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Archive for 2019

Max Talk 27 – GEAR: Getting your Guerrilla on: Fight Light!

Monday, June 24th, 2019

This is the twenty seventh installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.

A slight change of direction from tactical videos, this is a look at running light kit without a plate carrier / ballistic plates. Utilizing a battle belt with chest rig, adding a suitable backpack as necessary for patrols. It’s certainly a reality that in any kind of collapse or disaster situation, many citizens will not, for many reasons, wear plate carriers. Reasons may include cost, long-term duration of the crisis, temperature and environment, duration of missions, fitness levels, lack of food, general exhaustion.

Detailed explanations can be found in the MVT Tactical Manual: Small Unit Tactics.

Max is a tactical trainer and author, a lifelong professional soldier with extensive military experience. He served with British Special Operations Forces, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer; a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Max served on numerous operational deployments, and also served as a recruit instructor. Max spent five years serving as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years working for the British Government in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Website: Max Velocity Tactical

YouTube: Max Velocity Tactical

Excellence in Tactical Training.

Posted in Guest Post | 8 Comments »

Q & A – Mustang Survival & SSD

Monday, June 24th, 2019

Marine focused brands join forces to create complete maritime and over-water aviation solutions business

Today Canadian based Mustang Survival announces its merger with California based, WING Group, and we sat down with the company’s president, Jason Leggatt to get up to speed on the news and what it will mean for both brands moving forward.

Some background – Jason has been with the brand for 19+ years, starting out as an engineering co-op student he worked on NASA programs and aircrew flight equipment programs for the NAVAIR, USAF & RCAF. In his time with the company they developed and advanced a suite of aircrew technologies culminating in teaming with TIAX & Survitec to win the USAF Integrated Aircrew Ensemble Program, which will replace all legacy USAF equipment across the fleet.

SSD: Quick introduction for those who aren’t as familiar with your Brand – who is Mustang Survival?

Jason: Mustang Survival is a highly recognized leader in the field of personal flotation, dry solutions & marine accessories, not only with military and maritime professionals, but with recreational users alike.

Since our inception in 1967 we have been focused on creating confidence and trust with our end users that is unparalleled. We have some of the most talented engineers and designers in the industry at our Waterlife Studio in British Columbia, Canada and their focus in on creating flotation and life-preserving components for real-world superheroes.

Previously as part of the Safariland family, we have been focused on bringing the company back to its core strengths of product innovation and concentrated our efforts on programs with proprietary solutions developed through close intimacy with elite users. This strategy has created a winning solution for the MASS/L-MASS dry suit contract, a new RATIS life preserver for Special Operations, and several other “future innovations” which are in various stages of development. In parallel we created a vision to leverage the authenticity of our professional/military hero business into the outdoor recreation arena. We launched the EP Ocean Race series in 2017 and will continue to roll out more paddle, sailing and fishing focused technical outerwear.

SSD: And now you are embarking on a new chapter, tell us more about the newly announced merger.

Jason: As of today, we can officially announce that Mustang Survival has merged with the WING group. For those maybe not familiar with them, the WING group comprises of Wing Inflatables, Henshaw Inflatables, the Patten Company, and FabTek Industries.

For over 30 years, WING’s first in the field innovative use of polyurethane and pioneering new technology, have led to the development of sponsons and boats that are lighter, last longer, look better and outperform the competition. They have built an unparalleled reputation for providing professional inflatable solutions for both recreational and military use. Whether it’s a river guide company requiring the most durable white water rafts, a private yacht management company requiring an expeditionary craft or a military detachment operating a fixed-wing airframe required automatically deployed personnel life rafts, to a Special Operations unit that depends on the best performing combat rubber raiding craft in the world. We are excited to become part of the family.

SSD: This really brings Mustang back into the fold of Maritime focused family and a significant pillar in the new portfolio. What does that mean for the brand?

Jason: The merger will fuel opportunities for market share gain in rescue & military. WING Inflatables is the leader in combat raiding rubber craft (CRRC) / tactical & rescue boats. We will leverage WING Group tactical and rescue boat programs to offer complete small team solutions within these kinds of user communities. WING also has a global sales and distribution strategy that will enable us to go-to-market Internationally with our innovative product solutions such as maritime assault suit systems & the RATIS SOF flotation system, which several SOCOM and Navy users are in the process of adopting. We will also exploit new developmental opportunities that leverage the combined strengths of our companies.

SSD: Will you be relocating any of your office, manufacturing or distribution locations?

