Support Gunner

In an airsoft war, it is easy for a squad to get pinned down by enemy fire, an unable to fight back or relocate. This is where the support gunner comes in. The gunner is in charge of providing assistance where it is needed on the field. Need covering fire so you can progress the frontline? Need help getting out of a tight spot? Have an important bunker un-manned? The support gunner's job covers all of these areas and more.

If you wish to pursue a role in gunning, there a few things you must know. The first thing, the cost. A good gun suitable specifically for support (more on this later) is rather expensive. The second, physical fitness. Carrying an average of 10-15 lbs. of equipment, and a 15 lb. gun is no easy feat, especially when you need to get in a specific position quickly. Gunning requires top stamina and fitness. Lastly, preparation. Gunning is just as much a passive role as it is an active one, and requires some before-hand knowledge. Some tips on being prepared will be offered. If you are sure you want to become a gunner, here some (hopefully) helpful strategies and tips. :D


COST- Gunning is tough without the proper equipment. However, said proper equipment is on the expensive side as far as price goes. Carry with you, the usual supplies (see 'Assault' post for details). If you already have these supplies, good for you; proceed to step 2. Arguably the most important piece of equipment a gunner can carry. Without this, he is practically useless. A suitable support gun is usually found in the form of a LMG (Light Machine Gun). These are considerably more expensive than other AEGs. An example of an LMG is pictured below. If you have a job, you're in luck. If you do not, then it will require some time. Either try to find a job, or wait for a close relative to die, so you can inherent something of worth.

PHYSIQUE- As previously mentioned, carrying around equipment all day is strenuous. If you aren't already in peak physical shape, try to work out some. Chances are, you won't have to hold your gun upright too often if you find a good bunker or mount to set your gun up on; as a result, arm strength is recommended, but not required. What you will need to work on, however, are the leg muscles, and abdominal muscles. These are your driving force, and will help you get from place to place quickly. Lower body strength can also compensate for lack of upper-body strength, if you sling your gun, and use your legs to keep you balanced, you can roughly regulate your distribution of weight. Practice trekking up slopes with weights, and go out for runs regularly; you'd be surprised how quickly you gain leg strength.

PREPARATION- In addition to having all of your supplies ready, it helps to know the area before-hand. This means doing your homework. If you know where you are going to be playing ahead of time, drive (or get a ride) there and scout out the area. Make sure it isn't private property. Make note of foxholes, bunkers, windows, or doorways that could make a good setup position. Be sure to assess their relevance and usefulness in various situations. Try to find a position that will give you a good view of the whole area, or at least a valuable choke point. If you own, or have permission from the owner of the area you will be playing in, why not make some bunkers yourself? Sure, it might take some work, but that's what step 2 was for. ;] Be sure to keep in mind the field of vision you will have when inside the bunker, whilst making it. Be sure to conceal it well, and if you want, chop down a few small trees (preferably saplings, fuck off EPA) and set up vertically in your bunker, and possibly cover the top with sod, or tall grass. Below is a good example of a well-made bunker.

-Miscellaneous tips-

• Become comfortable with your gun's iron sights, to the point where a scope is not needed.
• Gun upgrades are usually required. Rarely, if ever, is a gun great right out of the box.
• Always hold the gun's stock tight against your shoulder to reduce recoil.
• Invest in the largest magazine you can find; hi- cap. drum mags are a good choice.
• Practice reloading speed often; the faster you can reload, the faster you can get back into the game.
• Even though you have the ability to remain in one spot, don't abuse it. Sooner or later, someone will take note of you firing, and try to overtake the bunker. If you have teammates, they will help defend it. If not, then plan relocation.

Assault

The force that makes up the majority of an airsoft team is the assault group. The assault group is in charge of moving the battle forward, taking objectives, etc. The average assault player has an AEG (Automatic Electric Gun).

An assault squad usually consists of 4-5 players or up to 8-10 players in larger games. They are the backbone behind the operations, and are usually in charge of the initial frontal attack on the enemy. While this may seem like a simple task, it is hardly easy. If you happen to be part of an assault group, or wish to become one, here area few tips to help.

1. Stay together- If you or one of your squad members are caught alone or away from the group, they are as good as dead. In this aspect, airsoft is like lions hunting prey; the attackers will go after the lone player, instead of taking out the whole group. Moving as a group is vital, so that if there is an attack from any direction, the group can counter it.

2. Be observant- The sooner you can spot the enemy and evaluate where they are, the sooner you can form a plan an eliminate the threat. This can work defensively as well; if you spot a potential ambush, flank the opposing team. Try to find high ground and see if you can spot the enemy team, and plan accordingly.

