June 2017 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for June, 2017

Raven Concealment Systems – Phantom and Phantom LC Blow-Out

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

North Ridgeville, Ohio — Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Raven Concealment Systems has announced today the discontinuation and clearance of most models of their Phantom and Phantom LC holster line.

First brought to market 11 years ago, the Phantom and Phantom LC completely changed the paradigm of Kydex holsters. The line was the first modular Kydex pancake concealment holster, and its rise to popularity was due largely to its ability to be used as both and inside- and outside-the-waistband holster. The Phantom LC was especially popular because it was, at the time, the only viable method for concealing a pistol with a weapon-mounted light.

After more than a decade of service with numerous federal agencies and every branch of the military, as well as immense popularity within the civilian concealed-carry market, it is no surprise that the design of the Phantom has become the standard template for the entire holster industry.

While RCS will continue production on a handful of its most popular models of the Phantom and Phantom LC, the vast majority of the line is being discontinued and sold at the clearance price of $49.99. These holsters are being cleared out to make room for new product lines that will be introduced this fall.

“It makes me proud to look back and see just how much impact the Phantom and Phantom LC made on the industry. The Phantom has pretty much become ‘what a Kydex holster looks like’ in most consumers’ minds, and not many products reach that level of ubiquity,” said Michael Goerlich, owner of Raven Concealment. “But now we are making room in anticipation of new products we’re moving toward in the fall and winter, and this clearance will give people one last shot to buy a Phantom – and get it at a killer price.”

This clearance sale will run until supplies are exhausted. All sales are final.

Due to exceptionally high order-volume, orders on clearance items may take as long as two weeks to ship.

To see which models and colors are available, and to place your order, click here.

Tags: Phantom and Phantom LC blow-out
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Trayvax Offers Limited Edition Metal Wallet In FDE Color Pattern

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

Trayvax is pleased to announce limited availability of the Axis bi-fold metal wallet in an FDE color pattern. Trayvax only produced 100 units of this limited edition color run.

Bellingham, WA (June 15, 2017) — Trayvax®, a US-based manufacturer of slim metal wallets and outdoor gear, is pleased to announce the limited release of the Axis bi-fold wallet in a Flat Dark Earth color pattern. FDE is a popular earth tone, similar to the US Army’s “sand” color. It matches the tan, sandy-colors of modern U.S. military camo patterns.

“Our customers are constantly asking for specific color patterns,” said Gerald Craft, marketing and communications manager. “We’ve been tallying the votes and FDE came in with the most requests. We only made 100, and when they’re out, they’re out, so get ‘em while they’re hot.”

Trayvax will introduce special-edition, limited-production runs every three months based on customer feedback. The company will only produce 100 units of these specialized colors and there’s no guarantee they will be offered again. The Axis in FDE is now available while supplies last: www.trayvax.com/collections/axis/products/trayvax-axis-fdc-cerakote-limited-release. Stay tuned for a new offering in October.

About Trayvax
Trayvax is a US-based manufacturer of slim metal wallets and outdoor gear. All products are hand-crafted and serve as a reminder to get outdoors and Earn Your Story™. It’s this greater love of the outdoors and to humankind that inspires every Trayvax design. The company’s skilled teams of artisans and craftsmen continuously improve and refine designs to ensure enduring products that last a lifetime. Completely sourced and Made in the USA, Trayvax wallets and accessories are built to be passed down to future generations, not landfills. That’s the Trayvax guarantee.

Tags: Trayvax
Posted in EDC, Press Release | Comments Off on Trayvax Offers Limited Edition Metal Wallet In FDE Color Pattern

Marine Corps Modernizing Emergency Response Capabilities Across The Corps

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
Marine Corps bases worldwide are gaining increased emergency response capabilities with the implementation of the Consolidated Emergency Response System, or CERS. CERS standardizes emergency dispatching capabilities and provides emergency first responders with enhanced command and coordination to support all hazardous response missions aboard Marine Corps installations.

Maj. Mark Simmons, systems engineer for Consolidated Emergency Response System, stands in front of a newly-installed CERS emergency dispatcher workstation aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. CERS aggregates multiple capabilities—Enhanced 911, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and fire station alerting—into a single workstation, giving emergency dispatchers the ability to quickly dispatch the appropriate assets where necessary. CERS increases the effectiveness of emergency response operations aboard Marine Corps installations worldwide. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo)

CERS was conceived following the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in which 13 people were killed and 43 wounded or injured. A Department of Defense review of the tragedy highlighted opportunities for improved emergency response procedures and capabilities throughout the DoD. In response, the Marine Corps created the CERS program of record, a multifaceted system that integrates modernized equipment and software to expedite and streamline emergency response activities.

