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Archive for August, 2010

M150 Rifle Combat Optic

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Much ado has been made about the lack of lethality of the M16 and M4 at the increased ranges encountered in Afghanistan but you can’t hit what you can’t see. One of the Army’s answers to this quandary is the M150 Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) which is is designed to increase the probability of a first-round hit at distances up to 600 meters.

Adopted in 2007 for use on the M4, M16A2, M16A4, and M249 weapons in addition to increased range, it also allows the use of reflexive fire techniques. When a target is acquired, the ranging reticle can be used to get an accurate range to the target. Then, the range aiming point on the bullet drop compensator can be used to engage the target.

Manufactured by Trijicon, the RCO features a 4 x optic illuminated by fiber optics and tritium. The reticle is of a chevron pattern and is red in color both day and night. Naturally, the issue item also incorporates a laser and anti-reflection filters as well as an integral Mil Spec 1913 attachment.

www.trijicon.com

QuiqLite

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Designed by Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol veteran officer, Brian Quittner, the QuiqLite pocket light allows hands free illumination. Attached to your pocket or equipment, the QuiqLite puts illumination where you need it. The aluminum bodied Stealth model features dual LEDs and options include White, UV, Red, Green, and Blue lights.

Other features include a 10 minute battery saving Auto-Off timer feature, independent L.E.D. activation, 180° rotating light arm, 120° adjustable blacked-out LED bezel with visor, 360° rotating removable QuiqClip, and Safety Strobe. QuiqLite features a lifetime warranty.

www.quiqlite.com

Afghanistan Cuts Off Its Nose to Spite Its Face

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

According to an AP report By HEIDI VOGT filed this morning, Afghanistan’s president issued a decree today giving a four-month deadline for private security companies to register and join the Afghan Police Force or disband.

According to the article:

“It does provide an exception for private security firms working inside of compounds used by international groups, including embassies, businesses and non-governmental organizations.

“They will have to stay inside of the organization’s compound and will have to be registered with the Interior Ministry,” the decree states.

All security outside of these compounds will be provided by Afghan security forces, as will all security for supply convoys for international troops, the decree says.”

This move will result in either the Afghani Police actually becoming an effective force, or more likely, in speeding up the withdrawal timetable of US and NATO forces. There is little chance that commercial businesses who provide security services will allow themselves to effectively be nationalized. This move will also most likely trepidation on the part of those interested in investing in Afghanistan as they concern themselves over security of their investments as well as the threat of further nationalization.

Afghanistan is assuming a serious risk with this move as they have proven unable to secure their own objectives, let alone guard coalition partners. In order to make up the shortfall of over 30,000 security contractors who currently protect convoys and installations, coalition forces will need to substantially increase the number of troops on the ground or develop alternative and more costly logistic strategies. Either alternative will surely cause countries already strapped for cash to question their commitment to Afghanistan’s security.

Ironically, the Karzai regime may become victim to its own decision to take on too much, too soon.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Update

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

We received some photos of the HMG ECHO II shelter in Digital Camouflage. This is the best of the bunch, showing the pattern and features of the shelter. Manufactured from Cuben fibers, HMG products are Berry Compliant.

www.hyperlitemountaingear.com

Gerber’s Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife Big Hit at OR

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Without a doubt the best giveaway at this Summer’s Outdoor Retailer was the Bear Grylls fire starter from Gerber. Additionally, they unveiled the the first of the new Bear Grylls Survival Series; the Ultimate Knife. Available beginning October, the Ultimate Knife features a full tang, partially-serrated, stainless steel blade combined with a textured TacHide handle, pommel strike, and utility saw. Additionally, the Ultimate Knife’s sheath features a number of integrated tools including a sharpening stone, magnesium fire starter, and weatherproof survival guide.

Bear Grylls is the star of the hit TV show, “Man vs Wild”.

www.gerbergear.com and www.beargrylls.com.

GSS Gear Announces New Breed Of Warrior

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Global Supply Solutions, LLC announces its “Show of Pride Celebrating a New Breed of Warrior” to be held September 10-11, 2010 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

New Breed of Warrior will provide access to the latest in operational equipment from industry leading vendors. Attendees from the military and federal, state and local agencies will be able to review the latest equipment and identify “must haves” for operational success, directly with the manufacturers. In addition to presentations on the show floor, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions on a variety of topics ranging from equipment solutions to operational preparedness.

