Airsoft in regular army?

[jakster]

Came across these photos on an military photo site.
They seem to be using airsoft by the looks of the orange muzzle flash.


U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Devon Kuny, right, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brent Beckner, center, provide cover while securing a target as Canadian Air Force Capt. Alan Lockerby, left, radios an aircraft to coordinate close air support during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich., Aug. 6, 2014. Kuny and Beckner are tactical air controllers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 148th Air Support Operations Squadron.



U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Patrick Burke runs for cover during an ambush scenario with opposing forces during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich., Aug. 6, 2014. Burkeis assigned to the Illinois National Guard's 169th Air Support Operations Squadron.



U.S. and Canadian tactical air controllers listen for opposing forces while on their way to their objective during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich., Aug. 6, 2014. The airmen are assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 148th Air Support Operations Squadron.

[Hectic]

its a great training tool, way cheaper and safer than simunition.
alot of military, police and security forces have been using it as a training method for some time.
is it just me or are some of those dudes wearing MC? Maybe a joint training with the US or the RCMP?

[Mordarski J.A.]

Apparently they're USAF members, and it was a joint training exercise in Michigan.

AS is definitely a good (and comparatively cheap) training tool as opposed to using blanks or simunition. That said, I never used AS for anything when I was in. Guess it may be a change in the times.

[Hectic]

i guess now that technically we arent in a war sim or blank training or rather "realistic" training isnt as important. Either that or yes, just a sign of changing times. Either way id say there is no beter/safer way to train for "closer combat" and especially cqb training. Obviously the range limitations really remove the realism once you take it outside for the most part, but in really dense bush and urban/indoor settings range isnt really and issue.

[Brian McIlmoyle]

I have done a couple of contracts providing training weapons and consulting for training using Airsoft guns for Cf.. well till the money dried up.. Crickets now

This was for close quarter training ..

[ThunderCactus]

much cheaper than the laser/blanks/IR sensor dealies they have. There are limitations of course, but when you're forced to engage close up, it really helps hone those skills.
You don't learn how to hunt people by shooting them 600m away. You only learn how to hunt people up close.

[mr_nuts31]

There are two reasons why the military would use airsoft for training, cost and safety. Simunition rounds can be expensive (last I check they were about $.50 each) and they also have a minimum engagement distance due to the fact that it can be fatal if shot at a close range even with the safety equipment on. With airsoft, you don`t have to worry about M.E.D. as much, and we all know how much bbs are, so cost isn`t an issue as well. Hell, with airsoft you can shoot someone point blank without the risk of serious injury or death, which can happen in a CQB enviroment.

[QKLee11]

Originally Posted by jakster

Came across these photos on an military photo site.
They seem to be using airsoft by the looks of the orange muzzle flash.


U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Devon Kuny, right, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brent Beckner, center, provide cover while securing a target as Canadian Air Force Capt. Alan Lockerby, left, radios an aircraft to coordinate close air support during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich., Aug. 6, 2014. Kuny and Beckner are tactical air controllers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 148th Air Support Operations Squadron.



U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Patrick Burke runs for cover during an ambush scenario with opposing forces during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich., Aug. 6, 2014. Burkeis assigned to the Illinois National Guard's 169th Air Support Operations Squadron.



U.S. and Canadian tactical air controllers listen for opposing forces while on their way to their objective during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich., Aug. 6, 2014. The airmen are assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 148th Air Support Operations Squadron.

Jakster you gone to OP Pine Plains with us before...we will be attending Northern Strike on Operation Grayling this weekend ran by Major Bucciarelli, Blacksheep MILSIM

For the Record United States National Guard Have been using Airsoft for years as TRG tool, Buffalo National Guard use to run MILSIM called Operation "Decisive Fury"...they used this OP as a means of Recruitment ...
PWOR and I attended thia OP in 2010

[jakster]

Hey Q!
Would love to join a good game, it's been to long.
Had to slow down a bit because of my work.
Hopefully I'll be able to join you guys again
Take care