Based on the discontinued Yari II, the Combat Fixed Blade is an all around field knife. It features a 4.25″ 154CM High Carbon
Steel Tanto Blade with a serrated section. The Full Tang construction ends in a blunt pommel with a Rubberized Handle for sure grip. It comes with a molded plastic sheath that can be worn on the belt or MOLLE gear.
Made in USA! www.Gerbergear.com
I first met Leonard Whistler in 1990 when I was assigned to the Activation Cell for 2nd Bn, 3rd SFG(A). He was a 96B All Source Analyst in the Group Military Intelligence Detachment and I was assigned to a SOT-A in 2nd Bn’s MID once we got enough guys on board. He was a very personable guy and really into the job. He deployed to Operation Desert Storm with the Group Headquarters and 1st Bn while those of us in the still forming 2nd Bn stayed at Bragg. When he came back we heard loads of stories of the goat rope that ensued including how the Group Staff “retook” the American Embassy in Kuwait. Literally, retook, as it had already been cleared when they fast roped unto the roof.
Len had always been into the history side of SF and was well known in the community for producing small runs of custom team and morale patches when it was still a passion and not a business. After he left the Army he worked a couple of contracts overseas and I’d bump into him here and there with both of us gravitating back to Bragg. Me in the Air Force and him working as a civilian contractor in various portions of the SFQC and later as a government civilian at the SF Museum. That was his passion and I think we got a lot of bang for our buck out of him working there. He was a regular fixture at the Green Beret Parachute Club and many readers will know him from there or from the SF Association.
Yesterday, I found out my old friend had succumbed on 1 October to throat cancer at age 59. It was a sad day. Lots of us will miss him.
Rest In Peace My Friend
The MP600ST (Sight Tool) seems as if the e-FECT (Field Expedient Cleaning Tool) had a baby with an MP600 multi-tool.
It features one-handed opening with slightly enlarged tool locks which keep your tools from closing on your hand. The MP600ST is manufactured from Stainless Steel with Black Oxide Finish and comes with a PALS compatible Tan 499 Sheath.
The biggest additions to the new design are the M4/M16 Front Sight Post Adjustment Tool, Carbon Scraper, and the Long Reach Philips Screwdriver to get at those hard to reach crosstip heads. Additionally, it also features:
• Needlenose Pliers with Crimper Jaws and Carbide Wire Cutters
• Serrated / Fine Edge Knife
• Lanyard Ring
• Can Opener / Bottle Opener
Made in USA! www.gerbergear.com
The Ground Panoramic Night Vision Goggle 18 from L3 Warrior Systems‘ Insight Technology division are a modification of the Panoramic goggles originally developed to provide Aviators with a wider field of view. Legacy night vision binocular systems with their 18mm tubes offer a 45 deg FOV while the Panoramic model’s four smaller tubes (16mm) increase that out to 95 deg.
Above you can see the GPNVG18 in Blue Force Gear’s AUSA booth. It is mounted on a Crye Precision AirFrame Helmet with an Adams Industries ANVIS mount.
Click on these photos to enlarge them.
If you’re wondering, yes the GPNVG18 uses a separate battery pack. Remember, it was originally designed for Aviation use so it’s much like ANVIS technology.
Here is the complete kit all snuggled in a nice, padded storage case with removable hard case for the goggle.
There aren’t a lot of these systems out there yet, but they are there. Hopefully, we’ll see more. However, the Aviation folks are already looking at new helmet technology that eliminates night vision goggles altogether but rather puts a panoramic screen in front of the eyes of the Aviator and projects data normally found on a Heads Up Display as well as images taken from night vision cameras on the side of the helmet as well as other locations.
JTRS isn’t cancelled. JTRS is like a Hydra with tentacles into each of the services. Think of it as “Too Big to Fail.” Despite press reporting to the contrary, it just isn’t so.
“Army Kills JTRS, Goes ‘Platform Agnostic’ With Network Plan” AOL Defense
“Boeing Army Radio Program Said to Face Termination for Cost” Bloomberg Business Week
For one thing, the Joint Tactical Radio System is actually several radios, and at least one of those, the Rifleman’s Radio, works.
So, cut the authors of those stories a little slack. I too have meant one thing but said it in a way that could be construed entirely differently. Recently, I said that Nett Warrior was cancelled. This was partially true. The Army isn’t going to buy that beast that we had. Instead, they’re restructuring the program to make it more relevant. So, the Army cancelled that solicitation but they didn’t kill the program. Killing a program is actually much easier said than done due to the hoops that you have to jump through to get a program approved and funded. Never fear, the same thing will happen with JTRS. Some of the segments will be restructured allowing industry to apply Moore’s Law and deliver more at a lower cost.
And, this isn’t the first time the press has said that JTRS is cancelled. That thing is like a cockroach. It will survive us all.
If you’re using a smartphone, be sure to check the new Arc’teryx website optimized for your viewing pleasure. They say it’s great for iPad as well. Of course, LEAF had to be different. Theirs is l.arcteryx.com.
Designed in conjunction with Army Special Forces veterans, the new De Facto is a dagger design that favors fighting over camp chores. Intended to quickly get you out of a grapple and give you some breathing room so you can engage the enemy with your side arm, the De Facto features a four-inch spear-point blade of S30V, serrations on both edges of the blade, a Tan 499 rubberized grip and spiked pommel. The De Facto is retained in the PALS-compatible sheath via friction but there is also a back up lock to secure further the knife during infils, etc. Look for it next Spring.
Designed for use as close combat boots, the new Melee series of footwear offers several styles, including full boot (8″), ankle height (6″) and low cut (3″). In addition to the traditional Black and Tan there is also a new Brown color called Canteen intended to serve as civyflauge.
Look for these by December.
