NEWINGTON, N.H., (November 23, 2021) – SIG SAUER, Inc. congratulates Team SIG professional shooter Daniel Horner for defending his first-place title at the 2021 SIG SAUER Fort Benning Multi-Gun Nationals. Horner’s impressive performance earned him the overall title of “Tactical Optics Champion.”
“First and foremost, it’s great to see this match return to the competition schedule. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit has made the Fort Benning multi-gun the premier 3-gun match of the season and SIG SAUER is honored to be the title sponsor,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “We are especially proud that for 2021, Team SIG’s Daniel Horner, and former AMU Team Captain, returned to successfully defend his title as Tactical Optics Champion. This win provided him the perfect opportunity, and proving ground, to set the stage for the upcoming commercial launch of his DH3 M400 competition rifle which he has been thoughtfully refining feature by feature since he joined Team SIG.”
To defend his title at the 2021 SIG SAUER Fort Benning Multi-Gun Challenge Horner competed through 9 stages, against 148 competitors. The competition required three firearms (pistol, rifle, shotgun) to compete and targets throughout the stages ranged from 2 – 400 yards. For pistol competition Horner used his P320 XFIVE LEGION pistol with iron sights and SIG 9mm Match Elite Competition Ammunition. For long-range competition Horner used his SIG SAUER DH3 M400 Competition rifle (soon to be commercially available) with a SIG SAUER Electro-Optics TANGO6T riflescope, 223 REM SIG Elite Match Competition Ammunition and SIG KILO10K-ABS HD range-finding binoculars.
“The Fort Benning Multi-Gun match is always my favorite of the season because I get to return to the AMU as a professional competitor and have my shooting skills, physical agility, and mental mindset challenged. This year’s field of competitors were hungry for the win, and it was a battle for first place right through to the last stage,” said Daniel Horner. “In the pistol stages, the accuracy and reliability of my P320 XFIVE LEGION gave me the clear edge over the competition, and in the rifle stages my SIG system consisting of the rifle, optic, and ammo provided me with the precision I needed for long-range targets.”
The SIG SAUER equipment used by Team SIG Pro Shooter Daniel Horner including the SIG SAUER Electro-Optics TANGO6T riflescope, SIG KILO10K-ABS HD rangefinding binoculars, 223REM SIG Elite Match Competition Ammunition and 9MM SIG Match Elite Competition Ammunition can be purchased online at sigsauer.com or retailers everywhere.
The 2021 SIG SAUER Fort Benning Multi-Gun Nationals was held at Krilling Range in Fort Benning, Georgia November 18-21, 2021.
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BLUE FORCE GEAR, INC., an industry leading manufacturer of innovative tactical gear, equipment, and accessories, has asserted its trademark rights and reached a settlement with Husar Ltd. And Ace Link Armor. BLUE FORCE GEAR is the owner of U.S. Trademark Registration No. 5,797,066 for its widely-recognized, distinctive, and unique cross trademark, which is used in connection with a variety of products, including the TRAUMA KIT NOW!:
Husar Ltd. And Ace Link Armor do not admit any wrongdoing or liability, but have agreed to resolve BLUE FORCE GEAR’s allegations pursuant to a settlement agreement for an undisclosed monetary amount. The specific terms of the settlement agreement have not been disclosed; however, among other things, Husar Ltd. And Ace Link Armor have agreed not to use U.S. Trademark Registration No. 5,797,066 or any word, design, or symbol confusingly similar thereto permanently in any jurisdiction, country, or territory worldwide.
BLUE FORCE GEAR is committed to protecting its intellectual property, including its trademarks and patents, and to ensuring that consumers are able to purchase genuine BLUE FORCE GEAR products.
Focused on developing and manufacturing purpose-built technical products for the SOF end-user, Arrowhead Equipment is pleased to announce that US Patriot Tactical has become the latest authorised supplier of Arrowhead products, to join their global distribution network.
US Patriot is a veteran owned and managed Military and Law Enforcement supplier and is the nation’s largest off-post retailer of military and tactical goods, with over 72 locations worldwide, delivering Arrowhead products to end-users within the US and stationed abroad.
For the complete list of authorized Arrowhead partners, please visit SitkaArrowhead.com
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The Gas Mask Pouch was designed as a removable pouch option for the Helium Whisper® Assault Back Panel Type 1. The bottom section of the back panel features a VELCRO® Brand fastener for modularity and quick attach/detach. For easy access the pouch mounts horizontally with a side opening. This allows the end user to have the ability to quickly reach back and grab their gas mask on the move. To ensure the Gas Mask Pouch is secured, the Helium Whisper® Assault Back Panel Type 1 design includes a security strap that fastens using GTSR 3/4″ side release buckles. The Gas Mask Pouch fits AVON FM53 or similar sized mask. All hook and loop material used is color matching Velcro® Brand Fasteners. All materials and workmanship are 100% made in the USA.
