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Archive for 2014

Hill People Gear – Heavy Recon Kit Bag

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Hill People Gear’s Heavy Recon Kit Bag is constructed from 500D nylon, and features FirstSpear’s 6/12 Pocket Attachment System externally and internally, which allows for full MOLLE/PALS and 6/12 pouch compatibility throughout the HRKB with a reduction in overall weight. The main compartment has dual slot pockets with dummy cord loops, and Velcro loop 6/12 fabric. The pistol compartment is fully lined with Velcro loop if the user wishes to set up the compartment for something other than pistol carriage. Both the pistol and main compartments have buttonhole style drain holes at the bottom.

Available in Coyote Brown, Foliage Grey/Green, and Ranger Green.

hillpeoplegear.com/Products/tabid/762/CategoryID/1/ProductID/37/Default.aspx

Tags: Hill People Gear
Posted in Load Carrying | 18 Comments »

Tactical Impulse LE-1 Indiegogo Campaign

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Tactical Impulse is an Arlington, Texas-based flashlight manufacturer. Their flagship product is the LE-1, an LED flashlight system originally developed as a primary duty light for patrol officers. They are currently holding an Indiegogo campaign to increase awareness for their brand, as well as secure additional funding to develop their next round of LE-1 flashlights and accessories, and develop new products.

The LE-1 is constructed from aluminum, with a stainless steel bezel. It features a 3100 mAh rechargeable li-ion battery with a run time of up to 12 hours on low, which can be extended to up to 22 hours with the use of the optional Size & Life Extension Pack accessory; run time on medium is 4.5 hours, and 2 hours on high, extended to 8.4 and 3.4 hours, respectively, when the Extension Pack is used. The LE-1 is water resistant to IPX8 standard, and has an impact rating of 2m. Max output is 595 lumens.

As previously mentioned, the LE-1 has a line of accessories that either support or add functionality to the light.

The Traffic Baton integrates with the LE-1 and transforms it into an electronic traffic wand, while still allowing the main light to be simultaneously used. It has its own ON/OFF switch, and draws power from the LE-1 battery to operate its internal array of red LEDs.

The LE-1 Cradle Charger locks the flashlight firmly in place to avoid accidental dislodging. It also comes with a spare battery charging bay.

The Smart Holster integrates with the LE-1 thanks to Tactical Impulse Smart Light Control Technology, or SLC. SLC was developed to eliminate potential unintended light activations when the light is holstered on a belt, which can prove dangerous for the user. The Smart Holster insures that the LE-1 will not turn on when holstered even if the power switch is pressed, and will also turn off the LE-1 if it is on when holstered.

www.indiegogo.com/projects/le-1-multi-purpose-flashlight-system

www.tacticalimpulse.com

Tags: indiegogo, Tactical Impulse
Posted in Lights | 3 Comments »

US Army Conducts Bookend Camo Tests at Ft Polk

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

In addition to the new Operational Camouflage Pattern, the US Army has long envisioned a family of camouflage patterns with OCP serving as a general issue, transitional pattern, and special Woodland and Arid variants, color tuned for use in those environments, to support contingency operations via limited issue.

When we originally mentioned the planned bookend camouflage test in late May, we framed it as “analog vs digital” and it appears that our information was correct. SSD has obtained photos of testing being conducted at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The testing at Ft Polk, comprised of OCP (Scorpion W2), M81 Woodland and MARPAT Woodland, is naturally geared toward the woodland environment.

While these photos only depict the MARPAT Woodland uniforms and the Soldiers are carrying UCP MOLLE and helmets, we do know that TA-50 has also been provided in the range of test patterns. You may also notice that the Soldiers in these photos are mixing it up, wearing Sand T-shirts and USMC issue Coyote (Olive Mojave) boots complete with Eagle Globe & Anchor marking. Interestingly, one Soldier has rolled his sleeves. At first it struck us odd that he had rolled his sleeves like a Marine until it dawned on us that currently serving Soldiers wouldn’t know how they would had done it in BDUs, as the Army no longer rolls its sleeves.

While we don’t have any photos of the M81 Woodland or OCP uniforms, we did score a photo of an example of the Green PALS webbing that has been paired with the OCP MOLLE. We are still unsure what this might indicate.

So far, we do no have any information on the Desert Bookend test which is said to feature OCP, 3-color Desert and MARPAT Desert.

Posted in Camo, OCP | 102 Comments »

Unit Leaders Purchased OCP Uniforms For 2/75 Rangers

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

We recently reported that Tactical Tailor and Tru-Spec worked together to provide new OCP ACUs for 2nd Bn, 75th Ranger Regiment’s uniform change on 3 October. After a little more investigation, we have found out that no government funds were used to procure the OCP uniforms worn by members of 2/75. Instead, they were purchased with private funds by leaders in the unit to ensure that their Rangers were standing tall and looking good for the Battalion’s 40th Anniversary.

It wasn’t that the Rangers didn’t have issue uniforms at their disposal. It was that they were field uniforms and 2/75 wanted to honor their and the Regiment’s anniversary in squared away ACUs.

If that isn’t awesome enough, we found out something else when we started looking into this. Turns out, Tactical Tailor sold the uniforms at cost and ate the shipping charges. How about that?

What a great story. You’ve got industry stepping up to the plate to support a unit and the leadership spending their own money to make sure that their men were properly equipped.

Tags: 2/75
Posted in OCP | 38 Comments »

12,000 Posts Alternate Banner

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

As you likely know, we recently hit 12,000 posts on SSD. We posted a brief announcement, and with the announcement a simple banner image. However, we originally planned to put this much more festive banner up instead.

So, go ahead and tell us: was the simple static white background banner enough, or would you have preferred the more festive option?

Posted in Morale, WTF? | 22 Comments »

Apocalypse Pooh

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Apocalypse Pooh is a merging of Winnie the Pooh and Apocalypse Now, created by Todd Graham. It casts Pooh and his various friends as characters from Apocalypse Now, radically changing the context of the original animation.

Thanks Jon!

Posted in WTF? | 7 Comments »

Delivering The Holidays To Diplomatic And Military Service Members Worldwide – U.S. Postal Service Recommended Mailing Dates

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

WASHINGTON — Making sure those serving in the nation’s armed forces and diplomatic service receive their presents and care packages in time for the holidays is a priority for the U.S. Postal Service and for friends and family members of military and diplomatic personnel serving around the world. Helping to get packages on their way, the Postal Service offers a $2 per box postage discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box at $15.45, for mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office and Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide.

Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at either local Post Offices, or ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship at cns.usps.com/go.

To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, send cards and packages to military APO/FPO/ DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.

Use the Military Care Kit to Send Presents and/or Care Packages
With Priority Mail supplies as the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created a free “Military Care Kit” based on the items most frequently requested by military families.

The kit contains:

§ Two Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes.
§ Two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes.
§ Priority Mail tape.
§ Priority Mail address labels.
§ Appropriate customs forms.

To order the kit, call 800-610-8734. Guidelines for packing, addressing, and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-guidelines.htm.

Addressing the Package
1. Write out the service member’s full name in the address.
2. Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code (if one is assigned). For example:

CPT JOHN DOE
UNIT 2050 BOX 4190
APO AP 96278-2050

SGT ROBERT SMITH
PSC 802 BOX 74
APO AE 09499-0074

SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
USCGC HAMILTON
FPO AP 96667-3931

MSG JANE DOE
CMR 1250
APO AA 09045-1000

3. Include a return address.
4. Include the service member’s name and address as well as the sender’s name and address on an index card inside the package in case the label is damaged.

Tags: USPS
Posted in Admin | 3 Comments »