Archive for February, 2012
Troy Industries 2012 Catalog
Friday, February 24th, 2012All Charges Dropped Against ‘SHOT Show 22’
Friday, February 24th, 2012If you attended SHOT Show 2010 in Las Vegas then you may remember the circus-like atmosphere the first morning when Federal agents. In total, 22 were arrested from a variety of companies for conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, violating the FCPA and conspiring to launder money, based on dealings with an informant and an undercover FBI agent posing as the Minister of Defense of Gabon (bet the real Minister of Defense of Gabon appreciated that). Since that time, there have been mistrials and acquittals and dropped charges.
One of the Government’s biggest shortcomings in this case was itself. In the first trial defense attorneys picked apart text messages between informant Richard Bistrong and his FBI handlers. Check some of the exchanges out.
Unfortunately for three of the defendants, they plead guilty before the first trial and await sentencing.
At least the Justice Department finally did the right thing and dropped all of the charges rather than carrying on this charade. Read the whole sordid tale at www.fedseclaw.com.
Propper Announces Partnership With Sheep Dog Impact Assistance
Friday, February 24th, 2012Propper International will donate a portion of proceeds from its Summer 2012 apparel collection to support the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) organization.
Founded in 2009 by 1st Sgt Lance Nutt (USMC), Sheep Dog Impact Assistance works to serve the needs of the men and women serving in our military, law enforcement, fire & rescue and EMS services – a community of people they call “Sheep Dogs.†In addition to its financial support, Propper will work to increase awareness of SDIA, specifically its direct assistance programs, disaster response teams and survival preparedness education.
“PROPPER feels fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve through this new partnership,†said Bryan Griggs, President of PROPPER INTERNATIONAL SALES. “We have seen the amazing impact they [SDIA] have had on the communities they assisted with disaster relief or local families of service men and women. We hope that others in the industry will join us in our mission to support SDIA.â€
“For our organization, ‘helping others is a way of life,’ and with PROPPER’s support, our ability to help others will greatly improve,†said 1stSgt Nutt, Founder and President of SDIA. “What makes this partnership so perfect is that we are both working towards a mission serving the needs of our nation’s military and public safety personnel.â€
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance operates through independent, local chapters across the country. Complete information on the organization can be found at www.sheepdogia.org.
Arc’teryx Drac Jacket Video from TD
Friday, February 24th, 2012I really like the new Arc’teryx Drac jacket. Here, Tactical Distributors gives you a great idea of its features and how it fits. I got mine yesterday and it is generously cut in the body. You could easily wear soft armor under it or have ample room for layering. The Burly soft shell fabric is going to wear like iron and it has all of the cool guy features even though they are subtle.
Bawidamann Blades Skulds Available Now
Friday, February 24th, 2012We just got word that Bawidamann Blades has 40 of their new Skulds in stock NOW! They had 25 a few weeks ago and poof, they were gone so if you want one, get on it. The Skuld features a full tang construction with a 3-7/8 inch blade and an overall length of 8-1/2 inches. Two steel choices are available, S35-VN or XHP and there are three color options available for the G10 handle. It also comes with a Kydex sheath.
I purchased one in a pre-release order around SHOT Show and it is an outstanding blade. It fits the hand very well and the G10 handle not only looks good but it’s comfortable as well. The notches on the thumbrest are great for indexing and in the photo above you can see unique filework on the spine.
Here’s what they have on hand:
10 CPM S35-VN with BLACK G-10 handles $290 + shipping
10 CTS-XHP with BLACK G-10 handles $310 + shipping
5 CPM S35-VN with GREEN G-10 handles $290 + shipping
5 CTS-XHP with GREEN G-10 handles $310 + shipping
5 CPM S35-VN with COYOTE G-10 handles $290 + shipping
5 CTS-XHP with COYOTE G-10 handles $310 + shipping
More info/purchase: www.bawidamann.com
That’s a Grim Looking Panel
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
(Photo by SSG Marcus Butler, USASOC Public Affairs)
This photo shows (From left to right) NASCAR President Mike Helton, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue, USASOC Commanding General Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland and Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Foundation Lance DeSpain. They were all together last week at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida to announce the historic partnership to make military vehicles safer for Special Operations Soldiers and to share innovations benefiting all parties involved.
