It was our first time to attend Border War, considered to be the best airsoft event in the world according to airsoft players as it won the Best Airsoft Event Award at the Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards four times in a row.  Most of our interactions with Border War was with Mike Von Bulow, the man behind the event, as we communicated and met up at the IWA Outdoor Classics each year or whenever he is London if his other job tells him to. But for Border War 8: The Warchief, we made sure that we have to see for ourselves what makes this event tick.

Whilst Border War 8: The Warchief was slated to for the 22nd to the 24th of April 2016, the activities started on the 21st of April, where players started arriving and setting up camp. Before the action started the next day, the 21st is really about festivities where players get to meet up with veterans of the event, check the parade grounds where the Czech Army had on display some of the hardware they have such as the Pandur II APC. We did get some photos and videos from those who attended the event showing them inside the Pandur II, as an export version is manufactured in the Czech Republic.

Players, organizers and sponsors were on a party mood on the 21st with goodies given away, photo ops with the role players such as the cowboys and indians. The weather was very much cooperative, with the sun fully out shining brightly on the crowds below. Non-alcoholic beer was served, which will disappoint some who were used to flowing beer at other airsoft events, but nevertheless the beer tasted good, and the famous sausages were flying off the grill as players kept on coming back to order them. The food being served by the caterer was the best we’ve tried in all these years we’ve been going to airsoft events. But of course, we haven’t been to all the airsoft events in the world.

At the safe zone the sponsors who set up booths steadied themselves for the needs of the airsoft players. Valken Tactical’s eye protection were already depleted when we talked to Janek, good thing there are other vendors there such as Bohemia Airsoft ready to provide the ammo they needed. Also having their displays were Gunfire, Action Sport Games, Tippmann (who were able to sell their HPA M4 units), Jackets To Go, Tactical Pro, Voodoo Tactical Europe, KHS Tactical Watches, and Military Gear and Adventure Food. Other sponsors of the event were G&G Armament, RedWolf Airsoft, Airsoft & Military News Blog, and Military1st.co.uk.

The 22nd of April was the start of hostilities, but before the shooting started, all players and groups were in formations on the parade ground in the morning, with Mike Von Bulow atop the Pandur II giving a briefing to all players on how the game shall be conducted. The groups were all given their mission packs and tasks for the weekend, and were all commanded by experienced veterans of Border War.  Sparco of the Task Force - 225 was in a Drill Sergeant getup before changing into his loadout for the game.

Just like any airsoft event held over the a large area, in this case around 10 square kilometres of woodland and hills, that even if you’ve got thosuasands of fully armed airsoft players, contact does not come easy. In this case, having advanced units searching for enemy positions and calling in the main body for any contact would always make sense. It was not always rock and roll, and when contact happens, it will be always be quick. But there are also some large scale frontal attacks that ensure to pump the adrenalin in players.

What also makes this game significant is the air mobile feature, where players get heli insertion missions on the first day of the game.  This way, they did not have to march all the way to their mission objectives their camps and besides, choppers are always cool to have in any big airsoft event.

Master Chief and I went around to check the camps, starting first with the Task Force, then going to the PMC camp and the Village. You’ll find an assortment of interactions --- the Task Force troops doing road patrols; the PMCs waiting for the highest bidder before they move into action; going to the Shamans to get some predictions; and of course the cowboys who have put a poster of Chuck Norris in one of the salons.

Up the road, we see a group of troops from the Task Force trying to get up a hill but they are just being mowed down by militia troops hidden in the trees and have vantage view. They were well hidden that we were not able to see them shooting on the Task Force patrol, with their medic being kept busy as he tried to revive wounded troops.

Along the way, we got to meet some troops who were given the task to tell their war stories to journalists. In this case, we were the obvious journalists with our cameras and hi-viz jackets.  That means that we were also part of the game, rather than just mere spectators or passive recorders of the event.

Our first impression of the first day was that a lot of things were happening all at once, not exactly in terms of firefights, but in the various scenes that players need to contend with in the pursuit of their tasks and missions. They may seem to be unrelated to each other but if you look at the big picture, you get to understand that these are all parts of the same story. And it is about the civil war in the state of Tacas with a rebellion being led by a billionaire cowboy with his militia and Eagle warriors, demanding that they secede from Tacas for the unpatriotic reason of avoiding taxes.  But you know how the plot goes, the powers-that-be in Tacas sent in their powerful Task Force to quell the rebellion, though they were given a beating by the insurrectionists in the beginning as they were very much familiar with their territory.

