War is declared as paintball battle rages in local training area

Story and photos by Kevin S. Abel
USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office

Players perform squad-based movements in attempt to corner their enemy and engage the opposing team by using covering fire, allowing a player to maneuver and flank them.
Players perform squad-based movements in attempt to corner their enemy and engage the opposing team by using covering fire, allowing a player to maneuver and flank them.

If you are new to the community, Stuttgart Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation can help you answer one of the most common questions asked by Service members, civilians and their family members upon arriving, “What’s there to do around here?”.

For Stuttgart area residents, whether military, family members, civilians, or local nationals there is an opportunity in the local training area (LTA) near Panzer Kaserne: Paintball.

Unlike many paintball groups who conduct the game in an open field with a few man-made barriers in a fast paced game known as speedball, Family and MWR uses the wooded terrain of the LTA. The wooded terrain adds to the complexity and excitement of the event and make everyone work together as a team and strategize to defeat the opposing force.

Players are divided into two teams and generally play a variety of games such as capture the flag, save the president and elimination. Teams are picked using schoolhouse rules before each event, while still allowing teams who show up together to stay intact as a team as much as possible.

Safety is a major concern for outdoor recreation and is taken seriously as staff briefs all patrons on all rules and regulations before any games are played, and ensures that safety equipment is present and worn properly. Safety masks must be worn the entire time you are in the paintball field.

Blue Force team members push forward to the opposing team positions in the local training area woodland paintball field at the Outdoor Recreation paintball event.
Blue Force team members push forward to the opposing team positions in the local training area woodland paintball field at the Outdoor Recreation paintball event.

Players must be 16 years of age. If under 18 years old a parent/guardian must be on site at all times. It is recommended players wear clothing that they don’t mind getting paint on and sturdy over-ankle boots. Most wear camouflage.

Family and MWR’s Outdoor Recreation has standard paintball equipment for rent including a marker, safety mask plus 500 paintballs for $25.00, or players may bring their own equipment. Additional paint is available for purchase ($15/bag). German law requires that all markers have the “F” stamp indicating they meet the required feet per second rating.

The paintball fields are open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A shuttle bus is available from Outdoor Recreation on Panzer Kaserne, building 2953 at 9 a.m. and will return at 4:30 p.m.

You have just three more days this fall to splatter paint on your opponents, trees and fortified areas of the LTA paintball field. Call Family and MWR Outdoor Recreation at DSN 431-2774 or Civ. +49 (0)7031-15-2774 to reserve your marker in these upcoming events on Aug., 13, 27 and Sept. 3.

Check out other events in the community by Stuttgart Family and MWR by visiting their website.

Additional photos of past events on our Flicker Site.