'Operation Switchback'
Track a Russian assassination hit squad. Intercept. Infiltrate. Prevent a high-value kill.
‘Operation Switchback’
Track a Russian assassination hit squad. Intercept. Infiltrate. Prevent a high-value kill.
Directed by a decorated former MI6 Intelligence Officer. Run by elite former operatives from MI6, CIA & Mossad.
STATION X, ‘OPERATION SWITCHBACK‘ – A Three-Day Residential Espionage Experience
Become a Spy. Live the Mission.
Active Operation across Oxford
TRAIN AS AN ELITE SPY. LIVE THE MISSION. FACE THE UNKNOWN.
3 Days. One Operation. No Second Chances.
Welcome to STATION X – the world’s most advanced, most immersive, and most authentic spy training experience ever created.
For three adrenaline-fuelled residential days, you won’t just learn espionage. You will live it.
Participants become covert operatives, undergoing elite, top-secret tradecraft training before deploying those skills in a rolling, high-stakes live MI6 mission.
Under the command of real former intelligence officers from MI6, the CIA, Mossad, and other elite agencies, you will be plunged into the shadow world of covert operations, psychological warfare, surveillance, deception, and high-risk decision-making.
This is not a simulation. This is a live intelligence operation built around you.
Every hour brings:
… new intel
… new missions
… new enemies
You will be trained, tested, and pushed into the kind of pressure only the world’s top operatives ever face.
THE VISION BEHIND THE MISSION
Station X is the creation of Matthew Dunn – former MI6 field officer, decorated spy, and international bestselling author.
Matthew has lived the real world of espionage: danger in foreign cities, hostile surveillance, razor-edge choices made in the dark. His rare blend of operational experience and creative mastery forms the foundation of Station X.
Every moment brings genuine intelligence tradecraft with cinematic storytelling to deliver an experience unlike anything else on earth.
THE WORLD’S FIRST TRUE SPY IMMERSION
Station X is NOT: A theme park, A workshop, A stunt.
It is a fully engineered espionage universe where the line between training and mission is intentionally blurred.
You will:
- Learn genuine covert skills from elite instructors
- Operate inside a live, unfolding intelligence scenario
- Make decisions with real-time consequences
- Deploy tradecraft techniques used by modern spies
- Experience the psychological tension of undercover work
- Discover your true capabilities under pressure
Every mission element feels real – because the people who designed it once lived this life.
TRADECRAFT
You will be trained in authentic espionage techniques by highly decorated former intelligence officers. These are the tools of elite operatives – and you will need every one of them on the mission.
- Dead drops
- Brush passes
- Intelligence gathering & analysis
- Surveillance & antisurveillance
- Disguise
- Infiltration
- Direct action
And more…
STATION X – THE ULTIMATE SPY EXPERIENCE. NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE.
Station X is the only place in the world where civilians can step into the secret world with this level of intensity, danger, authenticity, and cinematic scale.
This is espionage brought to life.
Danger without the death.
The closest you will ever come to being a spy.
Station X - where:
… the shadows are real.
… the missions are live.
… you discover whether you have what it takes.
Monday 27th July – Thursday 30th July 2026
£1399 (all inclusive)
Deposit: pay £200 to secure your place
(FAQ’s) – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. General information
Where is Station X located?
Station X is based in Oxford, UK, with both the facility and the surrounding city forming part of the active live operation. The environment you move through is real – the people, streets, and risks are not staged.
What are the event dates?
The Station X residential experience runs from:
Monday 27th July – Thursday 30th July
What time do I need to arrive?
All candidates must arrive in Oxford by 5:00pm on Monday 27th July for registration and room allocation.
When does the espionage experience begin?
After registration, you will join a pre-event social reception where you meet fellow candidates. The official MI6 operation begins at 8:00am on Tuesday 28th July.
2. Travel, accommodation & food
Is accommodation included in the cost?
Yes. Accommodation is included as part of the Station X experience for all 3 nights. Accommodation is provided at the Oxford University Hotel Campus / Resort. Full details will be provided in your welcome pack.
Do I share a room?
No. Every participant receives their own private hotel room.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily from Monday evening through Friday morning.
Are drinks included?
Soft drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks at the Gala Dinner are paid individually.
3. How much does Station X cost?
Total cost: £1,399
Deposit: £200 (non-refundable).
4. What is included?
- 3 nights accommodation (Oxford University Campus – single occupancy)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner all days
- Finale gala dinner
- 3 day immersive experience
- Balance £1,199 due on 1st July
5. Is there a deposit to secure my place?
Yes. A £200 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your provisional place on Station X.
The deposit confirms your intent to participate.
Your place becomes fully confirmed only once the balance is paid.
6. Experience overview
What exactly is Station X?
Station X is a three-day residential espionage immersion, combining real intelligence tradecraft with a rolling live MI6-style operation across Oxford. You will train as an elite covert operative and deploy those skills in an intense unfolding mission.
Is this a simulation?
No.
This is a live intelligence operation, structured around real-world espionage methodology.
You will be watched, followed, contacted, and tasked by former operatives in real time.
Is it safe?
