Editor's Note: Recently, Black Ops Paintball faced an electrical fire. The company is still operating. The cover story of the April 1 edition makes no mention of the recent fire as it occurred after the issue was assembled.

Black Ops Paintball and Airsoft in Fayetteville, N.C., has experienced national growth since Nathaniel Gienger opened its shop and fields in 2012.
“(Gienger) originally had the property as a car shop with a friend and also had some plans to do some real estate development,” said Eric Harris, marketing director of Black Ops. “The real estate was opposed by the county and he had to figure out a second plan.”
While brainstorming ideas of what to do with the premises, Gienger’s friend’s son brought up playing paintball in a conversation – a concept that brought back childhood memories of playing in the woods of Gienger’s family farm in Oregon. 

He then set up a small netted field in his Fayetteville property and transformed the car shop portion of the property into a staging room, which doubles as a party room.
Ten years ago, the field was only a 10-acre park with a speedball field and a small woods-ball field. Today, just the local outdoor vicinity alone has expanded to 300 acres. Additionally, they have since also opened a pro-shop and 13.5-acre park in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and a pro-shop in Lacey, Wash.
The manpower behind Black Ops is staffed by mostly combat veterans, according to John Maninga, general manager. Apart from enjoying seeing familiar patrons return to the store, the camaraderie culture amongst Maninga's cohorts are one of his favorite parts of his job. 

“We bounce ideas off of each other and we are honest about it,” Maninga said.
He became a part of the Black Ops team in October 2021 while slowly transitioning from a life in the military to the civilian world. However, it was his children who first led Maninga to Black Ops because they went there several times to play at the park.
As time went on, Maninga found himself getting more involved with Black Ops and was given more responsibilities as his military chapter tapered to the end.
“It was a good segue from the military to civilian culture,” he said. “You're not doing it alone. You're doing it with other [veterans] who are kinda doing the same thing.”
Much like the Black Ops crew, the military, too, makes up a fraction of the patrons who frequent the park.
“Some of the military units have purchased airsoft guns so they can come out and do realistic training without having to spend a bunch of
money on bullets,” Maninga said. “That's between close-quarters combat and woods training.”

According to Harris, the park is a great place for veterans to play – especially those dealing with some post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Paintball and airsoft are shown to decrease anxiety and improve communication,” he said.
However, veterans are not the only ones utilizing the premise for practice or leisure. Local organizations, companies and businesses host fundraisers and team building events at Black Ops to incorporate cooperation within their unit. The types of player’s skill level in the park range from novice to expert — and they’re all welcomed.
“The people that come to Black Ops to play are very open players when it comes to demeanor,” Maninga said. “It's not one of those stuck up places, for lack of a better word.”

Patrons can expect to feel included, he added. They’re encouraged to try each other's paintball or airsoft gear and ideas are always exchanged; this supportive culture permeates the Black Ops community regardless of
background.
“The best part about paintball is that every walk of life can do it,” Maninga said. “You don't have to be super fast, you don't have to be super slow. You can take the game at your own pace. It doesn't matter. Everybody's pretty much on a leveled playing field except for experience (players)."

Harris said it is precisely this inclusivity that sets Black Ops apart from other paintball parks.
“Black Ops is a field that is out to provide the next level of the customer service and experience of a paintball facility,” he said. “The goal is to get kids and adults off the couch and off the phone to get outside and play.”
Currently, Black Ops parks offer amenities such as camping, concessions, and air conditioned flushable toilets — which are a big deal, according to Harris.

“We have one of the biggest proshops with gear from all over the industry,” he said. “We also provide something for people of all ages from four to 100; we have something for you.”
To participate, Black Ops patrons can experience paintball or airsoft in various ways: as an individual walk-on player, as a group of at least 20 people, or by booking one of three different packages for 12 players.
Additionally, food and party add ons may be included to any of the groups packages for an additional fee.

According to the company's website blackopspaintball.org, there are three levels of membership for both paintball and airsoft enthusiasts who wish to participate often: bronze, silver and gold. All levels of memberships are valid at all Black Ops locations across the country.
Looking to the future, there are several new projects on the horizon for Black Ops. The branch in Myrtle Beach recently acquired new land and will expand from a 13.5-acre park to 180 acres.
Currently, there are no set dates as to when these new parks will be open
for play.
Additionally, land has recently been purchased in Lacey, so that branch can start a field in conjunction with the pro shop that’s already in business in the Pacific Northwest.
“It takes a while to set up some fields,” Maninga said. “They have to clear land and then put up nets; do layouts. There is a lot that goes into getting a field started.” 

Apart from expansion, Black Ops is committed to giving back to the community. They are active in several nonprofits in the Cumberland County area, such as Valor Village Shelby, Toys for Tots and especially Aid. Improve. Motivate. (A.I.M.) Athletics Foundation. 

A.I.M. is a 501(c)(3) organization and special interest service organization offering free outdoor paintball and airsoft team building programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the U.S. military, the underprivileged, and those suffering from injury and disease — such as cancer and cerebral palsy. The organization’s goal is to improve quality of life, aid in community spirit and provide mentally and physically stimulating exercise to those often excluded from such activity, according to the foundation’s website aimathletics.org.
Upcoming events hosted by Black Ops are Cape Fear Rebellion IV in May and I Am Legend in September.
The fourth installment of the Cape Fear Rebellion series is a three-day event beginning with a night game on Friday, May 13. During this event, participants may camp on site for free. Registration is $70 until 48 hours before the event. Subsequently, registration is $90.
I Am Legend is a two-day running event of humans versus zombies
beginning Sept. 10. 

For more information on Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft Fayetteville, visit their website blackopspaintball.org or call 910-876-4444.