FirstSpear TV

Archive for December, 2010

Marines Purchase Additional Extreme Cold Weather Gear Using PrimaLoft Insulation

Friday, December 17th, 2010

PrimaLoft® Insulation Technologyâ„¢, the research and development leader in high performance insulations used to enhance combat conditions for soldiers, has announced that the United States Marine Corps (USMC) has purchased 6,000 additional sets of the USMC Extreme Cold Weather Parkas, Trousers and Booties insulated with PrimaLoft® to equip U.S. Marines stationed in the coldest areas of Afghanistan and across the globe. This new buy brings the total number of system sets currently fielded to Marines to 50,000. Known to Marines as the “Happy Suit” the garments are manufactured by Wild Things Tactical.

Developed in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps, PrimaLoft® insulation provides Marines with critical tactical advantages over the enemy during the most challenging extreme cold weather conditions. The Extreme Cold Weather Parka, Trouser and Booties insulated with PrimaLoft® are packable, lightweight, weather resistant, and very warm for extreme combat conditions. Notably, this technology works in conjunction with the USMC sleeping bag system also outfitted with PrimaLoft® insulation and allows Marines to carry a less bulky sleep system, while increasing protection under diverse environmental conditions.

“PrimaLoft® takes great pride in our work to provide the best possible insulation technology to meet U.S. Marine Corps mission readiness needs,” said PrimaLoft® Vice-President and General Manager Joe Rumiesz. “We began working with the DoD 25 years ago, and we continue to advance our unique technology to address the specialized gear needs of our men and women in uniform.”

The U.S. Army originally commissioned Albany International Corp. to develop a water resistant synthetic alternative to down. Today, PrimaLoft® is the premier supplier of insulation to the United States Army, Marine Corps and Special Operations Forces providing them with a tactical advantage over the enemy under exceptionally wet and cold conditions in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

BAE Systems to Manufacture IOTVs and Repair ESAPI Plates

Friday, December 17th, 2010

BAE Systems is racking up the wins. Not only did they announce a $35 million contract from the US Army for 60,000 Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTV), but they also won a contract to inspect and repair Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) plates for the Army which are used in conjunction with the IOTV. Under a Readiness and Sustainment contract modification valued at $6.3 million from PEO-Soldier, BAE Systems will inspect ESAPI plates returning from theater for damage and replacing the outside spall covers, which are used to contain debris upon impact. Upon completion of the scope of work, the plates will be returned to the Army. The contract mod is part of an existing contract issued in October 2008 and will be performed through a series of delivery orders. The work will be completed at facilities located in Phoenix, Arizona with completion scheduled for October 2013.

“BAE Systems is prepared to support the Army and Army National Guard in satisfying short-term needs for the warfighter,” said Keith Briem, manager of Readiness and Sustainment for BAE Systems’ Personnel Protection Systems. “Our Readiness and Sustainment program is designed to help reset equipment for future deployments. This may include refurbishing helmets, soft and hard armor, Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment, other ancillary items and all forms of Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment.”

Deuce Launcher from Sage Ordnance

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Sage Ordnance Systems Group will exhibit versions of their Deuce Launcher at SHOT Show 2011. Obviously, the biggest improvement that the Deuce offers is an over/under design with two rounds at the ready for that quick follow up shot.

The Standard Deuce package includes the launcher with barrel/caliber selection, barrel duo-block with an integral Picatinny Rail section, two barrel mounted Picatinny Rails, cleaning brush and operator’s manual. They will also have the Deuce Revolution on hand. Standard features are the same as Standard Deuce, but Sage has added a forward grip mount, sight rail, MagPul stock, sling and Pelican Case. Also included are their revolutionary new rear sight module, 20/40 sight module and 60/80 sight module. This sight set-up gives the Grenadier the ability to accurately launch munitions at four different distances most often encountered in less-lethal confrontations, without having to re-zero sights. The sight rail will also provide space to mount optics such as Aimpoints or EOTechs.

The Deuce Over/Under Launcher System is available in three caliber variants including 37mm Sage, 40mm x 46 NATO and 37mm smooth bore. Furthermore, the Deuce uses a five position adjustable length of pull-standard M4 style stock. Additionally, a side folding stock is available as an optional extra (either folding to the left or the right).