“The Consolidated Emergency Response System standardizes and modernizes emergency dispatching capabilities across the Marine Corps,” said Maj. Mark Simmons, systems engineer for CERS and Enhanced 911 at Marine Corps Systems Command. “CERS aggregates multiple capabilities—E911, Computer-Aided Dispatch, incident records management and fire station alerting—into a single workstation, giving emergency dispatchers the ability to quickly, and more accurately, dispatch the appropriate assets where necessary in the shortest time possible.”

Modernized Capabilities

CERS was implemented in two phases. The first implementation phase involved the installation of the E911 system on Marine Corps bases worldwide beginning in 2014. E911 provides enhanced, GPS coordinate-driven caller location information to emergency dispatchers, enabling them to provide more precise location information to emergency responders. E911 also establishes 911 as the only number to call for emergencies aboard Marine Corps bases.

“Previously, a lot of bases had a standard base telephone number that they’d call for emergency, fire, law enforcement or emergency medical services, instead of simply dialing 911,” said Simmons. “Now, emergency calls are routed to a single place. Anytime there’s an emergency on base, dial 911.”

The second phase of CERS involved the installation of Computer-Aided Dispatch, incident records management and fire station alerting capabilities.

Computer-Aided Dispatch, or CAD, is the second major component of CERS. CAD is a computer application that allows dispatchers to accurately track and task available emergency responders to expedite response times.

“Essentially, CAD is going to help emergency dispatchers get the first responders to the incident in the quickest, most efficient manner,” said George Berger, Emergency Dispatch Services program manager at Marine Corps Installation Command. “CAD provides an incident records management system and will help emergency dispatchers provide resource management situational awareness.”

An emergency dispatcher uses the newly-installed Consolidated Emergency Response System emergency dispatcher workstation aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. CERS aggregates multiple capabilities—Enhanced 911, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and fire station alerting—into a single workstation, giving emergency dispatchers the ability to quickly dispatch the appropriate assets where necessary. CERS increases the effectiveness of emergency response operations aboard Marine Corps installations worldwide. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo)

The incident records management system enables dispatch center supervisors to easily retrieve data from past emergency events. Before the incident records management system, supervisors had to review logbooks and databases from different emergency response groups—such as law enforcement and fire—in order to collect all the details that occurred during an incident. Now, the supervisor may accomplish the research from their workstation, using a dedicated organized process not previously available, said Berger.

Enhanced fire station alerts streamline dispatchers’ ability to send emergency responders to the scene of an incident. Base fire stations are also outfitted with upgraded audio and visual cues that are deployable at the push of a dispatcher’s button, decreasing the time it takes for dispatchers to alert emergency responders.

Together, the systems in CERS match the capabilities found in civilian emergency dispatch centers, increasing the effectiveness of operations and lowering response time to incidents aboard Marine Corps installations.

Impacting Marine installations worldwide

The Marine Requirements Oversight Council selected 13 of the 24 Marine Corps bases worldwide to receive CERS. Currently, phase two of CERS is being implemented in emergency dispatch centers at the 13 selected installations. Before CERS, each base had its own method of emergency dispatching, said Berger.

“In many cases, the older emergency dispatch system may have consisted of a pen and paper,” said Berger. “CERS is a standardized solution, which will help coordinate all calls for service and support the moving parts of law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service activities.”

CERS is part of the Supporting Establishment Systems portfolio at Marine Corps Systems Command. The CERS team provides critical information technology solutions to emergency first responders at Marine Corps installations worldwide, heightening the safety and security of Marines, sailors, civilians and families who live and work on base.

“I want to say thank you to the Marine Corps Systems Command folks for going through this effort and fielding this solution,” said Berger. “It’s been a long time coming and the team has been working hard. As the headquarters advocate, I truly appreciate their efforts, as do each of the 13 Installations.”

By Ashley Calingo, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command | June 13, 2017

Posted in MARCORSYSCOM, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Grey Ghost Precision Team Shooter Jeremiah Futch, Secures Top Placement at Multi-Gun Nationals

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

June 15, 2017 – Grey Ghost Precision is proud to announce team shooter, Jeremiah Futch’s placement of 23rd in the Tactical Division at the 2017 USPSA Muti-Gun Nationals held April 14-16th, in Boulder City, NV.

This was the second Nationals for Futch, a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces with multiple combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and proven track record of leadership. He is currently the Head Shooting Instructor for the 1st Special Forces Group (A) and a valued member of the Grey Ghost shooting team.

Each of the firearms that Futch runs during the competitions has been manufactured or modified by the team at Grey Ghost Precision. Choosing to run the Grey Ghost Precision Light (5.56), with an 18″ barrel for his rifle during the competitions, Futch’s rifle choice isn’t the most common in the 3-Gun arena.

“My rifle is by far my best of the 3 guns I have. I also use a Remington Versa Max shotgun that has been customized by the GGP machinist shop, and a GLOCK24 with a 9mm conversion barrel that has also been tailored by the same team. Needless to say, the team at GGP is one that I trust completely.”