New Breed of Warrior is being held in partnership with the Navy League of Hampton Road’s Show of Pride and News Channel 3 (WGNT CW27). The Show of Pride honors and celebrates the military in Hampton Roads. Open to the public, this event will bring the public and military together to have fun and pay homage to our service members both here and abroad. All area commands in Hampton Roads are invited to participate. The event will feature a career fair for transitioning military and a special military marketplace featuring businesses with special offers and programs specifically for the military.

Emily Whittaker, CEO of GSS Gear says, “This is a unique event. Not only are we able to provide our customers with an educational venue where they can become familiar with the most innovative mission-critical equipment, but we have the opportunity to support the larger military community and their families. This is truly more than just a trade show.”

Highlights of both the New Breed of Warrior and Show of Pride include keynote addresses from prominent, high-ranking military officials. Also joining the show is Hampton Roads native and MMA star Brandon “The Truth” Vera. Vera is a former Air Force wrestler, two- time Pan-American Champion, eight time Grapplers Quest Champion, W.K.A. Muay Thai National Champion and Abu-Dhabi veteran.

So you are asking yourself, what makes this show different? Well, the biggest issue is that this will not be a completely closed event. Unlike most other trade shows, the New Breed of Warrior Expo will have an open day when the public can attend. Additionally, the show runs into the weekend. So, this may be a great reason for you to take a mini vacation to the Hampton Roads area.

www.newbreedofwarrior.com

gssgear.com

Foreign Weapons Training

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Blackheart International is well known for their foreign weapons manuals, but their sister company Mid-Atlantic Training Resources, LLC also offers a comprehensive curriculum of basic and advanced foreign weapons training.

General Foreign Weapons Familiarization – based around the most prolific firearms encountered in the various theaters of conflict. This includes but is not limited to PKM machine guns, AK variants of all flavors, common pistols encountered, scoped rifles and submachine guns.

Additionally, M-ATR offers Weapon Specific Courses
PKM marksmanship and gun team drills
AK Rifle marksmanship and general usage
Scoped Rifle marksmanship and general usage (SVD and FRK/PSL)
Pistol marksmanship and general usage
They also are preparing to offer a DShKM course

Finally, they also have Train-the-Trainer Courses for all of these weapons.

For additional information as well as a complete list of the choices of firearms please visit www.ma-tr.com.

Be sure to stop by booth #821 at this week’s TREXPO East at the Dulles Expo and Convention Center in Chantilly, VA to see all of BHI’s offerings.

Agilite Tactical Gear Goes International

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Agilite, an Israeli-American producer of tactical gear, has launched their new website and formally entered the international. Sales of their products began in Israel in early 2010 and many Israel Defense Forces troopers have already proven Agilite vests in real-world conflict scenarios. Now those same vests are available in American camouflage patterns, including MultiCam pattern from Crye Precision which was recently adopted as the US Army’s OEF Camouflage Pattern.

“The last few years combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan has bred an unprecedented need for tactical gear designed specifically for Middle Eastern combat. Having decades of experience in counter-terrorism ops and tactical design teams inside each of its elite units, Israel has become a world leader in tactical gear design,” says Agilite Founder Elie Isaacson, a former IDF Paratrooper and English-language spokesman for the Israeli Army.

Prior to Agilite’s launch, however, such Israeli-designed vests had never been adapted for a global market nor produced in American patterns. “It’s a great feeling to be able to offer our products internationally. Seeing Israeli vests in US Camo patterns sums up what we are all about” says Steve Hoodjer, Agilite’s co-founder and a former sergeant in the US Army National Guard with two Middle Eastern deployments to his credit. The two founders met in 2005 at Israel’s prestigious Institute for Counter-Terrorism.

Agilite’s product range includes their signature product, The Tactical Hi-Vest, an all-in-one tactical load bearing system that incorporates a detachable modular assault pack. The modular assault pack eliminates the need for soldiers to procure an extra assault pack or butt pack for mission essential items, yet allows for removal when operating from a vehicle or when carrying a rucksack on longer missions. The Tactical Hi-Vest fits “high and tight” on the body allowing for a more comfortable weight distribution than standard issue vests. All products are made in Israel from a combination of American and Israeli materials.

www.AgiliteGear.com