Here, I would like to offer a precise in depth introduction into the world of the Airsoft S.W.A.T. Team Cologne (A.S.T.C.) from germany.
The A.S.T.C. is, since it's foundation, strongly focused on re-enacting LAPD S.W.A.T. forces. Being inspired by fascinating movies and highly accurate articles of well renomated weapon magazines, the team lays down a tremendus effort to accurately target the law enforcement theme. I as the founder, and each of my team members have agreed, during the evolution of the A.S.T.C. throughout the years, to set the timeline borders of our re-enactment within the 90's all the way up to the present. As mentioned earlyer, our all time reverence being the LAPD S.W.A.T. forces themeselves. In addition, we re-enact meanwhile also law enforcement units like NYPD ESU and US Marshal Service.
To begin with, I'd like to clearify a definition of the re-enactment subject.
Re-enacting is mainly understood as reviving historical events, focusing on achieving the possibily hightest grade of detail compared to the orginal. Re-enactment reaches from anccient epochs all the way up to the present.
With this been said, Airsoft however pushes the boundaries of classic re-enactment to the point, where the various possibilities of representation lead to the fact that the actual timeline of re-enactment becomes secondary. Airsoft re-enactors moreover consider themselves as actors with fictitious or real combat gear. In this case, the main focus lays on representing past or current Units. This is what we call hobby-like re-enactment. Whilst in a scenario, we try to dive into the realism that we've re-created and try to hand down this experience to the people around us.
In this manner, re-enactment is more to be seen and defined as "acting" itself, then a demonstration of historical events. It is not only about "telling" a story but also about getting the "experience" out of it, be it real or superficial. We are also aware, that this behavior might be understood or seen as some form of posing.
Today, the big part of the real S.W.A.T. unit gear can be shown off with excellent replicas, however, we have to admit that there are still some parts in use, that are either extremely expensive, extremely rare or simply way too time consuming. Also, being a medium sized team, we encounter that it is also very difficult to come up with exactly the same gear requirements for each member.
Re-enactment projects are also accompanied by the need of a tremendous budget. The A.S.T.C. rounds up the needed enthusiasts that are ready to take these costs into account to realize this project. Speaking of it, this probably also is the reason for our age quota being above 30 years, with a few exceptions. Nevertheless, this might be the reason for our authentic representation and credibility.
Due to this, we continuously receive request from professional photo and movie industries, highly appreciating our equipment and knowledge.
Meanwhile our pictures can be found almost everywhere on T-shirts, posters, web-sites and on title covers of known airsoft magazines worldwide.
You'll find them on
MilPictures.com and
Action-Poster.com!
Many projects still line up in the future and hopefully, we will be able to let other people have a look into the exciting world of Special Wepons And Tactics.