Futch is one of several active duty, Special Operations Military members the team at Grey Ghost entrusts their firearms with, to provide honest and real feedback.

With a number of prototypes in the hands of trusted industry partners and professionals, from Special Forces teams and instructors, Law Enforcement, competition shooters and hardcore hunters, Grey Ghost isn’t one of those companies who asks for help and then decide they’re going to do it their way anyway. The team takes every ounce of feedback, in conjunction with design and engineering, and the product you see come out of the box will be the result of legitimate evaluations and honest opinion.

“We make it a point to remain relevant to our customers by being in constant contact with them,” stated GW Ayers, Vice President of GGP. “Feedback is the most important aspect in design and manufacturing – and we realize how imperative it is to humble ourselves to know that. We are incredibly end-user focused; and with several of our products currently being deployed with teams in combat, our focus on the feedback from those who put themselves into harms way is the most imperative.”

Grey Ghost has worked hard to maintain a reputation in the industry that is second-to-none when it comes to class, work ethic and innovation. The team not only brings new products to the market on a consistent basis (they were among the first to introduce a new line of .308 at SHOT 2 years ago), but they ensure that each product that goes out the door is to the ultimate end-user satisfaction and perfection.

Futch, who trains year-round, returned from a deployment in the Philippines just 30-days before the match, and pushed hard in training to make up for lost time with the Grey Ghost rifle. Spending nearly 90 minutes, 6 days-a-week leading up to the match, Futch and his Grey Ghost rifled proved that the nothing can stop you if you train hard enough.

“Have Jeremiah as part of the Grey Ghost team is not only an honor, but is a truly imperative ingredient to how we as a company operate,” stated Casey Ingles, CEO of GGP. “Without professionals such as Jeremiah, we wouldn’t be able to produce the products we do, and be able to provide those who use them, the confidence to know they will operate when needed.

Jeremiah Futch is the Head Combat Marksmanship Instructor for 1st Special Forces Group’s (Airborne) Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Committee. He is a professionally sponsored shooter competing in USPSA, Multi-gun and 3 Gun competitions. Futch consistently places in the top 50 at multiple National Championships, and is currently the USPSA Washington State Champion in Carry Optics Division. His title sponsors include Grey Ghost Precision, Blade-tech, Vortex Optics and Rainier Ballistics.

Tags: Grey Ghost Precision, Jeremiah Futch
Posted in Advertiser, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Day 9 Prize: Mother of All Giveaways

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

Here we are at Day 9, and theres one more gear prize to give away before the big dogs come out. The CEO of Grey Ghost Gear and Tactical Tailor personally put together a ‘Gunfighter’ Kit. This kit includes a Minimalist Hypalon Plate Carrier (with our patch, of course) and a UGF Padded Battle Belt, outfitted with pistol mag pouches, rifle mag pouches, a dump pouch, a first aid/accessory pouch, and a holster. The whole kit is in Multicam just as pictured above. Add your gun and some of your gear to the belt and carrier, and you should be good to go!

We’ll be giving away this kit to ONE lucky winner. To enter, click the banner on our homepage, or even HERE.

Fill out the form, confirm the email, and just like that you are in for the whole event. If you already entered, you are still good to go for the entire giveaway!

U.S. 18+ to enter, because of the grand prizes being firearms.

Speaking of Grand Prizes, watch this video to see them for yourself:

Grand Prizes and BONUS PRIZE: Mother of all Giveaways

Posted in Contest | 2 Comments »

Day 8 Winners: Mother of All Giveaways

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

The 25 Winners of the Apparition SBR Bags are:

David Elmer Sr. – Milford, NH
Eddie Thill – Cincinnati, OH
Thomas P. McLaughlin – Adams, TN
Michael Gilbert – Pearland , TX
Greg Gosselin – Colorado Springs, CO
Robert Poe – Lafontaine, ID
Lauren Drew – Sanford, NC
Roger Gortmaker – Milwaukee, WI
Kevin Widner – Nutrioso, AZ
John Minton – Des Moines, IA
Beau Hunt – Vacaville, CA
Pete Triolo – Burlington, NC
Michael Cooper – Santa Clarita, CA
Tom Nevens – Destin, FL
Gary Lopez – El Paso, TX
Eric Brunsen – Derby, KS
Paul A. Miller – Leicester, MA
William Bryan Green Sr – Weston, MO
Jack Weber – Cape May, NJ
Andrew Kuenker – Westfield, IN
Jeff Sizemore – Foley, AL
Matthew Olson – Helena, MT
John Coleman – Denver, CO
Nicholas Johnson – JBER, AK
Eric James – Gresham, OR

(Random Color, rifle not included)

Winners will be contacted via email.

