Archive for 2013
Reporting Live From SOFIC
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013Wings For Warriors IV
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013Wings 4 Warriors IV Flyer by solsys
Chief Bronson & Sons is hosting the fourth annual Wings for Warriors event being held at Lendy’s Wings in Virginia Beach, Virginia this Friday, May 17th from 1300-2000. The event includes all-you-can-eat (AYCE) wings, an EODWF reusable shopping goodie bag for the first 200 attendees, a Chinese auction, a door prize, and a silent auction. 100% of proceeds from the event go to benefit EOD Warrior Foundation.
Das Ding from FirstSpear
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013A lot of SSD readers have seen the FirstSpear Das Ding and come away scratching their head. I saw it and immediately thought ‘SERE’ but it’s really designed for anytime that you need a nontraditional load carrying solution. Das Ding is German for ‘The Thing’ and that’s a pretty apt description. It’s a thing that adapts to the mission and kind of reminds me of a money belt on steroids.
Made from Tweave, Das Ding incorporates 11 sewn pockets that allow you to configure your load any way you like. Once you’ve got it loaded, you slightly stretch Das Ding when you put it on. Then you overlay the Velcro panels to close it around you.
There’s plenty of contact with a 4.5″ x 6″ hook panel that connects to an even larger loop panel for adjustability. Additionally, you can close it in front or rear based on where you want to carry your load. You may want a smooth front or perhaps you want to be able to reach inside your jacket to access something.
One thing to note. Das Ding is really adaptable. We set it up several ways and in these photos you see a pistol. It’s not intended for use as a holster, but you can carry one if you need to.
It will take virtually any of the items you would carry as first line gear: survival gear, radio, magazines, first-aid items, even a side arm. It will also accept more specialized kit such as GPS, camera, smart phone, etc.
Das Ding holds your gear close to your body. Once I put on this cardigan, you couldn’t see the equipment carried by Das Ding.
A Squadron Smock or other large coat literally swallows it.
In addition to the inherent compression offered by the Tweave, Das Ding’s pockets incorporate grip enhancement panels as well as optional security stretch cords with pulltabs in order to help secure the load.
Designed to be worn alone or in conjunction with the Assault Gunners Belt and can also be incorporated with armor, worn as a single strap.
Das Ding is offered in sizes Small – XLarge in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote and MultiCam.
-Eric Graves
A lifelong shooter and outdoorsman, Eric is retired from the US Air Force and also served in the US Army. After retiring from military service Eric also worked in industry and has served as the Editor of Soldier Systems Daily since launching the site in May of 2008.
Blue Force Gear Adds Urban Wolf Grey to Color Options
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013The world is increasingly urbanizing and that environment is often a grey hue. Last year, Arc’teryx launched a new color called Urban Wolf which was designed to blend into urban sprawl. It also turns out that this grey tone has become quite popular with not only LE but also guys who don’t want to wear military-style camouflage yet still want to blend in.
While Arc’teryx has done a great job of introducing the color into their line, there are a lot of products that they just don’t make. Fortunately for us, Blue Force Gear does make things like load bearing systems and armor carriers. And now, they offer them in Urban Wolf.
“Urban Wolf is basically the color of wet concrete, near the color values of asphalt, steel, and reflective glass,” said John Felushko, Blue Force Gear’s Product Line Manager. “It was designed by Arc’teryx specifically as a better alternative to black and blue in the SWAT role but because of its ability to blend with diverse terrains, we like it as a general purpose colorway for many missions, terrains, and tactics.”
New Blue Force Gear products in Urban Wolf are on display May 14 – 15 in the Franklin Boardroom of the Embassy Suites across the Tampa Convention Center Franklin walkway.
Look for Urban Wolf as a color option for most Blue Force Gear products starting today.
Trijicon VCOG
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
Trijicon recently released the Variable Combat Optical Gunsight or VCOG which is a 1-6×24 variable powered riflescope with an LED illuminated first focal plane Bullet Drop Compensating reticle. It will be offered with an integrated thumbscrew or quick release mount. It features adjustable brightness settings and is powered by a single AA battery. You’ll get about 700 hours out of that battery on settings 4-6.
Here are a few other features.
First focal plane Bullet Drop Compensating reticle
Magnification Adjustments
Waterproof to 2 Atmospheres
Available August 2013. As we get closer I’d expect to see this in every gun magazine imaginable.
Kryptek Fabric Now Available for Online Ordering
Monday, May 13th, 2013Many have been waiting for the chance to order fabric in the various Kryptek camouflage patterns. Now, you’ve got your chance. Below, you can see the five patterns; Mandrake (woodland), Highlander (transitional), Nomad (arid), Typhon (urban) and Yeti (snow).
They are offering Cordura in 330D, 500D and 1000D weights as well as 40D nylon ripstop, 600D polyester, and NYCO Ripstop as well as Alpha which combines 91% Nylon and 9% Spandex for a little bit of stretch yet great durability.
You must review the site to determine which fabrics are available in which patterns.
R Ranch Rustics – Custom Ice Chests
Monday, May 13th, 2013Our friends at MATBOCK LLC recently conducted an auction of a custom cooler to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
That ice chest was handcrafted by R Ranch Rustics. If you’re looking for something special to commemorate your service or something as a gift or for your unit, check them out.
sites.google.com/site/rranchrustics/Home
BG Daniel P. Hughes Appointed as Commander of Natick
Monday, May 13th, 2013Secretary of the Army, the Honorable John McHugh has announced that BG Daniel P. Hughes will assume the post of Commanding General of Natick and will simultaneously serve as the Deputy Commanding General of the Army’s Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
In September, 2012 BG John McGuiness left the command and it has been under the interim authority of John Obusek, a DA civilian and retired Colonel. As the only active duty military installation in New England, it is good to see Natick once again commanded by a General Officer.
Congratulations!
