Archive for the ‘Air Force’ Category
Meet One of USAF’s Female SERE Specialists
Wednesday, December 17th, 2014‘Grunts of the Air’ The A-10 Video The Air Force Doesn’t Want You To See
Sunday, December 7th, 2014
The Air Force is trying desperately to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II, arguably the best Close Air Support platform ever fielded, so that it can spend more money on the F-35. They have attempted to suppress this service produced video on the capabilities of the A-10. They are also claiming that the A-10 is only pulling Sandy duty in support of Combat Search And Rescue in current operations in Iraq even though the Warthog, as it is affectionately known to ground troops, is regularly raining death and destruction on our enemies.
Decoding Those Air Force Berets
Monday, December 1st, 2014Recently, an SSD reader commented that they didn’t understand why Security Forces and TACPs wear the same color beret. They don’t. Cops wear Dark Blue (which they appropriated from CCT) and TACP wear Black but the colors are close and based on fading, you could definitely confuse the two. One of the funniest stories I heard was from a TACCS who told me that a Soldier in the Army commented about how nice it was that the Army was letting them wear their headgear. TACPS wore Black berets long before the Army handed them out to everyone.
Currently, several careerfields wear berets. It’s really been a helter skelter smattering of who has a beret and who doesn’t with more and more added over the years. In some cases the beret is worn by actual combat oriented AFSCs and in others only by certain members of careerfields. Take for example, Combat Weather where only Weather Parachutists sport berets. On the other hand, you’ve got the entire AF Security Forces careerfield which wears a beret. Being in a Special Tactics Squadron you can find every one of these colors in a formation along with Airmen wearing ball caps or flight caps.
Berets have often been considered a mark of the elite (despite the US Army’s decision to institutionalize the Black beret for all Soldiers) and by extension parachutists. When you look at the list, the Air Force’s beret policy really doesn’t make much sense. For instance Air Force parachutists in careerfields other than those below do not wear a beret (although in many joint billets they do in spite of AF uniform regs) while non-parachutists in some AFSCs do wear them.
CCT/STO – Scarlet
PJ/CRO – Maroon
TACP/ALO – Black
Weather Parachutists – Grey
Security Force – Blue
SERE Specialists – Sage Green
Not shown is a Sky Blue beret worn by cadets at the US Air Force Academy while BCT introduction to first year cadets.
This image came from the Air Force and still isn’t quite right. For instance, Special Operations Weather Technicians have a metal beret device and no longer wear the DUI of the ARSOF units they support. At least the colors are all correct.
Questions Asked on the USAF Security Forces LEOSA Facebook Page
Saturday, November 29th, 2014uestions we receive on a weekly basis…
1. I’m Army MP XX number of years can I apply to the AF. -NO.
2. What is LEOSA? -Really?
3. How does this benefit me? -See previous response.
4. I’m Guard/Reserve/IMA/Retired can I apply. -If AF, yes if qual’d.
5. Why do we have to pay? -No public tax dollars.
6. My CHL/CCW is better and this is a scam. -FALSE
7. This violates Posse Comitatus. -FALSE
8. Can I arrest people 24/7 as a cop. -Absolutely NOT
9. If I can’t carry on base what’s the point? -Really?
10. I already have a state issued LEOSA card based on my AF status. -You are in violation of the law because you must have an ID card issued BY YOUR EMPLOYER, ie. the USAF
11. Can I carry a weapon onto a plane. -NO, read the law!
12. I’m a SNCO and don’t have training records, am I eligible. -Seriously?
13. LEOSA/CCW insurance is a scam. -FALSE, its been around for years.
14. Can I carry my USAF issued M9? -NO
15. Can I carry an Uzi? Technically possible, sigh.
16. I’m an officer, but not SF or an MP, and I can apprehend based on my rank and the UCMJ; how can I apply? -NOT ELIGIBLE
17. I’m a First Sergeant but was never SF am I eligible? -NO
18. I was Air Police, do I qualify? -Yes
19. I was Security Police do I qualify? -Yes
20. I was a Security Police Security troop before the careerfield merged, do I qualify? -Yes
21. Does this apply in Puerto Rico? -Yes
By the way, the Air Force appears to be way out in front of the other services in issuing credentials to their LE personnel in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act.
Shadow End
Sunday, November 23rd, 2014
Shadow End from Adam Taylor on Vimeo.
The MC-130P Combat Shadows have been retired from AFSOC service. This video was produced for the end party. Although they were a relic from a short lived Rescue/SOF amalgamation, their capability will be missed.
Super T in Brazilian Service
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
That’s just a cool pic.
Forces Focus – 24 Hours In AFSOC
Friday, October 24th, 2014
The Safariland Group Selected As Equipment Supplier For United States Air Force Security Forces In $17.7M Contract
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014The Safariland Group has announced they have received a contract from the United States Air Force to supply batons, holsters, and body armor to the Air Force Security Forces. The full release can be read below:
JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The Safariland Group (the “Company”), a leading global provider of safety and survivability products, announced today that its distributor, Garrett Container, was awarded a $17.7M contract from the United States Air Force for law enforcement equipment. As the majority equipment supplier for this contract, The Safariland Group products, including Monadnock® batons, Safariland® tactical holsters and accessory kits, and Second Chance® body armor, will be supplied to the Air Force Security Forces over the five-year contract period.
“We have been working diligently with our customer Garrett Container for several years to meet the U.S. Air Force Security Forces equipment requirements. Our high-quality products, experienced work force, and capabilities to meet large order requirements enabled us to be selected for this award by Garrett Container,” said Roger Cox, Vice President, Government Sales, The Safariland Group. “We are pleased to be the majority supplier of this contract for Garrett Container, a trusted industry distributor.”
The contract specifies a maximum quantity of 30,866 Monadnock® Detective® Series batons; 34,764 Safariland® Model 6005 SLS Tactical Holsters and holster accessories, and approximately 37,100 sets of Second Chance® BV02 Level IIIA body armor packages for both male and female.
All products included in this contract will be manufactured at the Company’s facilities located in Pittsfield, Mass.; Ontario, Calif.; and Jacksonville, Fla.
The Safariland Group is celebrating 50 years in business in 2014. For information about the Company and its life-saving products, visit www.safariland.com or follow The Safariland Group on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
