PHILIPPINE AIRSOFT SWAT: Dressed to kill

Brahma

15 Oct 2008

A look at the SWAT Airsofters Philippines, all in a day's work for these guys. Photos are provided by Ogre and thanks to Shaq for the Abu Ghraib CQB site --- “Shots fired! Shots fired! There’s a 2-11 in progress. Officer down. Suspect is armed and dangerous...” Familiar lines? Who hasn’t heard those lines from the cult flick SWAT? Maybe some of us grew up watching the TV series.

Of course, no serious SWAT impressionist wouldn’t know that the Special Weapons And Tactics began in 1 August 1966 in Austin, Texas, when Charles Whitman climbed the tower at the University of Texas. Whitman then went on a shooting spree, killing 15 people and wounding 31 before two Austin Police officers were able to climb the tower and stop Whitman. Together with the Watts riots of the early 1960s, Whitman's shootings were considered the impetus for establishing SWAT teams and other task forces to deal with situations beyond normal police procedures.

SWAT Airsoft: Philippine style

Browsing through the Pictures and Videos Section of www.filairsoft.com, I stumbled upon a bunch of Filipino airsoft players dedicated to dressing-up the “SWAT-way”, sans the usual gait and swagger, of course. Looking at the group’s photos, one can just admire at how these guys strive to be as truthful to the real SWAT in terms of loadout, weapons and gears.

The SWAT Airsofters Philippines—the club’s official name—came to being in January 2008. The idea to form a club and meet every month (known as a call-up) started with individuals posting a photo of himself in his best SWAT impression. Soon, it evolved into an avenue for discussions on “what is and what is not a SWAT loadout”. But aside from completing the correct SWAT loadouts, the group aims to think, act and engage the 'enemies' like the real SWAT, thus tactics training came to picture. Similarly, they try to learn basic CQC tactics and maneuvering from members who are trained in real-life scenarios and apply them during the games.

So, it's unlikely that you will see them shout at each other during a game, but rather you'd see them doing radio comm, eye contacts and hand signals.

Keeping to heart the saying, there is no “best” or “only” way to conduct a certain method or tactic, but always another way to perform the same level of instruction, the SWAT Airsofters Philippines turned to RecceSix—a real-deal Philippine SWAT operator—for training and guidance.

The Six Rs of training

Sitting-in with the group’s 2nd call-up in Abu Ghraib, a premier CQB site south of Metro Manila, I have learned about the Six Rs of SWAT training:

Recent. The objectives provided must be recent in the SWAT community. Instructing SWAT members on using a revolver for entry would not be recent, but using a 40mm launcher would apply.
Relevant. Training must be relevant to the job. Instructing SWAT on how to conduct an unknown risk vehicle stop would not be relevant, but how to safely conduct a vehicle assault would.
Repetitive. SWAT trainees ts must perform the task over and over again to understand it and feel confident in their ability. There may not be any time to react; therefore, it must be instinctive.
Realistic. Make it as real as possible. Provide water survival drills while wearing full SWAT loadouts and gears or constantly alter situations and missions to instil a level of confidence and reduce the possibility of panic during a mission if something goes wrong.
Review. Provide immediate feedback on performance. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
Responsibility. This very well could be the most important of all six. The members must realize that the training they receive is only valuable if they believe and continue to practice. It is their responsibility to train.

What sets the SWAT Airsofters Philippines from other police-themed airsoft clubs

Presently, the group has 13 members—a SWAT Commander, responsible for the unit's activities; two Squad Leaders with five-man squad each; and two snipers/observers. Each squad leader directs the tactical deployment of the team. Squad leaders must have a thorough understanding of all team positions and the ability to make quick, effective decisions under pressure.

The group does not recruit actively at the moment but anyone who is into SWAT/Police stuffs is free to join them during monthly call-ups. It is imperative, though, that one must have a complete SWAT loadout and gears and have an appropriate weapon such M4 or MP5. In other words, please don't come in your SWAT loadout with an AK47 or perhaps a Steyr AUG.

Being more of SWAT hardcore enthusiasts and reenactors, rather than just plain airsofters clad in black BDUs, they adhere to a specific checklist SWAT operators’ loadouts, which include among others, a body armor vests or tactical load bearing vests (for carrying ammunition and specialist gear and equipment), Nomex or other tactical gloves, balaclavas, protective eye goggles, Kevlar helmet (PASGT) and/or gas mask, taclights, radio communications equipment, combat steel reinforced boots, knee and elbow pads, and drop leg utility pouches and holsters. Other members prefer hip holsters though.

Game style and armory

Since many members of the group come from various airsoft teams and have prior commitments to their respective mother teams, they agreed to just meet once a month, and then decide which gamesite to visit.

As for the style of play, of course, close quarter combat (CQC) in an urban environment is their preference, as well as mission-based scenarios where the group can employ basic tactics learned from previous call-ups.

Preferred weapons are assault rifles (M4s), submachines guns (MP5 and UMP), carbines, shotguns (Benelli M3) and sniper rifles. Sidearm is a must for everyone, and is typically Glock and Sig Sauer series.

For added realism, plans to incorporate the use of smoke grenades in their games are on the way. Flashbang might be too expensive, and tear gas might just force everyone out of the gamesite, so it’s out of the question.