Jason: No, Mustang Survival will continue to operate out of its current locations with headquarters and Canadian warehouse and logistics in Burnaby, BC; Customer Operations in Bellingham, WA; U.S. distribution & logistics in Spencer, WV; and Berry-compliant manufacturing in Jacksonville, FL.

As a side note, Mustang & WING are both part of the Army’s FOBAM program that is supplied by ADS. We supply ADS with the MRV151 Universal Military Vests that are included with every WING CRRC ADS supplies.

The WING Group is privately owned by an investment group led by President & CEO Andrew Branagh, they have their head office is in Lafayette, California, and the various company operations are located in Arcata, California; Wincanton, UK, Lake Worth, Florida; and Seattle, WA.

For more company information please go to: www.inflatablesolutions.com.

Posted in Industry, Maritime | 3 Comments »

The Safariland Group Announces Divestiture of Mustang Survival

Monday, June 24th, 2019

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The Safariland Group (“Safariland” or the “Company”), a leading provider of a diverse range of safety and survivability products for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, today announced that it completed the divestiture of Mustang Survival, Inc. and its related entities (“Mustang”) to the WING Group, a leading manufacturer of inflatable sponsons, small combat craft, whitewater rafting solutions, life rafts, and marine doors and windows. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Warren Kanders, Safariland’s Chairman and CEO, said, “Since we acquired Mustang over six years ago, it has developed into a premium life-saving category leader with best-in-class products and capabilities. We are pleased to have completed this transaction with WING and we are proud that Mustang has found a home in a platform focused on marine and aviation applications.”

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on The Safariland Group Announces Divestiture of Mustang Survival

TNVC PVS-14 Non-Powered Bridge Mount-Dovetail (NPBM-D) Now In Stock and Shipping at TNVC!

Monday, June 24th, 2019

tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-pvs-14-non-powered-bridge-mount-dovetail-npbm-d

TNVC is happy to announce that the new TNV/PVS-14 NPBM-D (Non-Powered Bridge Mount – Dovetail) is now in stock and shipping!

Based on the TNV/PVS-14-PBM-A Powered Bridge Mount, the NPBM-D was conceived to provide lightweight, low-cost option for military and law enforcement customers that already have large fleets of PVS-14 MNVDs (Monocular Night Vision Devices) as well as civilian enthusiasts that may already have PVS-14s and provide them with BNVD capability, offering improved depth perception, increased situational awareness, and PID range.

The TNV/PVS-14-NPBM-D retains the yoke and fastener attachment of the PBM-A that allows the best possible lockup and alignment of dual PVS-14s into a retrofit binocular configuration, and is one of the lightest PVS-14 bridge mount systems currently on the market, weighing in at 2.93 ounces and is constructed from Delrin polymer and 6061 T6 anodized aluminum, and requires no modifications to the host unit and is compatible with all MIL-SPEC PVS-14, AN/PVS-14, TNV/PVS-14, and NG/PVS-14 systems.

The NPBM-D also features independently articulating arms, allowing users to adjust the interpupillary distance (IPD), as well as swiveling one or both monoculars out of the way if the user needs to use their natural vision. This rotating feature, also allows the goggle to stow more closely to the user’s helmet, both distributing the weight more evenly, and allowing the user to maintain a lower profile when the goggles stowed.

With a commercial MSRP of $315, the NPBM-D is available for individual an agency/unit sales and currently in-stock and shipping! Government sales and quote requests can be sent to govsales@tnvc.com

The NPBM-D is manufactured in the U.S. out of Delrin polymer and 6061 T6 aluminum.

Posted in Advertiser, Optics, Press Release | 1 Comment »

2nd Annual Special Operations Forces K9 Conference Follow Up

Monday, June 24th, 2019

SOF Project’s Krzysztof Puwalski was one of the organizers of the second international conference Special Operations Forces K9 Conference (SOFK9C), which took place from 17 to 21 June near Warsaw.

The theme of this year’s event was: “How can we help you and your dog in achieving and maintaining full operational readiness”.

The conference was attended by SOF operators, dog handlers, trainers, canine specialists and scientists from USA, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Austria, Germany, Sweden and Poland. This time the main focus was on the operational preparation of both the guide and the combat dog.

The conference was full of interesting lectures, behind-the-scenes conversations and establishing relationships, but above all, practical exercises conducted by leading SOF instructors. The special guest of the conference was James Hatch, a longtime operator and team leader of the K9 Navy SEALs, who had to leave the active service as a result of injuries sustained in a combat operation. James told the participants of the conference about his combat experiences and about the extraordinary bond between the guide and the dog. He also touched on the extremely important issue of coping in everyday life after leaving the service.

The conference was co-organized with the following companies: Silent Technical (Poland) and Norse K9 (Norway).

