US Forces Loadout
From Airsoft Community Wiki
Loadouts based on the armed forces of the United States are without doubt some of the most popular at skirmish sites.
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General Information
Having one of the largest armed forces in the world, the United States of America is subsequently engaged in many conflicts worldwide- recent notable conflicts include both Gulf Wars and the invasion of Afghanistan. As a result, a large amount of airsofters choose to replicate the loadouts of the various branches of the US armed forces:
- US Army
- US Marine Corps (USMC)
- US Navy
- US Air Force
- US Special Forces
Camouflage
Each branch of the US armed forces operates in a distinctly different way, and often in entirely different theaters. As a result, each branch has its own, distinct camouflage pattern.
US Woodland
The US Woodland "BDU" (battle-dress uniform) has been the standard camouflage pattern for all branches of the US armed forces for some time, only being replaced fairly recently. The most modern variation of US Woodland was first issued in 1981, and used four colours:
- Light Green
- Dark Green
- Brown
- Black
The pattern was also issued in several variants- General (temperate), Highland (more brown), Lowland (more green) and "Delta", a more transitional pattern.
Worn with black boots.
Desert Tricolour/'Choc-chip'
The standard issue desert version of the Woodland BDU is of a similar pattern, usng three colours instead of six. A six colour, "chocolate chip" pattern was designed in 1962 and was issued in the early 90's. However, US forces returned to using the older "tricolour" pattern BDUs, before adopting their own patterns.
Worn with desert/tan boots.
Army Combat Uniform (ACU)
ACU is the new pattern in use by the US Army. The battledress blends green, grey and tan in a pixellated pattern- also known as a "universal camouflage pattern"- and is particularly effective for desert and urban fighting. The design was intended to be effective in woodland combat, but many users in airsoft have found ACU to be too bright, earning the nickname of "ICU".
Worn with desert/tan boots.
MARine PATtern (MARPAT)
The Marine Corps' MARPAT is also of a pixellated pattern. It is available in both woodland and desert variants, the former combining the usual greens, browns and black and the latter various shades of brown and tan. Woodland MARPAT is particularly effective in the UK in the winter, since the abundance of browns in the pattern match the lack of foliage well. The Marines were the first branch of the US Military to adopt a digital camouflage uniform. Genuine uniforms will not only have the Marines' Eagle, Globe and Anchor symbol embroidered on the left breast pocket and on MarPat covers, but will also have small EGAs printed into the pattern. This was to stop other services carbon-copying the pattern.
Both desert and woodland uniforms are issued with coyote brown or Olive Mojave boots.
Airman Battle Uniform (ABU)
The Air Force is currently running trials with the new ABU, a design based on the Tigerstripe pattern seen in Vietnam. If this pattern becomes issue, it is likely to find its way onto the skirmish field.
Weapons of the US Armed Forces
M16 Rifle
The standard issue of US servicemen and women since its introduction in 1960. Current issue models are the M16A2, which has a fixed rearsight assembly/carry handle; and the M16A4, which replaces the fixed rearsight of the A2 with a picatinny rail for mounting optics such as the Trijicon ACOG or the M68 Close Combat Optic. Both rifles retain a three round burst feature instead of fully-automatic fire of the older M16/M16A1 rifles.
Designated Marksman variants exist in all branches, and are generally accurised M16A4 rifles fitted with free floating rail systems such as the Knights Armament FF RAS or those of other manufacturers such as PRI. These rifles are generally fitted with a bipod and some kind of magnifying optic.
The USMC also fit the vast majority of their issue M16A4 weapons with the M5 RAS.
Airsoft models of the M16 are readily available, manufactured by Tokyo Marui, Classic Army, G&G and others. Airsoft M16 rifles do not feature a burst factility, but are fully automatic.
M4 Carbine
The M4 Carbine is generally issued to tank crews, elite troops and special forces, and features 80% parts commonality with the M16A2/A4 rifles. The original M4 featured the three-round burst from these rifles, whereas the newer M4A1 has fully automatic fire.
Many M4 Carbines are fitted with RIS systems as part of the SOPMOD (Special OPerations MODification) kit, allowing the attachment of vertical grips, flashlights and lasers, depending on the mission brief.
This rifle is perhaps the most popular rifle in the airsoft world and is easily available, with almost every major manufacturer offering some kind of M4 variant.
MP5 Sub-machinegun series
A 9mm calber sub-machine gun, produced by renowned german maker Heckler & Koch, it is currently used by US marine "Force Recon" and the FBI Hostage rescue teams, as it is ideal for the sort of operations that those units undertake.
The MP-5 is considered to be the worlds pre-emininent sub-machine gun, light, compact, and comparatively accurate.
Law enforcment teams, such as US SWAT or UK Armed Response also use the MP-5 as it provides the firepower they need when they deploy.
MP-5's can also be modified with a massive array of parts, such as lights, Rail systems and supressors, as and when required.
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon series
M9 Pistol
Sig Sauer P226 Pistol
M24 Sniper Weapon System
M40 Sniper Weapon System
M82 Anti-material Rifle
H&K Mk .23 SOCOM
A .45 ACP caliber, double action pistol, produced by Heckler and Koch of germany, it is most often issued to special operations units.
operators have always had mixed views on the Mk. 23, but all share the view that it is a superb combat handgun, being accurate, and possessing good stopping power. The biggest issue with operators is the weapons physical size, and in light of this, many prefer the H&K USP Tactical, as it possesses many of the the good points of the Mk.23 in a smaller package.
The Mk.23 is a railed pistol, meaning that devices such a tactical lights and laser aiming modules can be attached if needed. something which has become popular in video games and recreational pursuits such as airsoft.
