One of the people working at ATE (who organise the use of MoD training facilities by civilians) has asked me to post an appeal online here from them. He works indirectly for the MoD and has recently had to deal with a complaint about the use of MoD facilities by Airsoft users.
There is now a very real risk that the UK FIBUA areas will be unavailable for future Airsoft use because of recent abuse by one organisation:
I work indirectly for the MoD, and have just had to field a complaint
about the use of MoD facilities by Airsoft users who booked in for another
purpose, and then departed leaving the place littered with non-biodegradable
BB pellets. These pellets have both environmental impact (we are constantly monitored
by an Environmental Support Team, who can close us down for military
activities if we do not meet their standards) and H&S issues (if a running
soldier slips on a number of pellets left lying on a hard concrete area
there will be hell to pay).This group has messed it up for all other possible users – it is unlikely
I will get any co-operation from military staff next time someone wants to
use our facilities. Two things to bear in mind: be honest about your intentions if attemptingto book MoD facilities, and use biodegradable BB pellets (and clear them up
as well post exercise).If there is no such thing as a truly biodegradable pellet the you really
are in [trouble] – as even us non Airsoft afficiandos can use the internet to
research our potential problem areas (even if we can’t type and spell.) (Name supplied)
Obviously it will be a shame should the military facilities be unavailable for use by Airsofting organisations for training purposes. Any group that abuses the priveledge to use MoD facilities puts their use at risk for everyone else. Names and specifics have been left out of this publication for obvious reasons.
