| One of the most important roles on the airsoft | | | | of shots, usually 7 or 8, with short breaks |
| field is that of Support Gunner. Also known as | | | | between. Not only does this prevent overheating, |
| Gunners, Machine Gunners and Automatic | | | | but it keeps your enemy guessing. |
| Rifleman, a Support Gunner is responsible for | | | | - Defensive Suppressive Fire. Just as a Support |
| providing rapid, high-power fire in both defensive | | | | Gunner can allow allied movement, they can also |
| and offensive tactical capacities on the airsoft | | | | prevent enemy advancement. This is especially |
| field. Not only are Gunners a critical strategic | | | | useful in games where guarding a target is critical, |
| element, but they also have the good fortune of | | | | such as capture the flag. With this strategy, again, |
| operating high-powered, rapid fire, high capacity | | | | reloading can become an opportunity for the |
| SAWs (Squad Automatic Weapons). An effective | | | | enemy. Long-term continuous rapid fire that |
| Gunner understands his or her weapon, the | | | | suddenly stops is a dead giveaway that a Gunner |
| objective, and how enemy forces tend to move. | | | | is reloading and grants the enemy the opportunity |
| They need not be fast and maneuverable, like | | | | to advance on the target. |
| snipers and infantry, but they must control their | | | | - Defensive Cover. Similar to defensive |
| weapon to hold key areas of the battlefield. | | | | suppressive fire, defensive cover is useful during |
| The following is a list a specific uses for a Support | | | | times of retreat or escape. The Gunner provides |
| Gunner on the airsoft field. | | | | a wall of bullets to cover team members when |
| - Offensive Ally Advancement. Perhaps the most | | | | they are pinned down or escaping, a popular |
| traditional use of a Gunner is for ally | | | | scenario with games that involve evacuating |
| advancement. The Gunner provides rapid, | | | | hostages or prisoners. Gunners can also provide |
| suppressive fire against enemy forces, which | | | | excellent defensive cover for medics who are |
| essentially forces the enemy into a protective | | | | helping a wounded player. |
| stance, allowing allies to advance. There are two | | | | Since the main objectives of an effective Support |
| areas of risk to keep in mind with this strategy. | | | | Gunner are to suppress the enemy, provide |
| The first is friendly fire. The Gunner needs to be | | | | cover, defend an area, or wipe out a large group |
| aware of allied movement at all times and be able | | | | of enemies, it is critical to choose an effective, |
| to separate the friend from foe on the field. The | | | | rapid fire weapon. Once you have selected a |
| second is reloading. The enemy will naturally wait | | | | powerful field weapon, train yourself. Being an |
| for a Gunner to run out of airsoft ammo and | | | | effective Gunner is about more than spraying the |
| exploit that moment. For this reason, temper | | | | field with bullets. It is an exhilarating experience |
| your rapid fire to include natural breaks. Army | | | | that requires coordination, strength, training and |
| Gunners are trained to maintain a steady volume | | | | discipline. |