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Archive for 2011

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Pointe du Hoc Foundation

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

For those of you unfamiliar with the term “Pointe du Hoc,” please open your history books to the chapter on D-Day. On the 6th of June, 1944, Soldiers from the 2d Ranger Battalion were given the harrowing mission of scaling a 100 foot cliff face along the beaches of Normandy to knock out a gun emplacement threatening the invasion force. Naturally, they were successful, but that doesn’t mean that they didn’t lose some good men along the way. And, over the years, as the 2d Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment was stood up, more Americans served, and unfortunately paid the ultimate sacrifice.

That is why, in summer of 2012, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, home of 2/75, will break ground for the Pointe du Hoc Memorial to honor the sacrifice of those who have served in the Battalion. Making this happen is the The Pointe du Hoc Foundation (PDH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to recognize and commemorate the heritage and contributions of the men of 2d Ranger Battalion and their families. They need your help to raise $500,000 for groundbreaking of this 2d Battalion Ranger Memorial by summer 2012.

For more information visit www.pointeduhocfoundation.com.

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Posted in Morale | 5 Comments »

PEO Soldier Takes It Down Range

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

My first interaction with PEO Soldier BG Nichols was at a recent media roundtable. I can tell you that she knows her stuff and I get the feeling she is a hands on kind of a leader. These photos, taken during a recent visit to Afghanistan of her and CSM McPherson only solidify this position. They were on a fact finding trip, soliciting feedback from the field on how the equipment they provide to our Soldiers is holding up under some of the most rugged conditions on earth.

Photos: US Army

peosoldier.army.mil

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Posted in PEO-Soldier | 11 Comments »

BHI – Non-Standard Weapons Training

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Blackheart International Training has been providing foreign weapons training under the Mid-Atlantic Training Resources banner for many years. In addition to transitioning to the new name, they’ve also adopted a new mindset and one that makes sense.

The new 5-day Non-Standard Weapons Course combines classroom sessions with live range training. Students will be able to identify, disassemble, assemble, maintain, load/fire/reduce stoppages and safely handle various non-standard weapons, mainly orginiating from Soviet bloc countries. In addition to covering a variety of subjects such as operations and maintenance in both the theoretical and practical, students are evaluated on previous lessons to develop a building block approach to learning. Course instructors are experienced US Army Special Forces veterans with extensive knowledge of these weapons.

We use BHI’s excellent foreign weapon guides for reference material here at SSD and each student will receive the entire Non-Standard Weapon Manual Set (Soviet Bloc) in a three-ring binder as well as broken shell extractors for 7.62 x 39 and 7.62 x 54 mm and an AK sight adjustment tool. Additionally, students are lodged in their Sugar Creek Lodge facility. Naturally tuition also covers weapons use and ammunition for the course.

Check out this brochure to learn more about the training including a full listing of weapons trained and a course schedule.

BHI 2011 Non-Standard Weapons Course

www.BHItraining.com

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Posted in Foreign, Training, weapons | Comments Off on BHI – Non-Standard Weapons Training

Massif Non-FR Line Fully Available

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Massif is well known as a provider of FR clothing solutions to military personnel, LE, and wildland firefighters. However, you don’t always require FR protection, depending on the mission. Massif realized this and has developed a dedicated non-FR line. In addition to the Integrated Tactical Jacket we premiered here on SSD back in May, Massif has introduced two additional pieces that we mentioned during our NBOW coverage in September. Here’s a quick rundown to remind you about each of the pieces.

I’ve worn the Integrated Tactical Jacket quite a bit. It’s a very functional, lightweight piece that’s designed to compliment armor in much the same way as a combat shirt. The difference is obviously the softshell fabric which will serve you well in inclement weather but the ITJ also has an interesting pocket setup. In addition to traditional inset bicep pockets it has two mesh lined pockets on the upper chest. Accessible through the arm holes of an armor vest, they can be opened to aid in ventilation. Die cut, Velcro adjustable cuff tabs set this one off. Available in Black and OD. Size Small – XXLarge.

Next, is the Diamond Peak Field Pant. It definitely has a home in that new class of non-tactical, tactical pants. The Diamond Peak is something more than an outdoor pant but not quite a full cargo pant. It’s sleek looks integrate an interesting pocket arrangement we discussed in our NBOW coverage. Made from a stretch-woven nylon canvas fabric, they will move with you. Currently only available in Black, I am told we will see additional colors soon. Sized 30 – 42 in Regular and Long lengths.

Finally, is the Lightweight Tactical Shirt. This shirt is made for hot climates and incorporates a heavier fabric on the arms and shoulders that features a DWR finish to shed light rain. Available in OD and a two-tone Black and Gray, the Lightweight Tactical Shirt comes in sizes Small – XXLarge.

