KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Members of an all-military airsoft team, Double Tap, practiced their war-fighting skills during Hawaii’s first military simulation airsoft game Dec. 13 at Kualoa Ranch here.
Several enthusiasts from the Hawaii airsoft community accepted the invitation to Double Tap’s war games, including a few with prior military experience.
“I haven’t played since I left the Army,” said Jason Wright, who acted as the squad leader of Double Tap’s enemies. “Now that I am a civilian, I miss the training. It brings out camaraderie that can’t be found anywhere else.”
The event presented an opportunity for all involved to play airsoft, a pastime that continues to gain popularity from service members and civilians alike.
“Traditional airsoft games line you up and you just chase your opponent with no objective,” said David Oliver, one of 20 Double Tap operators. “The point of having the MILSIM exercise is to practice combat skills like using skirmishes, hand and arm signals and communication skills.”
Members of Double Tap took defensive positions, setting up various scenarios that hone tactical skills in combat situations.
Team America put military tactics to use, as some were former military.
“Take the fight to the enemy. Don’t let them bring it to us,” Wright yelled out to his team.
Members of his team quickly took their positions and started looking for the enemy.
One of Wright’s men was taken down by sniper fire.
Just as in real life, the men called out for a medic who came rushing to the ‘wounded’ man’s aid.
This is just one of several scenarios Double Tap had set up for the game.
“Some of us just came back from war and some of us have been doing this for a long time,” said Oliver. “This training gives us all a chance to practice the skills we need to keep fresh.”
Double Tap operates in a strict, military manner from their communication to their Marine Corps-like rank structure.
“A lot of other teams tell us that we’re too organized, but it’s in our nature, being in the military,” said Angelo Catindig, the commandant of Double Tap. “We practice leadership skills that we have learned in the military in running this unit.”
Double Tap, which has been operating for more than a year, is the first of several nation-wide teams, two of which are currently heading up in San Diego and Camp Lejeune.
The team hopes to spread to every military base, and current founding members have promised to help Double Tap grow when their time comes to leave Hawaii for new duty stations.
For more information on Double Tap and future exercises, you can visit doubletap.hawaiiairsoft.us.