On the 23rd, it was our turn to do some airborne reconnoitering. Mike Von Bulow arranged for us to have the helicopter bring us around the whole game area and for me and Master Chief to mark out the areas where we have not covered yet. The whole AO (area of operations) is a combination of a off road racing facility, a natural park, and a military reservation area. Mike explained that the area housed nuclear missiles during the time the Czech Republic was part of the Warsaw Pact. Bunkers and pillboxes dotted the area, and there are hardened tunnels that protected the mobile missile launchers from the air attacks. From afar, we saw the Bezděz Castle, an imposing and hard to access castle (tactically) by land when it was founded in 1264.

After the chopper ride, we immediately went further into the AO, now getting caught into more firefights as the commanders intensified their attacks on the various factions involved in the civil war. In one instance, we saw members of the Movement of the Holy Purge taking hostage some TF-225 troopers but were then under attack by a platoon from the Task Force determined to rescue their own. The religious fanatics were then reinforced, and an intense firefight took place than even us, “journalists” were caught in the crossfire. I got hit, and became a casualty of war.

Getting from one camp to another will tax you, especially if you are not fit and if you do not familiarize yourself with the map provided. To walk from the safe zone to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the militias will take around a distance of 4 kilometres. We trudged to ensure that we get to cover most of the AO for our report. After doing some of the walking for the rest of the morning, we got back to the safe zone for some lunch as the afternoon will be another round of checking out the factions together with Von Bulow and Slavek of the organizing group. But this time, we will be using the ATVs.

We again went back to the FOB of the Militias, finding the leaders directing the action from there and monitoring troop movements on the map. So far in the afternoon, the militias were doing some actions to repel any attacks from the Task Force and their allies (if they were able to get the PMC’s services) and pressing on to other objectives in the day. From there we moved to the main HQ of the militias where the commander is high spirits as reports of the militia units putting the FOB of the Task Force under extreme pressure. Also, we were given a tour of the HQ where various militia units, in a hodge podge of uniforms, were resting and preparing for the next missions.

Moving on, we were able to get to the Task Force FOB that was under attack and it was bloody. We saw a lot of hi-viz jackets out, which means, a lot of casualties on both sides. But it we were at the right moment as the remaining militia units made the final push to capture the FOB, and finally succeeding this time. Celebratory gunfire ensued and we were able to talk to Commander Sparco of the Task Force, giving credit to all the players, especially to the Militias’ determined effort to put the FOB out of action.

From there, we checked out the medical facility that was setup by Medevac.cz. Border War is so far the most well-equipped game in terms of medical facilities, as it has to meet the Role 2 medical preparedness as require by Czech authorities, and that preparedness is the ability to handle a 25,000 person event such as concert. Border War may not have 25,000, but for any airsoft player, that capability to handle such numbers, as they have ambulances, paramedics, surgeons, internists, and quad bikes ready to respond to any medical emergency and they have makeshift beds to provide first aid and immediate care to any airsoft player needing medical attention.

The 24th of April also means that most of the players were already packing up. But for those who still have some action left into them, Mike Von Bulow whipped them into a formidable force. Now taking command of the Task Force and commanding an armoured vehicle, he was still able to put together around 300 Task Force and supporting units to overrun the village and take the fight against the militias. Just like a dictator of a Banana Republic (his own description, not ours), he just mowed down anyone on the way. What a way to end the game, with an iron fist.

By 12 noon, the vehicles have mainly streamed out of the AO, with players on their way back to respective countries in the AO.  Apart from European players, there were players representing Brazil, the Philippines, and the USA and thus, giving it a more international outlook.

Overall, what fascinated us is the level of organization of Border War. Mike Von Bulow is fiercely proud of the Border War Crew. The crew is relaxed but well prepared for any eventuality, with over 200 members of the organizers ready to meet the needs of the airsoft players and put order and sanity to over 2,000 players who wanted to see the action quick. In our experience over the years of going massive airsoft events, either as media, players, or both, the Border War Crew was very much on top of everything. I am sure there were complaints since not everyone can be pleased, but overall it is very much a very well-oiled machine. From the moment we entered the AO, the parking was quickly sorted out, food was not a problem, medical facilities were excellent, and AO security strictly enforced (we experienced this first hand on our attempt to enter the dead zone without our bands).

Such an organization is crucial to the success of any airsoft event, big or small and the Border War Crew just made it seem easy. If you are looking into organizing an event similar to Border War, or Berget, or Ground Zero, we highly recommend to you to attend Border War, you will learn a lot.

As we drove back towards Prague for some quick R&R before flying back home, Master Chief and I decided that for next year, we’ll be back as media and at the same time as players immersed in the game to give you a first-hand account of the battles that will take place for Border War 9.

If you have been wondering why Border Wars has been voted the Best Airsoft Event four times in a row by airsoft players, the secret is out of the open --- an excellent and well-prepared organization.

See you next year!