Available for order now from www.Massif.com as well as their various retailers. Look for more Non-FR clothing at SHOT Show.

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Posted in Clothing | 1 Comment »

MiliPol – TR Equipement

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

French company TR Equipement was at MiliPol in a big way. Let’s take a tour of their stand.

www.tr-equipement.com

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Posted in Foreign | 1 Comment »

Beyond Clothing’s Roughrider Pant Is Backpacker Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Snow For Pants

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Backpacker magazine selected Beyond Clothing’s RoughRider Pant under the Editor’s Choice Snow Category for custom fit pants. Editor-in-chief Jonathan Dorn boasts a 36″ inseam and liked the Schoeller Dynamic fabric’s ability to cut the wind. Specifically, he said that with a layer underneath, he stayed warm below zero in 20 mile-per-hour wind conditions. We haven’t seen the article mentioned in the online edition yet, but it is featured prominently on page 79 of the current issue.

Originally designed for military use, the new RoughRider Pant is now available in Nextec’s silicone encapsulated Glacier fabric used for PCU Level 5 and comes in a MultiCam print.
The RoughRider Pant features:
-Open or Zippered hand pockets
-Angled Thigh Cargo Pockets
-Front Thigh Pockets
-Left Ankle Pocket
-Gusseted Ankle
-Expansion for ski boots
-Reduction for bare ankle
-Velcro and snaps for ice and snow precaution
-Knee Pad pocket with back of leg tightening
-Choice of D3O pad or Crye pad configuration
-Inner Thigh vent zipper with mesh inner
-Zippered fly with Velcro waist band
-Shaped waist band

You can also now get the Glacier Shock Jacket in MultiCam. Similar in design to the PCU level 5 jacket it incorporates Raglan sleeves a stand up collar and generous chest pockets.

post.beyondclothing.com

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Posted in Clothing, Multicam, Off-Duty, Outdooralamode | 1 Comment »

PPE Purchases Paraclete

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Protective Products Enterprises, Inc. (PPE) has completed the purchase of Paraclete from Mine Safety Appliances (MSA). MSA purchased the company from Tim D’Anunzio in 2006. D’Anunzio himself has recently come back to the industry, launching XPX Armor & Equipment last month.

“This sale of our ballistic vest business is something we have seriously considered for some time,” said Joseph A. Bigler, President of MSA North America in a press release. “The decision to move in this direction came down to two factors: alignment with MSA’s long-term business strategy to focus on those products that provide us with the greatest growth opportunities; and pursuing a course of action that we believe provides Paraclete Armor with the best opportunity for future success.”

It is important to note that the sale does not include MSA’s lucrative helmet business purchased from CGF Gallet in 2001.

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Posted in Armor, Industry | Comments Off on PPE Purchases Paraclete

USAF SF Updates DF-LCS

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

We’ve written about the Defensor Fortis Load Carrying System (DF-LCS) in the past. Love it or hate it, it was designed specifically for USAF Security Forces (AF SF). But, like other equipment, it has evolved to better suit the needs of the careerfield.

Beginning in late November, AF SF will begin receiving an improved version of their gear harness commonly referred to as (HGEAR) as part of the 5-Year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Garrett Container Systems (GCS).

Over a year ago, the AF Security Forces Center (AFSFC), surveyed the careerfield for suggested improvements to DF-LCS. The majority of the recommendations from users included: a better fit to size, improved padding, and web management.

The latest version, dubbed GEN 3 will incorporate those major recommendations. For example, padding was added to the shoulder area and the neck yoke was altered to improve wear comfort. Remember, this is the same system being worn by our Defenders both deployed as well as at home station. When working the gate, AF SF rarely wear heavy armor, rather relying on concealable, soft armor. Consequently, the harness can chafe the neck. Additionally, Velcro straps and additional management buckles were added to the design to help police loose straps. They also changed the front height adjuster to allow the user to pull down to adjust rather than pull up. It’s a more natural movement and mimics strap adjustments on packs.

Finally, each harness in the rifleman kit will now include a tear/water resistant guide on adjustment, wear and care of the DF-LCS as well as an instructions on how to use PALS. Odd as it seems in this day and age, there are some folks that don’t know how to weave. But, better safe than sorry.

For those not allowed to buy from AFSFC’s IDIQ (and that’s a lot of folks), the GEN3 in both Air Force Digital Tigerstripe as well as Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP) or, more popularly known as MultiCam, will soon be available at www.GCSwarrior.com or through one of their sales reps.

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Posted in Air Force, Load Carrying, Multicam | 42 Comments »

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