To sum up the Deuce … Two Shots! One Launcher!

To schedule a demo contact Sage Ordnance.

Free Smartwool Socks to Deploying Troops

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Grey Group Training, Smartwool, and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance have teamed up this holiday season to send three thousand pairs of Smartwool socks to Soldiers in Afghanistan. Initially, Grey Group Training will be seeding the battlepsace by shipping socks to trusted NCOs in theater to hand out to their troops. There will also be a reserve of socks maintained at the Grey Group Training Pro Shop outside of Ft Bragg for Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. These socks will be used to hand out to Soldiers heading to Afghanistan who stop by the Pro Shop. Additionally, if you place an order to an APO from now until all the socks are gone, the will include a pair of Smartwool Hiking Medium Crew socks with your order. Lucky guys. The Smartwool hiker is an excellent sock and I have used them for about 12 years.

Major props to Grey Group Training, Smartwool, and the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
.

Introducing Grey Ghost Gear Outlet

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

We’ve heard rumblings in industry for years that one group or another was going to set up an online outlet for over runs and excess inventory of tactical gear. Finally, someone has made it happen and named it Grey Ghost Outlet. Currently, the store has a bunch of Tactical Tailor kit on deep discount. For example, you can get a 1 piece MAV with pouches set up for either M4 or AK for $88!

And before anyone jumps to any crazy conclusions, we can assure you, that despite the fact that they both use “grey” in their names, name Grey Ghost and Grey Group have nothing to do with one another.

Visit www.greyghostoutlet.com to get in on the savings.

Enjoy Some Revision for the Holidays

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Order a Sawfly U.S. Military Eyewear System before December 25th and receive this cool ball cap. The Sawfly system includes a frame with adjustable arms, clear & smoke lenses, head strap, microfiber pouch, case with belt clip, reusable anti-fog cloth. And don’t forget, the lenses meet mil-spec for ballistic protection. Revision is also offering a generous 30% off all of their products for SSD readers from now until Christmas. Be sure to enter code SolSys at checkout.

www.revisioneyewear.com

Team Fortress 2 Sentry Gun

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

WETA workshop is no stranger to props based on popular videogames, and this level 1 sentry gun from the class-based multiplayer game Team Fortress 2 continues this trend. Featuring a motion sensor and full audio, it now stands guard at Valve’s lobby, tracking every visitor with its deadly (non-functional) cannon. I’ll admit it’s a very cool prop, but it doesn’t satisfy the ultimate Valve-based question: ‘When the hell’s the next Half-Life game coming out?’

-Tactical FanBoy

Corps Strength: The Grip

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

It’s no secret that physical fitness is an important aspect of being a member of the Untied States Armed forces, especially for our front line troops. The ability of our people to perform well physically in tough adverse combat conditions is a large part of mission success. Many hours of training and personal time is devoted to obtaining and maintaining this high level of fitness. However one important area is often overlooked; that being hand-strength. Not just actual gripping power, but in your ability to hold fast. Think of all the important tasks that rely on a strong grip. Carrying heavy gear, fast roping, climbing over obstacles and pulling wounded comrades to safety are just a few examples. Plus there may come a time when your ability to just hold on could save your life. Shit happens when your working off the ground. The bottom line is you need to train to improve your gripping strength and endurance like any other part of your body. In my book Corps Strength I outline several ways to condition your grip with weights. However I think one of the best and easiest ways to keep your hand strength at a high level is by using a portable gripper. There are many types; spring types, bags filled with rice, rubber balls, etc. I have tried all of these at one time or the other. They all work but I think that the “doughnut shaped” grippers made by ProGrip Trainer are the best out there. Portable, simple and durable they can be used to develop not just your overall grip but you can work individual fingers. You can also work your reverse grip by sticking them in the hole and pushing outward. These grippers are lightweight and easy to carry. As they are rubber you can carry them with you on planes with no problem. They come in different strengths and don’t cost squat. I still have the one I carried with me in Iraq. I highly recommend them, Try it.

PJ Rourke
MGySgt
USMC (Ret)