3. Be prepared- When an attack could spring at any time, it helps to be ready for anything. Keep your gun up and ready when traveling through enemy territory, but don't aim your gun, as it is easy to get tunnel vision. If you cannot see the enemy team, be extra careful, as they may be planning an ambush; try to have a plan in case of a suprise attack. This is prevelent in the case of equipment as well. Pack all necessary equipment such as a speed loader, extra mags, a secondary weapon, or even food and water if the game will be long.

4. Accuracy- Accuracy is extremely important for all players, but if you are going to be in the middle of the action, you want to make sure that you hit what you're shooting at. Practice shooting at different ranges often,

and always use semi-auto unless you're dealing with multiple targets at a shorter distance. This helps reduce

noise, and save ammo.

For your chosen weapon, an AEG is the best choice for the main attack force. Brands such as Classic Army, Jing Gong, Echo 1, Tokyo Marui, and UTG all produce extremely well-made guns, and while rather expensicve, they arevery durable and efficient. Finding out the right gun for you is about trial and error. Some prefer assault rifles, whereas others prefer smaller sub-machine guns. Your local firing range might let you test out different weapons; this can help you get a rough idea of how the replica gun feels. Warning: if you are under 18, then the store might not let you fire the weapon.

Classic Army G36C

Tokyo Marui FAMAS

Sniping

Sniping. It sounds great doesn't it? Taking out your foes with surgical precision form an unknown vantage point. It's the perfect way to add the element of fear to the battlefield.

Sniping is a skill that requires days upon days of practice for each element of of the job to get good. The sniper usually isn't going to rack up the kills on the field, but he or she is probably the most efficient player on the team. Contrary to popular belief, the sniper's job is not to wait in one spot, and shoot. About 80% of the sniper's game is spent hidden behind enemy lines, relaying important information (such as enemy placement and positions or the best route for his team to take.) to the team commander. Occasionally, the sniper is asked or required to take a shot. This is where precision is most crucial. He or she must prioritize their targets according to the biggest threat to their team. Do they take out the commander, and ruin the other team's communications, look for a counter-sniper to reduce the risk of being spotted, or go for the infantry to weaken up the attack force, so his team can move in with minimal difficulty?

Decisions like this are commonplace in the sniper's game. After playing many games as a sniper, and owning an airsoft sniper myself, I have prepared a short guide on how to be proficient as a sniper. Enjoy! :]

Guide to Sniping: One Shot, One Kill

Playing the sniper is a tricky, complex job usually saved for an experienced player. However, there are some usefull tips on how to improve your game as a sniper.

1. Stealth- Undoubtedly the most important aspect of the snipers game is the ability to remain hidden. The most effiecient way to conceal yourself is to wear a ghillie suit. (See above image). A ghillie suit is a full-body suit usually made of strips of burlap or jute, sewn to a piece of clothing. Try to scout out the area you will be playing in, and attach pieces of foliage that will help you blend into the corresponding environment. (You dont want to wear a bushy suit if your playing in the desert). Try to sew or tie additional flaps onto your suit to break up your outline. The human eye is keen on the body's outline, so adding something that will remove your body's basic outline, you'll be that much more invisible.

Another important note is movement. The most obvious thing human's can detect is movement. Try to make your movements as slow and deliberate as possible. As environmental effects such as wind to conceal your movements, and stay as low as possible while still being able to move quickly and quietly to safety in case of emergencies.

2. The Shot- Obviously, if you cant hit the broad side of a barn, you might need some accuracy training before trying to snipe. The scope is like a surgeon's magnifying glass to the sniper. Most people ,when using a scope, try to put their eye right up to the scope. This is a bad idea. This reduces your field of vision when using the scope, and its bad for your eyes. The recoil of the gun firing slamming against your eye is not the most comfortable experience. Try to keep the scope about 2 in. away from your eye, or until the black ring around your vision when your looking throught the scope is gone.

Many people have a problem with having a steady hand when aiming, and as a result, their accuracy suffers. One very useful tip I have found is to take a deep breath, and let it out half-way, then hold it. I have no idea how this works, but it does. On the subject of steadyness, the bi-pod is an attachable piece of equipment (pictured below) that 'stands' your gun, so you can focus on just lifting the back of your gun, so you no longer have to use two hands to aim. Combine this with the half-breath technique, and you have just increased your accuracy ten-fold.

Well, that's it for now, I will update this when I think up and test new techniques.