The world’s first Action Air IPSC (International Practical Shooting Competition) Level 3 competition was held at the OPSA Ranges in Subic Freeport, Philippines. The competition was organized by our very own Joey “Storm” Rivero, who is also a MILSIMER from the Team Red Wings. It was sponsored by Mr. Kevin Chau of TSI-Tactical and Mr. Anton Cruz of Green Horizon Fortune Trading Company. I did not know as well that we had delegates from some countries in Asia such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. We also had shooters who are from different parts of the country who joined and did their best in the shooting competition. I was surprised how the sport grew so fast. I am not familiar how it goes until I witnessed it myself. It is similar to real steel; the only difference is of course, the bullets that the shooters use. It is another level of gun discipline. I remember Storm told me once, “In this kind of sport, you are competing against yourself”. 

Before it started on the 4th of June, I was hanging around with Philip Chen, the IPSC Director General of Taiwan. We had a good chat and he is a very funny guy. The range officers are always happy to be around him. We had a good laugh and exchange thoughts about the shooting challenge and what he does in Taiwan. He is a very gentle and funny person. He told me that Airsoft Practical shooting in Taiwan started about 15 years ago. He is also a fellow shooter, both real steel and airsoft and enjoys shooting very much. He said Practical Shooting is good training and exercise because you are able to use your reflexes and presence of mind.  He travels around the globe also whenever there is an IPSC competition, but he was the range officer on Stage 6 of the competition this time.  He hopes that in the future, they can hold a competition like this one in Taiwan and they can field contingent to join in future IPSC Action Air competition in another countries. Also he mentioned that he likes to see more people join and enjoy practical shooting.

We headed to the covered area where the registration is and the tables were set for breakfast and lunch. The team contingents from other Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand started arriving and we were excited to see them, of course. After having lunch, the shooters started running courses/stages. The heat was up when the Magnus Media crew arrived at the site and interviewed Mr. Joey “Storm” Rivero, Kevin Chau of 5.11 Asia, and Team Thailand. Even then, they were surprised because of the contingents from other countries. After the day was over, there were players who took their time and did not run or were not done with some stages yet, especially stages 5 and 6.

THASA (Thailand Shooters Association) brought guys from the number one cable broadcasting company from their country to film the whole event. They will broadcast it in their country to encourage more shooters. Mr. Dusadee Bualert aka “Foon” of THASA said he was proud and much honored to be part of the challenge. There were lots of things to be done and international cooperation helped them a lot in order to attend 5.11 Challenge, he added. They are the pioneers of Airsoft IPSC in Thailand and have been playing since year 2000 and formally established THASA in 2007 in order to serve as an umbrella organization that will unite the Thai IPSC community and shoot as one. They sought help from the real steel shooters in Thailand to set up the official classification of the sport. They are well versed of the basic principles and the discipline of the HKASA as well. Foon said they just practiced for less than two months in preparation for the event after they were invited by Mr. Joel Ulep from OFAPS. Foon added there was not enough time to prepare for the event and I kept an eye on their number one guy while covering the event. He is a really good shooter. Mr. Dusadee Bualert and Mr. Chairman, Anon Hongdalud were pleased and inspired that they even wanted to hold an exhibition match to inspire the whole shooting community in Thailand before stepping it up into invitational matches/competitions.

“I would like to invite the Asia’s top shooters to come to Thailand and let them be inspiration to other shooters.”  Chairman Anun Hongdalud added.  I would like to thank Mr. Dusadee especially when he said that this is not about winning or losing, but bringing us together…  “Asia as one”.

I ran across Anthony Koo aka “Athlon” from team Singapore. Their team came, but only two of them played.  His teammate told me that this event is a breakthrough for Action Air, the first ever Level 3 competition in airsoft practical shooting as an IPSC sanctioned match. “We are proud to be the first Singaporeans to compete in the Level 3 match.” Tham Chee Wah.  They have an organization in Singapore called Airsoft Asia that sanctions airsoft practical shooting. The reason why they have only two competitors was because they were screened. The rule in their Airsoft organization in Singapore is when you are playing on Level 1 and 2, it is fine and they do not have to get a permit nor compete to get a “go” upon winning, but Level 3 is different.

Mr. Joey Ulep of OFAPS (Overseas Filipino Airsoft Practical Shooters) has big plans as well. OFAPS is to promote the Airsoft IPSC-style pistol and rifle shooting among Filipinos. The team is composed of Filipino workers and residents of Hong Kong who always look forward to a time-action shooting besides airsoft skirmishes. Its main objective is to represent the Philippines in international matches and competitions specifically in Hong Kong. OFAPS Hong Kong League is also the official international chapter and representative of Philippine Airsoft Practical Shooting (PAPS) and IAPS-Philippines in Hong Kong. There are a lot of competitions in Hong Kong and it happens every month. “Filipinos gained the respect of Hong Kong shooters. We proved our worth, and to top it all, we gained their respect.” Mr. Ulep added. I would like to thank Mr. Ulep for taking care of us regarding our transportation especially his teammate, Mr. Allen Salonga.

On the following day of the challenge, most teams ran stages 5 and 6. We were done early and headed to the Subic Convention Center for the awarding. We waited for the PNoy Cup (the real steel IPSC shooting competition) to finish theirs. Most of the winners were from the HKASA (Hong Kong Airsoft Shooting Association). We would like to congratulate them all and of course, the other winners who really did well during the challenge. After the awarding ceremony, we headed to the fellowship venue. Shooters enjoyed the rest of the night and Mr. Rivero, the host called them for their speeches and of course we had a good laugh when he asked the shooters to show us some of their talent.

The recently concluded 5.11 Challenge would surely serve as a benchmark for the IPSC and Action Air community not only here, but is other parts of the globe. Most of the participants learned a lot about this competition. They would share it when they go back to their respective countries. Some of them are looking forward to hold Action Air IPSC competitions in the near future and we are looking forward to the plan of THASA to organize another international action air exhibition in Thailand. We are truly “Asia as One” in this.

More photos of the 5.11 Asian Action Air Challenge are posted at Popular Airsoft's Facebook Page.

UPDATE 19 September 2011:

Instead of this being a Level 3 Match sanctioned by the IPSC, it has been downgraded to Level 2 as explained by Vince Pinto, IPSC Secretary:

"Unfortunately, Level III sanction was withdrawn due to admittance of competitors who were not members of their IPSC Region of Residence as required by IPSC rules. This is why the Match Results are not listed on the IPSC website.

This is a terrible shame, especially for Range Officers who expected to get 3 points towards their IROA accreditation and/or maintenance.

Anyway, live and learn. Onwards and upwards."