It’s an interesting proposition. The NC ‘automotive’ industry aka NASCAR will share technical data with USASOC (and vice versa) that might assist the other. In my opinion, there may well be some safety technologies or TTPs that come out of this but considering the drastic difference between a GMVS and a highly modified sprint car, I wouldn’t expect much more. This just feels ‘gimmicky’.
Maybe that’s why everyone in the photo looks so unhappy to be there.
TacJobs – SOTech
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012SOTech is looking to expand its sales and design staff. They are looking for tactical gear users who have a passion for designing new gear, working with military and law enforcement customers, and carrying the designs back to SOTech’s engineering studio. Applicants need to be willing to travel out to elite units, attend trade shows, talk gear, and relocate to sunny Southern California. Real military or law enforcement experience is required. Send queries and resumes to TMartinez@SpecOpsTech.com for more details.
BE Meyers GLARE Devices in Action
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012We’ve covered BE Meyers line of GLARE devices in the past and even mentioned ways they are employed. Now, ADS and BE Meyers have teamed up to produce this video that gives you a great perspective on how the gear is used and what it looks like, not only from the user’s standpoint but from the target’s as well.
The video depicts the use of the GLARE MOUT Plus at a Traffic Control Point (TCP), and how use of this non-lethal laser enables the TCP to engage the vehicle at a safe distance and determine the intent of the approaching vehicle. Not only does it attract the attention of the target but it also helps conceal the locations and actions of the personnel manning the TCP from the target.
You may notice a couple of interesting facts concerning the decrease in checkpoint deaths in Iraq starting around 2005. The sources of this information are articles in the NY Times and the Wall street Journal. At this point you might consider the information dated, but it comes from the time when these lasers were first fielded and the results are astonishing when you consider going from seven deaths a week to just one, that is a big deal. BE Meyers has related to us that the one death a week cited was often shown to be hostile intent toward US forces and the Escalation Of Force lasers actually discovered the intent and allowed for earlier and decisive engagement.
The GLARE line of products are the only non-lethal EoF lasers certified for use by all US military branches. Additionally, the US Army recently selected them for their GLIS program.
Also shown in the video are the LA-9/P and the GLARE Enforcer. The LA-9/P is the primary non-lethal EoF laser used by the US Marine Corps and Navy, and the most powerful EoF laser available. It provides greater than 1,500 meters of stand-off range in daylight, 4,000 meters at night, and it is the only non-lethal military laser that incorporates a safety control module to secure the laser, should anyone enter into the eye hazard area.
Jeff Bradbury, Marketing Executive, BE Meyers told SSD, “Our GLARE LA-9/P and GLARE Enforcer are the only devices with integrated safety modules that automatically control the laser if targets are in danger of exceeding permissible laser exposure limits. This gives our military and law enforcement users a truly long-range non-lethal option, with stand-off distances up to and beyond 500 meters. That kind of power and safety provides an escalation of force capability to communicate with and engage targets on land or at sea across all operating scenarios.â€
“The GLARE MOUT PLUS combines all of the positive attributes of the original GLARE MOUT device, and adds a training mode to further protect users, nearly doubles the power providing much greater standoff distance, and extends its environmental performance from -20° C to +50° C. The improvement in standoff distance is particularly valuable to the warfighters, providing a non-lethal escalation of force option that is effective at 500m in daylight, providing valuable time to make the right decision and take effective action,” said Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development, BE Meyers.
BE Meyers continues to improve their products and expand their offerings. Additionally, they have not only improved the capabilities of our military but adapted the technology for use by law enforcement, providing safe, EoF capabilities. For example, the GLARE Enforce is the only non-lethal visual disruption laser FDA approved for law enforcement organizations. This green laser relies on Eye Safe technology which automatically adjusts the output power depending on the target distance, ensuring the delivery of maximum safe power at all times while maintaining the safety of all nearby personnel against accidental eye injury.
Agencies and units can procure BE Meyers GLARE devices through www.ADSinc.com/bemeyers.