Special thanks to the event sponsor – Direct Action, producer of high quality tactical equipment.

The next conference is planned for 2021.

Posted in International, K9, SOF | Comments Off on 2nd Annual Special Operations Forces K9 Conference Follow Up

OR Summer Market 19 – SylvanSport

Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

SylvanSport is known for their affordable pop-up campers. This year, they expanded their offerings by introducing a new trailer camper with a more traditional design as well a line of accessories for outdoor living, like the Cloud Layer Sleep System (above) and Over Easy Camp Kitchen System (below).

Learn more at www.sylvansport.com/gear.

Posted in Outdoor Retailer, Shelter | Comments Off on OR Summer Market 19 – SylvanSport

OR Summer Market 19 – Flyer Sleeping Pad from NEMO Equipment

Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

NEMO Equipment has introduced the Flyer inflatable sleeping pad. You can see a cross section of the pad below. The design removes 60% of the foam but features no vertical cuts which often lead to thermal loss.

Coming Spring 20 from www.nemoequipment.com.

Posted in Outdoor Retailer, Shelter | 3 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Low Visibility Diving

Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

Diving in low visibility is one of the worst-case scenarios you can find yourself in whether it is in the day time or night time. Sometimes it is a lot worse in the day then at night. I say that because at night you can turn on the backlights on your gauges/ computers to help you see them. In the day, it doesn’t help as much as you would hope/ want. Many things can cause low visibility, bad weather, the type of water you are in diving in a bay, a harbor, swamp, river or third world polluted. It can also be caused by stirred something up. When you stir silt up, it is often called a silt out. This term is used more in the cave/ tech world. Silt-outs happen when you kick up the fine sediment that is found by piers or in enclosed underwater areas, like wrecks, caves, and on the bottom of open water as well, and in particular in lakes.

Silt is a type of granular material that is finer than sand and is often light, much like the type of flour. As it is very light, it is easily disturbed by movement, either from waves, current, or a diver’s body or equipment. It is carried by water currents and accumulates inside areas that are protected like in bays, harbors, and caves. In a combat environment, it is a bad thing for a couple of reasons, and it tells people on the surface that someone or something is disturbing the bottom of the water. If you are lost, it will throw you off your timeline.

Because the visibility decreases to next to nothing, it can cause buddy separation, free ascents or descents. Inside enclosed spaces, it can be near fatal. We were doing a training exercise in a local military area.

One of the swim pairs got lost inside a Conex box that was in about 20’ of water. It took them two hours to find their way out. With no visibility, it is hard to find your way out of something like that, which can cause panic, which in turn leads to more frantic movement patterns. They did not panic, they kept following seems and found their way out, but it wasn’t easy.

Avoiding silt-outs

The best thing to do about silt-outs is to avoid them. Buoyancy and trim control is the best way to avoid stirring up silt. Buoyancy will help you stay at a certain depth, and Trim is the ability to stay level in the water, and it will help keep your legs and fins off the bottom. Next is a proper finning technique that goes with the right fin. Try and use a good bent knee cave kick. Make sure you have a fin that can be used for a good cave and frog kick (jet fins and Go Sports) this will help

keep you from accidentally hitting bottom. Proper training and confidence in yourself and gear will help you if you find yourself in a low visibility situation.

Should you find yourself in a low visibility situation.

1. Trust your gear and your training.

2. Maintain your depth. Notice any pressure changes in your ears from increasing or decreasing pressure and try to bring your dive computer or depth gauge close enough to your eyes to read it.

Sometimes you have to dive in a low vis situation. Like if you are part of a dive team and you are looking for something or someone. Again day time is worst then the night time because it is hard to look at your gauges. However, there is new technology that is out there that can help. A Heads-Up Dive Computer (HUD) can make it a lot easier to read you’re your gauges. A good HUD can tell you your air pressure, depth, Total time of dive, and a lot more. SCUBAPRO’s new Galileo HUD is a full dive computer with a build in GPS. Galileo Heads-Up Dive Computer (HUD). Most HUDs mount to your mask or somewhere you can see it without having to look down at your arm. They help tremendously with low visibility situations. They help you maintain your depth and also help you monitor your air pressure. SCUBAPRO’s can be mounted to different types of masks, it is was designed to be mount to a dual lens mask mainly, but it can also be mounted to the Frameless mask and full face masks, used by most search and rescue teams. I have been diving the SCUBAPRO Galileo HUD for a while now, and nothing beats it when it comes to having to dive in low visibility. It can be used for Search and Rescue, military operations, tech/cave, and recreation.

For more information contact ecrazz@clannfive.com

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