Army Material Command is conducting a one year test of a solid tan uniform based on the ACU for deployed civilian personnel. The ensemble will include a tan version of the Gen II ECWCS parka and helmet cover.
Read the entire article at the Belvoir Eagle.
Photo Courtesy of AMC.
RV Ops is a UK specialist military outfitter. They offer a wide variety of manufacturer’s wares in addition to excellent products of their own design. One such product is their telescoping bivy poles. No more looking for just the right branch to prop up your hootch. Just pull these bad boys out, telescope to the desired length and it’s nap time.
Purchase them from RVOPS.
We’ve all used boxes and boxes of chemlights. While they remain one of the handiest marking devices we have, think about how many times you have used them didn’t require a disposable item. Then consider how much money could have been used on something else if you would have had a reusable alternative. Now imagine such a device could be switched on and off unlike chemlights which, once you activate them are on until they lose their potency. Such devices exist and Cejay Engineering offers two such alternatives; the Mk8 Glo-Wand and SERE Sticks.
The average chemlight is effective for about 12 hours. Additionally, due to shelf life and storage issues, experience has shown that up to 20% of chemlights may be bad right out of the wrapper. Mk8 Glo-Wands work as long as they have batteries and battery life is about 70 hours from three A76 alkaline batteries. Once again, while it may not be at the forefront of everyone’s thought process, both the Glo-Wand and SERE Sticks can be turned off when not in use not only saving valuable dollars but ultimately the environment.
Mk8 Glo-Wands not only come in a variety of colors, they also are available with double light ends. A single Glo-Wand can have two different colors, for example red and IR. This greatly enhances the versatility of the device for such tasks as marshaling, signaling, and route marking. They are available in Green, Amber, Red, Blue, White, and IR.
Additionally, the two-color Glo-Wands come in combinations of Amber, Blue, Green, Red, White and IR. Glo-Wands come in 6″ and 12″ lengths but Cejay Engineering will also produce custom sizes for orders in excess of 1,000 units.
SERE Sticks adapt the technology of the Glo-Wand and adds a shield to the wand allowing the light signal to be directed or masked for map reading or as a tactical illuminator. SERE Sticks come in 70mm (2″) and 140mm (4″) inch lengths in the following colors: Amber, Blue, Green, Red, White and IR. SWIR frequencies are also available on request. Additionally, both the SERE 70 and SERE 140 come with a 30†attachment lanyard.
One excellent signaling technique is to attach an IR Glo-Wand or SERE Stick to a neck-cord and swing it in a circle high-speed like a buzzsaw for.
For more information visit Cejay Engineering.
All photos courtesy of Cejay Engineering.
Note: Export Notification: Infrared Variants of the described products are regulated by the U.S. State Department in accordance with the guidelines of the International Traffic in Arms Regulation [ITAR] per title 22 code of federal regulations parts 120 – 130. Some Cejay products are available only to military and Law Enforcement personnel.
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We previously wrote about Lowa Boots at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. What we didn’t talk about was a meeting the Editor sat in on with Lowa USA, discussing the development of the first US market Task Force boots. Previously, all Task Force boots have been designed for the European market and eventually brought here to the US. Based on the highly successful AL-X line, these three new tactical boots will be lightweight yet provide excellent ankle support. Also, both of the mid-height boots feature closed eyelets.
Please remember that these are all prototypes and the styles may change before they reach market. They are tentatively slated for release in Spring 09.
Below is the Desert Mid variant. It is not lined with Gore-tex.
This version is a Black Gore-tex lined boot intended for Law Enforcement.
The low top version below will probably not be lined with Gore-tex in order to keep the price point down and because a boot is really better suited to sustained wet weather. It is intended for tactical training such as hand to hand or range time as well as for light duties such as bike patrol.
The new Lowa boots will be available from AFMO.
The Aevex® website describes the technology like this, “Aevex® is the seamless consolidation of complicated functions into a single textile panel that is sewn into apparel like an extra layer of fabric. These panels are light, ultra-thin, and flexible. Each contains heating materials, electronics, and a fully integrated, flexible and rechargeable energy source.”
The concept is called Intelligent Heat™ and utilizes a proprietary polymer in the sandwich of materials to sense temperatures across the entire grid and heat the areas that need it. As your hands warm up to body temp, they stop wicking heat away from the polymer and heat production within Aevex® goes down.
So far both Mountain Hardwear and Outdoor Research have integrated the technology into gloves but Aevex® intends to integrate the technology into jackets and footwear by next year.
At $300 for Mountain Hardwear’s Red Savina Glove and an MSRP of $259 for Outdoor Research’s PrimoVolta, the technology isn’t cheap. Additionally, after four to six hours of use you have to plug the gloves in to a wall outlet to get a recharge so it probably isn’t quite ready for the troops, at least yet. I do however, see an immediate possibility for this technology for Helo crews if it can be integrated into an FR shell since they have access to onboard power.
Mountain Hardwear Red Savina Glove
Outdoor Research PrimoVolta Gloves
For more information contact Aevex®.
Images from Aevex®.
The Army G1 just released this message that finally validates Army SOF’s practice of wearing BDUs in tropical regions due to UCP’s poor performance in that environment.
SUBJECT: EXCEPTION TO POLICY FOR WEAR OF THE ENHANCED HOT WEATHER BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM (EHWBDU), AVIATION BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM (ABDU), AVIATION FLIGHT SUIT, AND ACCESSORY ITEMS
1. THIS MESSAGE SERVES AS AUTHORIZATION FOR WEAR OF THE EHWBDU, ABDU, AND ACCESSORY ITEMS AFTER THE MANDATORY WEAR OUT DATES FOR SOLDIERS ASSIGNED TO UNITED STATES ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (USASOC) CONDUCTING OPERATIONAL TRAINING AND CONTINGECY MISSIONS IN THE FOLLOWING OCONUS THEATERS:
A. PACIFIC COMMAND
B. SOUTH COMMAND
C. AFRICA COMMAND
2. THE FOLLOWING WOODLAND ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING AND INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT (OCIE) ITEMS WILL BE MAINTAINED AS ISSUE IN THE ARMY SUPPLY SYSTEM:
UNIFORM ITEMS
BOI
A. EHWBDUs (COAT AND TROUSERS) 4
B. ABDUs (COAT AND TROUSERS) 4
C. GEN I GORTEX (COAT AND TROUSERS) 1
D. BDU, SUN HAT 1
E. BROWN T-SHIRTS 4
F. PATROL CAP 1
G. AVIATION FLIGHT SUIT 2
H. ARMY COMBAT HELMET COVER 1
I. BLACK BOOTS (HOT WEATHER, SPEED LACE) 2
3. POC FOR UNIFORM POLICY IS XXX.
4. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DCS, G-1.
5. EXPIRATION DATE CANNOT BE DETERMINED.
EOTAC is dipping their toe in the camo pond. They are releasing a French Lizard camo variant of the Men’s Operator Grade Field Jacket based on the French issued Algerian combat jacket. While not a 100% accurate reproduction of the jacket made famous by the French Foreign Legion, the new offering available in time for SHOT, provides an authentic look and feel. Great pains were taken to accurately reproduce both the pattern and material. While the swatch below is printed on ripstop material the final garment will be of HBT, just like the original. The Field Jacket is currently available in sizes Small – 3XL and Black, Coyote Brown, OD Green colors. Word also has it that more camo patterns are on the way.
For more information on the Field Jacket check out EOTAC’s website.
