roseville, Ohio.Ty Cacek for TIME
Coordinates
ODF Officers and senior members examine a property map and discuss their plan.Ty Cacek for TIME
His and Hers
This woman is the wife of one of the male ODF members.Ty Cacek for TIME
Portraits
Private E2 Doug, left, chose not to give his last name; Militiaman C.J. McIntosh, right, poses inside the prison target.Ty Cacek for TIME
Sentry
Lt. Jeremy Fister rests while guarding a second-story window from enemy contact.Ty Cacek for TIME
Checkpoint
Two militia members take a smoke break while guarding the rear of the prison.Ty Cacek for TIME
Flag
Many members of the ODF say that they are not a hate group. Their charter asserts that their mission is: to help state and local law enforcement agencies on request — during a flood six years ago they helped direct traffic, giving local sheriff's officers the freedom to respond to more pressing tasks — and "to assist in the protection of local citizens in emergencies."Ty Cacek for TIME
Muster
The militia trains for ambushes, sniper missions, close-quarter battle and other types of military engagements. On the weekend when photographer Ty Cacek took these photos, the ODF's mission was to destroy "a terrorist command post." An abandoned prison stood in for the object of their attack.Ty Cacek for TIME
Portraits
Militiaman Frank Delollis, left, and 1st Sgt. Tom Gheen are both ODF members.Ty Cacek for TIME
Preparation
Each member brings his or her own weapons. During the drill, they shoot blanks.Ty Cacek for TIME
Camo
The ODF stresses that they are not engaged in a re-enactment or game; they are drilling for scenarios that they feel could be real one day.Ty Cacek for TIME
At Attention
The drill scenario for the August exercise went as follows: "The year is 2014, and a new breed of neo-Islamic terrorism is rampant in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio...The current White House Administration is pro-Muslim and has ordered a stand-down against Islamic groups." The goal is to destroy the enemy command post, or die trying.Ty Cacek for TIME
Motorized
The fighters must go in "sterile" — without name tags or identifying insignia — as a deniable covert force. "Anyone who is caught or captured cannot expect extraction," the briefing officer said.Ty Cacek for TIME
Dismount
The ODF members exit the transport.Ty Cacek for TIME
Recon
A patrol party searches the property.Ty Cacek for TIME