The 8 Round Capacity, 40MM Insert was designed to fit in the upper-zipper pouch of the Helium Whisper® Assault Back Panel Type 1. To increase modularity, the design includes carry handles and VELCRO® flaps on the sides that can be opened to allow the user to lay the insert flat. Hook and loop fasteners are located on the front and back to secure the insert inside the upper-zipper pouch of the Helium Whisper® Assault Back Panel Type 1. The 8 Round Capacity, 40MM Insert is designed to fit standard size 40 mm ammunition or similar sized less than lethal/incendiary devices. All hook and loop material used is color matching Velcro® Brand Fasteners. All materials and workmanship are 100% made in the USA.
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This is the first day of a week long look at my choices for Christmas gifts from 5.11 Tactical. You may not know this but I’ve been a 5.11 customer since they spin off from Royal Robbins almost 20 years ago. I took a look at their current offerings and selected items which I own and thought others might be interested in as Christmas gifts. Additionally, pricing is all over the place in order to give you lots of options.
On his first day, I have selected the Gunner Plaid shirt. Made from 100% cotton twill, it’s super comfortable and I really like the snaps down the front. They call it their RAPIDraw snap placket which allows you quick access to your concealed carry. You’ll also find two snap closure chest pockets and snaps at the cuffs.
TacMed Solutions offers three main types of litters: poleless litters, Foxtrot® litters, and the Rescue Task Force litter. What are the differences between them, and which one works for you?
The poleless litter is offered in the form of the TacMed™ Poleless Litter or the Phantom® Litter. Poleless litters are a form of non-rigid litters that are ultra-lightweight and ultra-compact making it easy to carry for medical operators or individual soldiers. It is durable and has multi-life casualty evacuation capacity. Additionally, it can function as a casualty equipment bag after the casualty has been loaded on a standard litter to hold an individual’s combat equipment or sensitive items, minimizing the risk of loss during the casualty evacuation process. Although easy to carry and store, use of a poleless litter often requires multiple people to evacuate a casualty.
TacMeds Foxtrot® litters are offered in the form of the Foxtrot® Litter and the Foxtrot® DA. The primary difference between these two litters is that the Foxtrot® DA utilizes quick connect buckles that allow strapping in a casualty with a snap motion whereas the Foxtrot® Litter utilizes two metal D-Rings that, although may be slightly slower, often allow for a tighter strap and are more robust. The Foxtrot® line of litters are semi-rigid litters that are draggable and easy to carry. Being designed by a special operations medic, they are specified to meet the applications of quickly moving a target off an objective. It is made of low friction plastic, allowing it to slide easily, that is connected to a rapid deployment drag line, allowing for a single person to sling the strap over their chest and still move the casualty with two free hands. It is the first litter system to be light and compact, being small enough to fit in our ARK™ Bag. A differentiator of this litter is that it is designed smaller and narrower in order to quickly move down bus or airplane aisle, as well as turn corners and fit through doorways more easily. Because it is semi-rigid, the plastic bed is also pliable, allowing the casualty to sit upright in it if needed. Lastly, it has a color-coded strap system, allowing for speed and easy use. The Foxtrot® system is ideal for SOF medics, police, SWAT, or people working in a tactical setting.
TacMed also makes the Rescue Task Force Litter. The RTF litter is designed similarly to the concept of the Foxtrot® system except that it is morphed for a domestic active shooter environment. It is designed with a thicker plastic bed which improved durability and product life when responding to multi-casualty situations. Like the Foxtrot®, it is narrower in size allowing for easy maneuverability through doorways, down aisles, or around corners. It comes equipped with a rapid deployment drag line, but also has handles for the ability to carry a casualty. Additionally, the RTF litter is designed with larger buckles, making it easier to apply while wearing bulkier rescue gloves. The straps are positioned so that one adult or two children could be evacuated at once. The Rescue Task Force Litter is ideal for firefighters, EMS, or police with gear for mass casualties.
Today, pre-orders begin for the second Arc’teryx LEAF SMU, the Gamma Anorak. SMU is an acronym for “Special Make Up” which is a custom run, not included in the standard lineup, but generally based on an in-line item.
The Gamma Amorak is quite popular in the outdoor line and this SMU, the Gamma Anorak IFF is identical except for the distinctive Ranger Green color and the 4″ x 4″ Velcro arm patches for attaching IFF to your anorak. These also incorporate V-Lite retention loops.
It’s made from a lightweight 4-way stretch nylon/spandex double weave treated with DWR. It has great air-permeability for high intensity use.
It features articulated patterning, a deep front zipper for ventilation, a zippered low-profile exterior left chest pocket, drawstring hem, adjustable hood, and elasticized cuffs.
I have tried one of these on and I own one of the Outdoor line versions. If you like anoraks, you will love this one. Sizing is directly from the outdoor version of the Anorak, so if you want some extra room, go up a size.
Although retailers are taking orders now, these jackets will not ship until Tuesday, 7 Dec 2021. I fully expect these to sell out quickly.
