AfterTek

Those with an interest in the military can experience simulated battle without leaving Southwest Michigan. For those who prefer a physical experience of war, there’s airsoft military-simulation games, such as one last weekend at Hole-in-the-Wall Paintball in Bangor. Airsoft is similar to the more widely known paintball. Airsoft weapons differ from paintball guns in that they use plastic BBs and come in three types, gas, electric and airsoft spring guns.

Also unlike paintball, the games isn’t just “shoot and scoot” but includes a plot and strategic planning. The mission of the recent Bangor game was to rescue a “helicopter crew.” According to the plot, an American Huey helicopter has gone down deep in hostile territory and it’s up to a team of about 50 soldiers to rescue the crew members.

The soldiers are told they have to search for the crew over a 45- to 50-acre area and that the enemy has the ability to attack from all directions. The soldiers are given a map of the area and told to watch out for sinkholes because it rained the night before. All types of “soldiers” congregate for operations such as this. You will find men starting at the age of 16, though you may have a hard time seeing many girls. 

Some of the “soldiers” had night-vision and infrared scopes to attach to their rifle, which holds 5,000 rounds, in case the search continued into the night. “Normally when you do something like this, you have to walk a fine line between realism and political correctness,” said organizer John Conolly, of Lawton. “It’s (the rescue mission) based on Vietnam, but we didn’t use any real names or locations.”

In the event that someone is “shot,” it’s up to the “victim” to say so. Unlike paintball, there’s no paint splatter to see, so the sport is based on an honor system. Being hit doesn’t necessarily take someone out of the game, though. If a “medic” gets there within 60 seconds, and if the medic can keep his or her hands on the victim for 60 seconds, the soldier is considered “healed” and can return to the game.

“Normally people who do this are really good about calling their hits. The sport is forged on honesty,” Conolly said. “It forges trust among the entire (airsoft) community.” In the event that a soldier sneaks up on his or her enemy within very close range, the soldier can verbally call the hit or declare a “knife kill,” instead of shooting from close range, keeping the game safe for everyone.

It can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000 to get started in airsoft and is less costly than paintball to maintain. The only requirements are an airsoft weapon and goggles that completely surround the eyes. The BBs the guns shoot are fairly inexpensive. Some people who have been playing paintball for 10 years have been on about 40 operations. Some operations will place you on a team of 500 and facing a team of 700.