Call of Duty: Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward and publisher Activision have a long history of acknowledging the brave men and women across the world enlisted in the armed services. As U.S. based companies, special attention is often awarded to U.S. troops and veterans. In the recent Modern Warfare Season 5 launch, fans noticed a SAS operator that looks like the heroic trooper who saved lives in Kenya in January of last year.
The image started circulating on Reddit showing a casually dressed operator wielding an assault rifle side by side with photos from the terrorist attack. The resemblance between the two is uncanny, bordering on Modern Warfare cosplay levels of detail. Unlike a cosplay, it is the in-game avatar of this SAS Trooper that is dressing up as a famous and decorated hero of the British Special Forces.
The development team that created this model has really gone out of its way for detail and accuracy. The outfit is on point, with the shirt and blue jeans clearly standing out against the camouflaged body armor, belt, and pack. On his hip, is a holster where the real soldier wielded a handgun, and his combat knife is clearly shown. He is wearing a Balaclava to cover his mouth and head and looks just as combat-ready as in the actual photos of the incident. This will no doubt be considered one of the best operator skins in Warzone and Modern Warfare.
The story of this hero is rather remarkable. It starts with the attack of an Islamist terrorist group that had slaughtered 21 people in a luxury Kenyan hotel. An off duty Special Forces soldier was caught on camera entering the complex wearing combat gear over his casual wear. Armed for combat, he charged in and returned with terrified survivors helping to evacuate the hotel.
British SAS troopers are trained to run towards gunfire, showing remarkable bravery in combat situations. The soldier was in Nairobi to train Kenyan Special Forces when he heard the request for assistance.
The soldier entered with intentions to neutralize the terrorist on his own. Once inside, he helped direct Kenyan Police and armed forces in the evacuation of the hotel while fending off the terrorist fire. There is no doubt that the soldier saved lives that day, and now he will be immortalized in Call of Duty as a soldier fighting against a global war.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.