Splat you out !

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Airman 1st Class Ryan Good 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron shoots a paintball from his marker during a paintball match here, Aug 3. The team practices every Wednesday and Saturday on the Paintball course on the north end of base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Splat you out !

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Airman 1st Class Vincent Cunningham, 509th Operations Support Squadron aviation resource management and Captain of the Whiteman Nightmare, crouches behind a barrier to block himself from the opposing team's fire, Aug. 3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

Airmen revive Whiteman paintball team

Published Aug. 18, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.,- -- Quarter-inch barrels kiss the nylon barrier awaiting the reverb of the game-starting whistle. The alarm sounds and the team members sling their weapons into firing positions while darting for cover. Droplets of sweat roll down the team member's foreheads and heavy breaths fog their goggles as enemy fire fills the space around them. Standing behind barricades, with weapons aimed down-field, the team strategizes how to approach their enemies. Alert and ready, they wait to shoot.

The team runs onto the field supporting the Air Force logo on their shoulder, they are the Whiteman Nightmare, the base paintball team.

Since the opening of the base-field in 2007, many paintball teams have been created, but the recently formed Nightmare have a desire to leave a legacy for future paintballers. Nine-members strong, the team has received minor sponsorships and is open to anyone with base access.

Airman Vincent E. Cunningham, the team's lead who has played semi-professional paintball for years, is willing to share his knowledge of the sport. He supports anyone interested in joining the team or wanting to learn more about paintball.

"We just wanted people to know we are here for them," Airman Cunningham said. "There's no limit to players and we could always use volunteers in skirmishes."

The team hosts games Wednesdays and Saturdays, and have a flexible schedule to meet other's needs.

"I encourage everyone to come out and give it a try," said Staff Sgt. James Anderson, team member. "With the experience on the team, new players can learn a lot about the sport."

A maximum of five players are allowed on the field at a time during tournament play. Games have a wide-variety of objectives to include capture the flag and elimination. Once hit with paint, the player must raise their marker to signal their elimination to the referee. There are a number of equipment regulations to ensure safety and equality. The American Paintball League's Standard Rule Book for Tournament Paintball has more on the sport.

"Wednesdays have a practice feel, where Saturdays are more oriented around us promoting the base field," said Sergeant Anderson.

Supporting the team and anyone with base access are two fields. The first is lined with plastic barriers and is open every day from dawn to dusk. The second, a speedball course, or tournament style field with inflatable cover, is set up by the Nightmare every Saturday at 10 a.m. Both fields are free to use.

For those interested in playing recreationally, but lack gear, the outdoor recreation has guns, paintballs, masks, hoppers and tanks available for rental.

For team questions or information, call Airman Cunningham at (660) 687-1124

For information on the field and rentals, call Outdoor Recreation at (660) 687-5564