Being an Airsoft Sniper

The Airsoft sniper has special abilities, training and equipment. His job is to deliver discriminatory highly accurate rifle fire against enemy targets, which cannot be engaged successfully by a rifleman with an Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) because of range, size, location, fleeting nature, or visibility. Sniping requires the development of basic infantry skills to a high degree of perfection. A sniper's training incorporates a wide variety of subjects designed to increase his value as a force multiplier and to ensure his survival on an Airsoft battlefield. The art of Airsoft sniping requires learning and repetitiously practicing these skills until mastered. An Airsoft sniper must be highly trained in long-range rifle marksmanship and field craft skills to ensure maximum effective engagements with minimum risk.

An Airsoft sniper must be able to calmly and deliberately “hit” targets that may not pose an immediate threat to him. Airsoft sniper whose motivation toward Airsoft sniping rests mainly in the desire for prestige, may not be capable of the rationality that the Airsoft sniper's job requires.

The primary mission of an Airsoft sniper is collecting and reporting “battlefield” information. The secondary mission of an Airsoft sniper in Airsoft combat is to support Airsoft combat operations by delivering precise long-range fire on selected targets. By this, the Airsoft sniper creates casualties among opposing team, slows the opposing team’s movement, “frightens” opposing team members, lowers morale, and adds confusion to their operations.

A well-trained Airsoft sniper, combined with the inherent accuracy of his rifle and ammunition, is a versatile supporting arm available to an Airsoft team. The importance of the Airsoft sniper cannot be measured simply by the number of casualties he inflicts upon the opposition. Realization of the Airsoft sniper's presence instills fear in the opposition elements and influences their decisions and actions.

An Airsoft sniper enhances a team’s firepower and augments the varied means for elimination and harassment of the opposition. Whether an Airsoft sniper is organic or attached, he will provide that team with extra supporting fire. The Airsoft sniper's role is unique in that it is the sole means by which a team can engage point targets at distances beyond the effective range of the Automatic Electric Gun (AEG). This role becomes more significant when the target is entrenched or positioned among “civilians”, or during “riot control” missions. The fires of automatic weapons in such operations can result in the “hitting” of noncombatants.

Airsoft snipers are employed in all levels of conflict. This includes conventional offensive and defensive Airsoft combat in which precision fire is delivered at long ranges. It also includes combat patrols, ambushes, counter sniper operations, military operations in urbanized terrain (MOUT), and retrograde operations (falling back or retreating) in which Airsoft snipers are part of forces left in contact or as stay-behind forces. Missing, hanging around and shooting again is not an option in this “one-shot, one-kill” mindset.

The designated marksman acts as a member of a team/squad under the direction of the team/squad leader. Although normally functioning as a rifleman within one of the fire teams in a rifle squad, the designated marksman is usually armed with a modified M4 (AEG). He is employed at the direction of the team/squad leader or reorganized with the other squads' designated marksmen into an Airsoft sniper section. He/she is trained to “hit” high-payoff opposing team targets (such as the opposition’s automatic rifle teams, antitank teams, and snipers) with precision fires.

Today's Airsoft Player engages targets only out to approximately 50 meters. This 50-meter limit is well short of the sniper weapon/ammunition combination's capability. Airsoft snipers engage targets at approximately 80 meters and possibly beyond. The squad designated marksman (SDM) will be able to engage targets in the "no man's land" gap that exists between that of the average Airsoft Player and the sniper. Possessing the ability to estimate range, detect targets, and place effective, well-aimed fire on those intermediate range targets, the SDM plays a vital role on the modern Airsoft battlefield.

The primary mission of the SDM is to deploy as a member of the rifle squad. The SDM is a vital member of his individual squad and not a squad sniper. He fires and maneuvers with his squad and performs all the duties of the standard rifleman. The SDM has neither the equipment nor training to operate individually or in a small team to engage targets at extended ranges with precision fires.

The secondary mission of the SDM is to engage key targets from 50 to 80 meters with effective, well-aimed fires using the standard weapon system and standard ammunition. He may or may not be equipped with an optic. The SDM must, therefore, possess a thorough understanding and mastery of the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship as well as ballistics (BBs), elevation and windage hold-off, sight manipulation, and range estimation.

The Airsoft sniper squad is a modular organization consisting of a squad leader and two similarly equipped three-man sniper teams. Each team, consisting of the team leader, one sniper, and one observer, is capable of providing the Airsoft battlefield commander with a full range of sniper support. As an example, the team maybe equipped with both the M24 Airsoft sniper rifle (6 mm BB with an upgraded spring kit) and the.50-caliber XM107 Airsoft sniper rifle (8 mm BB with an upgraded spring kit). Every few months, companies are coming out with sniper rifles and upgrade kits.

The spotter is usually the most experienced member of the sniper team. It’s the spotter’s job to make sure the shooter is set up. The spotter calls the range and the “windage”, or how much wind is blowing and which way. Once dialed in and/or set-up, the shooter says he’s ready, and the spotter leans in to monitor the shot. “Send it”, the spotter says.

The third member of the sniper team is equipped with an M203 rifle system to provide protection and security for the Airsoft sniper and his spotter as well as a means to break contact if the team is compromised. Airsoft sniper teams avoid contact until they have identified their targets. Involvement in sustained close combat is not the optimal employment of sniper teams.

Generally in Airsoft the sniper isn’t going to “dial in his shot” (he/she may), there are two many variables, especially when the target is relatively close and the weight of the BB is easily moved by the wind. As a “rule of thumb” in Airsoft, once compromised, the Airsoft sniper is taken out or “hit” very quickly.

Airsoft snipers have played a large role in urban combat. They have been used to disrupt operations, inflict “casualties”, and tie down large numbers of troops searching for them. The accuracy of Airsoft weapons, the three-dimensional aspect of urban battlefields, and the many alleyways, corridors, and rear exits available to an Airsoft sniper make him a serious threat. Leaders at all levels must be aware of the value of employing Airsoft snipers and the threat posed by opposition snipers. They must understand the effects an Airsoft sniper can have on a team/squad, and the steps by which he can be countered and his threat minimized.

Airsoft snipers can be valuable to a team/squad. Since Rules of Engagement (ROE) normally limit collateral damage and “civilian casualties”, Airsoft snipers can selectively engage key individuals who pose a threat to friendly forces.

Shooting is a perishable skill. You can be proficient without having to shoot all the time. But to be at the top of your game, to be a “champion”, you have to practice.