To an airsoft enthusiast, the military simulation event taking place at Merrill Dunes is considered the best of the best.
The dramatic uniforms, equipment and military precision of the players alone is enough to impress; until you see the special effects.
Saskatchewan-born Casey Markus is a special effects pyrotechnician known for his work on Wolf Cop and Corner Gas: The Movie. He’s upping the adrenaline and making this military simulation feel a lot more realistic with explosions, smoke and fire.
“It’s an incredible amount of fun,” Markus said.
“This is meant to get people’s heart rate up, get them smiling and the heart pounding,”
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Over 100 men and women have come from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to participate. Players are split into two armies and have to complete objectives and missions.
Chris McCormick has been playing airsoft for seven years and now commands his own team.
“It’s a lot more tactical than Call of Duty, you need flanking tactics, firing lines and suppression fire,” McCormick explained.
But behind the camouflage, McCormick is just a regular guy.
“Just got into it for fun. I’m actually a marketing professional. Never been in the military, never been in police or anything like that,” said the team commander.
According to the organizer, this is the first event of its kind in the Saskatoon area.