Didn’t see your name? That just means you have 6 more chances to win. The next prizes will only have one winner each… so your odds didn’t get better but the prizes themselves definitely will be! Stay tuned for each daily winner announcement. Not entered? click HERE.

REMINDER: U.S. residents 18yrs or older only for firearms prizes.

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NSWC-Crane Issues Presolicitation For New Optics – Miniature Aiming System – Day Optic Squad – Close Quarters Sight and Clip-On Magnifier

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, which manages small arms development for USSOCOM, has issued a presolicitation, informing industry that it intends to issue a solicitation contract for a full and open competition for an anticipated Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract that will cover a five year ordering period with five (5) additional one (1) year options that may be exercised at the Governments convenience. When you see the minimum and maximum for the IDIQ, your eyebrows will raise a little, but it will make sense.

The anticipated requirement is for a Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics (MAS-D) Squad – Close Quarters Sight (CQS) and Clip-On Magnifier (CM). The sights will be used on both compact and assault rifles. The anticipated contract minimum quantity is thirty (30) units OR $36,000 and the anticipated contract maximum quantity is thirty-nine thousand three hundred units (39,300) OR $47,160,000. These numbers give the command a great deal of flexibility, allowing them to select more than one contract awardee. Additionally, there is room for other organizations to purchase from this contract.

This slide comes from COL Samuel Ashley’s (USASOC G8) briefing at last month’s NDIA Armaments Symposium. Many know that USASOC divested itself from the use of EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights due to their thermal shift issue. What many don’t know is what they replaced them with as an interim solution. The 75th Ranger Regiment had an immediate need and a shoot off of Commercial Off The Shelf red dot sights was conducted at Ft Bragg, NC. The sights evaluated included the EOTech as a baseline, Aimpoint T2, Leupold LCO and Trijicon MCO. I am told that the EOTech performed very well but that it was not a candidate for selection due to its thermal shift problems. I am also told that the user evaluation preferred the Leupold LCO. However, in a second phase of the evaulation conducted at Crane, the LCO had some reliability challenges, so ultimately, the Rangers got the Aimpoint T2. Interestingly, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne)(Provisional) chose to field the Army’s service common M68 optic, also by Aimpoint. The use of service common equipment saves the command’s MFP-11 Dollars for other capabilities.

Below is another slide from that same briefing that shows, in generalities, what USSOCOM expects from a Close Quarters Sight and how many they want to buy.

The anticipated timeframe for the release of the solicitation is expected to be in the Fall of 2017. For full details, visit www.fbo.gov.

Posted in Contracts, Optics, SOF | 13 Comments »

Ascendant Advisory Group Announces Down Range Solutions Group Acquires U.S. Optics

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

Brea, California (June 19, 2017) Ascendant Advisory Group’s Mergers and Acquisitions Division announces, Down Range Solutions Group has completed the acquisition of U.S. Optics, a leader in the firearm optics industry. Down Range Solutions Group will continue doing business as U.S. Optics and the company will carry forward the reputation for manufacturing and assembling optics to exacting specifications, creating optics that consistently perform in the best and worst of environmental conditions.

Arnold VonBargen, former Owner comments: “We are very proud of what we built at U.S. Optics, great products from dedicated employees. Now we have the ability to reach our potential with additional resources and opportunities. I am extremely excited to see where we go from here.” VonBargen will stay on to oversee product development and to assist with maintaining a brand of durability, reliability and performance

“U.S. Optics will continue to serve our loyal customers in the precision and tactical shooting communities while we work to satisfy the precision optics needs of the military and law enforcement personnel.” says Down Range Solutions Group President and former Green Beret, Pat Harrigan. Harrigan has appointed Kevin “Chief” Peterson as COO of U.S. Optics.

Peterson brings the experience of being Command Chief USAF for Ellsworth AFB(ret) and Director of Operations at Sonju Industrial. “First and foremost, we intend to continue the lineage of excellent products from U.S. Optics, creating a zero-defect environment and increasing production so delivery times will decrease. Secondly, we intend to engage directly in providing product to our military, so they have the most advanced and dependable optics available” Stated Peterson.

Ascendant Advisory Group’s consulting and growth division will work with the U.S. Optics management team to help execute the go-forward strategy. The existing employees and management at U.S. Optics, together with the management at DRSG and Ascendant Advisory Group’s consulting division combine to create a partnership of diverse talent which will continually drive the production of high quality products. Additionally, increased production capacity will allow for the release of additional products and designs to a broader section of the market.

Down Range Solutions Group is a veteran owned and operated company that provides the most advanced and dependable products on the market for our military, law enforcement and civilian customers. By partnering with the best companies in the industry, hiring the best talent in the world, and engineering solutions thought impossible, we have developed unparalleled solutions and will continue to advance beyond expectations to serve those whose lives depend on our products.

Tags: US Optics
Posted in Industry, Optics, Press Release | 6 Comments »