Here is a list of where you can order yours, based on your region:
For Frogman, the battle of Tarawa marks the birth of the UDT and the start of a very long history for Naval Special Warfare. Because the Higgins boats that were taking the Marines to shore got stuck on coral reefs, the Marines would have to jump out in some case far from shore. More Marines drowned or died in the water from enemy fire then killed in the next two days of fighting. So, the Navy came up with the Underwater Demolition Teams to recon landing sights to make sure the Marines could land.
But for the Marines, it was another day in an already long history. The Battle of Tarawa was fought on 20–23 November 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, in the Pacific Theater of WW2 and was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans (forced labor by the japenese), and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll. The U.S. had similar casualties in previous campaigns, like the six months of the Guadalcanal Campaign, but the losses on Tarawa happened in just 76 hours.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States had faced severe japanese opposition while conducting an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance. As the Japanese strategy was to let them land and attack after they let their guard down. (but that didn’t work against the USMC). On Tarawa, the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll. The Japanese said it would take the U.S. “one million men 100 years to take Tarawa.” That is saying a lot for a piece of land that was only 3 miles long and about 800m wide. The Japanese had fortified the island with about 500 pillboxes, four eight-inch gun turrets, and numerous artillery and machine-gun emplacements. A coral and log seawall ringed most of the island, and 13mm dual-purpose anti-boat/antiaircraft machine guns protected the beaches.
On the morning of November 20, following a naval bombardment, the first wave of Marines approached Betio’s northern shore in Higgins boats. The men encountered lower tides than expected and were forced to abandon their Higgins Boats on the reef that surrounded Betio and wade hundreds of yards to shore under intense enemy fire. When the Marines reached the Red beach, they struggled to move past the sea walls and establish a secure beachhead. By the end of the day, the Marines held the extreme western tip of the island, as well as a small beachhead in the center of the northern beach. In total, it amounted to less than a quarter of a mile.
There were immediate issues from the start. The naval gunfire stopped at 0900, while the Marines in their Landing Vehicles, Tracked (LVT), were still 4,000 yards offshore. Because of the lower-than-expected tide, the Higgins boats carrying later waves would not be able to make it over the reefs in the bay. As the Marines approached the shore, they realized the naval bombardment had been rather ineffective. They started taking heavy fire from the Japanese as they made their way across the lagoon.
Assault companies, K and L, suffered over 50 percent casualties in the first two hours of the assault. The following waves were in even more trouble. Embarked in Higgins Boats, they had no choice but to unload at the reef due to the low tide. They had to wade ashore over 500 yards under heavy fire.
This was how the men of L company under Major Mike Ryan made it ashore. Rather than leading his men directly into the carnage of Red Beach 1, Ryan followed a lone Marine he had seen breach the seawall at the edge of Red Beach 1 and Green Beach, the designated landing area that comprised the western end of the island. Ryan’s landing point caught the eye of other Marines coming ashore and they headed towards Ryan’s position.
As more Marines from successive waves and other survivors worked their way to the west end of the island, Ryan took command and began to form a composite battalion from the troops he had. These men would come to be known as “Ryan’s Orphans.”
On the beach, the Marines of 3/2 continued to fight for their lives. After managing to wrangle two anti-tank guns onto the beach, they realized they were too short to fire over the seawall. As japanese tanks approached their positions, cries went up to “lift them over!” Men raced to get the guns atop the seawall just in time for the gunners to drive off the Japanese tanks. Maj. Ryan’s Orphans and others had acquired a pair of Sherman tanks. Learning as they went, the Marines coordinated assaults on pillboxes with infantry and tank fire. This gave the Marines on Betio their most significant advance of the day as Ryan’s orphans were able to advance 500 meters inland.
3rd Battalion was severely mauled in the initial assault on Betio. Surrounded by strong Japanese fortifications, the survivors on Red Beach 1 would fight for their lives for the remainder of the battle. Ryan’s orphans made a significant contribution to the battle in opening up Green Beach, so men of the 6th Marine Regiment could come ashore to reinforce the battered survivors. Now reformed, 3/2 would take part in one of the final assaults to secure the island, helping to reduce the dedicated Japanese fortification at the confluence of Red Beaches 1 and 2.
By November 23, 1943, after 76 hours of fighting, the battle for Betio was over. More than 1,000 Marines and sailors had been killed, and nearly 2,300 were wounded. Of the roughly 4,800 Japanese defenders, about 97% were thought to have been killed. Only 146 prisoners were captured.
Maj Ryan was awarded a Navy Cross. Four Marines would be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle — three of them posthumously.
The military learned vital lessons from the invasion of Tarawa. The organization of amphibious landings was changed, and by D-Day, they would be far more effective. The tactics techniques and procedures of using tanks and infantry together to fight a well-intrenched enemy and other lessons learned would be used for the rest of the war. To this day, the lesson learned on Tarawa is used as the base for all amphibious operations.