Yes. Station X is fully risk-managed, fully insured, and run by elite professionals with decades of operational experience. All scenarios are designed to be thrilling, intense, and highly realistic – without exposing participants to uncontrolled danger.
7. The mission
What is the live operation?
You will be tracking a Russian assassination hit squad across Oxford and working to disrupt their attempt to kill a high-value target.
How intense is the mission?
Very.
This is a multi-day, multi-location live operation with pressure, time constraints, misdirection, surveillance, and decision points.
8. Itinerary breakdown
MONDAY 27th JULY
Arrival, Registration & Social Reception
Check-in 5pm
Meet fellow participants
Pre-event drinks and orientation
No mission activity yet, just social interaction and settling in
TUESDAY 28th JULY – DAY 1
INDUCTION • BRIEFING • TRAINING
The moment this day begins, you are in the world of espionage.
You receive your operational briefing
You meet your instructors
You undergo Tradecraft Training Phase 1
You learn skills required for the live mission
You are formally assigned into the operation
Every activity today directly relates to the mission’s unfolding needs.
WEDNESDAY 29th JULY – DAY 2
TRAINING • DEPLOYMENT • LIVE FIELD OPERATION
The operation begins in earnest.
You deploy your tradecraft in real environments
You gather intelligence across Oxford
You receive live mission updates from controllers
You collaborate with (and sometimes compete against) other agents
You track the Russian hit squad’s movement
You work to disrupt an active assassination plot
You will be working day and night. The pressure escalates hour by hour.
THURSDAY 30th JULY – DAY 3
MISSION FINALE • HIGH-STAKES FIELDWORK • GALA DINNER
The clandestine operation reaches peak intensity.
Field operations continue under heavy time pressure
You execute the final phase of the mission
Decisions now have irreversible consequences
Everything you’ve learned is tested
The day ends with a Bond-inspired Gala Dinner, awards ceremony, recognition of standout agents, and a celebration of your achievement. Black-tie is encouraged.
9. Instructors & leadership
Who runs the course?
THE CONTROLLER – Matthew Dunn
Former elite MI6 intelligence officer
Operated globally under deep cover
Conducted high-risk missions targeting rogue states
Faced life imprisonment or execution if caught
Awarded rare commendations for outstanding service
International bestselling author and media figure
Expert in full-spectrum tradecraft (“A–Z spy”)
Matthew is the architect and creative lead behind Station X.
Who are the directing staff?
DIRECTING STAFF – ‘PRACTITIONERS’
Handpicked former intelligence officers from elite state agencies, including:
MI6 (UK)
CIA (USA)
Mossad (Israel)
These individuals have conducted real missions, used real tradecraft, and operated in real hostile environments. Their expertise shapes every moment of Station X.
DIRECTING STAFF – ‘INTEL OFFICERS’
Highly trained individuals with speciality skills who work alongside the controller and practitioners to deliver the live operation on the ground.
10. Training content
What tradecraft will I learn?
You will be trained in espionage methods used by real operatives:
- Dead drops
- Brush passes
- Covert exchanges
- Surveillance
- Anti-surveillance
- Behavioural analysis
- Intelligence gathering
- Intelligence processing
- Disguise
- Infiltration
- Direct action
- Communication protocols
- Situational awareness
- Asset handling
- And more…
11. Safety, insurance & oversight
Is the event insured?
Yes.
Station X is fully insured to operate a rolling live espionage experience across Oxford.
Is anyone monitoring participants?
Yes.
You will be watched, followed, and assessed throughout the operation by trained intelligence officers to ensure accuracy, safety, and immersion.
12. Dress & equipment
What should I bring?
A full kit list will be emailed to you, but key items include:
Practical clothing and comfortable footwear for fieldwork
Evening attire for the Gala Dinner
Weather-appropriate clothing
A fully charged mobile phone
No weapons or imitation weapons are required or permitted.
13. Who is this experience for?
Station X is designed for all people, all shapes, all sizes, and all backgrounds. No prior experience is required – only curiosity, enthusiasm, and the desire to step into an extraordinary world.
Whether you’re physically capable, creatively minded, strategic, observant, or simply eager to dive into the unknown – there is a role for you inside Station X.
14. Requirements & readiness
Do I need to be fit?
A reasonable level of physical ability is required. You will be on your feet for long periods and moving across Oxford extensively.
Do I need experience?
No.
You will receive everything you need through professional tradecraft training.
15. Final night
What happens at the Gala Dinner?
A high-glamour Bond-style evening featuring:
- Fine dining
- Awards and recognition
- Debrief highlights
- Celebratory drinks
- A final farewell to the world of espionage
16. How do I register?
Registering for Station X is simple:
- Complete the registration form (linked below) to submit your details.
- Secure your place by paying the £200 deposit (non-refundable).
Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive:
- A full information pack outlining everything you need to know
- A personal phone call from a member of the Station X instructor team
- Your onboarding timeline and next steps
If you have any questions before registering, please contact us at: events@firestormexperiences.com
17. What happens after I register?
Once you complete the registration form and pay the £200 deposit:
- You will receive a full welcome pack confirming your provisional place in writing
18. What are the points of contact?
If you have any questions at any stage, please contact the relevant team below:
Firestorm Experiences (Event & Registration):
events@firestormexperiences.com