Give it a shot! Paintball club invites new members to join

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  In the dark corners of building 1700, someone is waiting. Waiting to strike. You creep around the interior, watching your back. The suspense is building. Movement catches your eye from the other side of the dimly lit room. Then, pow! Your opponent shoots from behind a stack of tires, covered in paint. The battle is on. The referee signals you to retreat - now brightly colored - to the outside of the arena. 

Forget the video games - its paintball time! 

Malmstrom's indoor paintball arena has been in the works for years. It's finally open again, and now better than ever, Sergeant Moore said. The arena is filled with obstacles, hiding places and even an old helicopter. And of course, everything is splattered with paint. 

"The paintball facility started in '04 as something for the Airman's Council to do," said Master Sgt. Les Moore, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron. "I took over as facility manager and kept it going." 

"To make it better, we expanded and put a club together with the help of volunteers," he said. 

The paintball club is open to anyone with access to the base and costs $20 for the entire year. Some benefits of being a member include member-priced paint and CO2, organized games, no additional field costs, tournament invitation and referee training for those who are interested. 

Also, club members will be able to speak through the club for future improvements to the paintball facilities, including the outdoor facility which is still under construction. Leagues and local area tournaments are being considered as well. 

Club members can set up group and squadron functions at no cost and can have unescorted access to the facility. 

For those who decide not to become members, group and squadron functions cost $20, or the cost of a membership for the organizer. There is also supervised open paintball every Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Participants must bring their own gear and will get a safety briefing before starting to play. Paintball guns are available for rent on base at Outdoor Recreation or Awesome Paintball in Great Falls. CO2 and paint are the only things available for purchase on site. 

"We provide safety guidance and a place to play," Sergeant Moore said. "The rest is up to the participants." 

Any legal paintball guns can be used and must be set at 270 feet per second. Paintballers under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by an adult before playing.
Statistically, paintball has one of the lowest percentages of injury, with fewer documented injuries than even bowling, according to paintballresource.org. 

"This is something I enjoy doing and hope others will get involved as well," Sergeant Moore said. "Come out and give it a shot."