At this point, you’ve got to have figured out that we think Slangvel builds some cool custom caps. And, we just found out that he is doing a cool recce boonie variant with a mesh panel. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it’s in Hyde Definition’s PenCott Badlands.
Check Slangvel out on eBay.
We’ve been asking that question for awhile now, but we are very happy to report that the USMC’s Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) is now available in Woodland MARPAT. In fact, it’s already in service. According to industry sources, about one-quarter of the current production of FROG is being manufactured in the Woodland variant of MARPAT.
In addition to contract production, Propper Industries has also added the woodland pattern to their website. (a little hint, they will have NWU Types I, II and III soon as well)
Intelligent Armour Limited is now the official UK Distributor for Potomac Field Gear.
Regarding the move, Intelligent Armour Group CEO Mr Alex Bomberg said “Potomac Field Gear shows great innovation in product design and in research and development of its products, Intelligent Armour and its clients will welcome this innovationâ€. “What Potomac brings to the table will totally change what soldiers and close protection operatives wear in the field and will reduce blast and burn injuries.†We agree. With the Advanced Combat Shirt, Potomac makes an innovative product that not only addresses flame threats but also incorporates features to mitigate heat-induced injuries.
Intelligent Armour video
They are still in the stages of placing Potomac products on their website, but the gear they already have is all there:
www.body-armour-protection.co.uk/Potomac-Field-Gear
We’ve written a couple of articles about the development and fielding of the Navy Working Uniform Type II and III designed to replace the Woodland and Desert Combat Utility Uniforms for Sailors who require them. The big hiccup in full implementation has been wear guidance from the Chief of Naval Operations and he issued it yesterday in NAVADMIN 259/11.
Here are a couple of highlights:
-The NWU Type II is DIGITAL DESERT and the NWU Type III is a DIGITAL WOODLAND pattern. These were developed for Naval Special Warfare by USSOCOM and have been referred to as AOR 1 and 2 respectively but will incorporate the Navy’s unique Anchor, Constitution, and Eagle (ACE) into the design in a similar fashion to how the Marine Corps has included the EGA in MARPAT.
-The only difference between Type II and III is pattern and not the style of uniform. The uniform style is a compromise between a combat and garrison style.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
-Sizing is NOT the same as the CUU.
-NWU Type II and II are organizational clothing. The basis of issue will be 3 blouses, 3 trousers, 2 eight point covers, 1 Goretex Parka, 1 fleece, 1 helmet cover, 1 sun hat, brown fleece watch cap, and brown belt.
-Yes, there will reportedly be a “waterproof, breathable” parka offered in the new patterns. At one point in the message it is referred to as a “Goretex Parka.” It will likely be in the current APECS cut but we have not seen any examples yet in either camo pattern.
-The Type III will replace the current Woodland CUU for everyone and serve as the standard garrison uniform. Only those assigned to NSW or working in direct support if them will be authorized the NWU Type II. This includes Coast Guard personnel assigned or attached to NSW.
-The wearout date for both the Woodland and Desert CUUs will be 1 June, 2012. Non-NSW units with an operational requirement for Desert uniforms after June of next year will have to ask the CNO permission. What is unclear is whether they will use the NWU Type II, continue wear of the Desert CUU, or get an entirely new hybrid uniform in the cut of the NWU but with the 3-color desert camo pattern. I think the NAVADMIN is vague for a reason. It gives them almost a year to decide what to do.
-Naval personnel performing duties outside the wire in deployed environments will continue to wear a mish-mash of FR clothing articles from a variety of sources.
-Sorry JB, but security forces will continue to wear the NWU Type I unless assigned to NSW.
-Some traditions never die. SEABEEs will still be allowed to embroider their logo on the pocket.
-The Navy is really worked up over which way the eagle faces. They mention it six separate times.
-Finally, one change implemented by this NAVADMIN that will affect all Sailors is that the blue fleece liner in the APECS parka can now be worn as a stand alone outer garment.
For the full message (more…)
With Hurricane Irene coming at the East Coast like a dreadnaught, it’s nice to run across something humorous to help put it all into perspective.
Kitty Hawk Kites offers this OBX Hurricane Evacuation Plan T-shirt. Available in Blue, White or Gray in sizes Small – XLarge, it features a VERY simplified evac plan.
Tennier Industries Inc specializes in the manufacturing of extreme cold weather systems and other life support systems, including moisture-vapor-permeable waterproof seam sealed uniforms and sleep systems. For over 30 years Tennier has provided Berry Amendment compliant tactical items to all four Department of Defense armed services, as well as the Coast Guard and Forest Service.
Tennier manufactures APECS, Gen II and III ECWCS, The Four and Five Part Modular Sleep System, the 3 Season Sleep System and the Rapid Fielding Modular Initiative Sleep System as well as the Forest Service Sleeping System. In fact, they have been so successful, they have become the de facto sole source provider for military sleep systems. Furthermore, they were the first company in the textile and clothing supply sector for DoD to receive the ISO 9001:2000 Quality certification. You could say, Tennier Industries exists specifically to support the US military and US Military exclusively.
You want Authentic military gear. All Tennier products are available via GSA. In some cases, their products are also available for sale through select military outfitters such as US Cav.
A BIG thanks to our friends at the French website MultiCam Insider for this info. “The German firm Leo Köhler is entering the MultiCam market with three new products (guerilla vest, combat shirt and pants).” Interestingly, they are marketed as KSK items and can be found at ASMC.de.
5.11 Tactical® just released Flex-Tac®, a patent pending new fabric that is lightweight, features increased breathability, stain resistance and colorfastness and most importantly it stretches almost 20% more than traditional tactical pants. Available August 2011, 5.11 is introducing the new Stryke® Pant with Flex-Tac® as their next generation tactical pant.
5.11 Tactical engineered the new Flex-Tac® performance stretch fabric to offer 2-way horizontal stretch (20% more) with quick recovery and improved breathability and durability. Fibers are woven in a coil so they stretch and recoil each time extra mobility is needed. Traditional stretch fabric is typically made by weaving spandex in with a fabric making it heavy and less breathable with poor stretch recovery. It also breaks down easily when exposed to high temperatures, repeated washings, and any use that’s heavier than simply fashion. 5.11 Tactical also maintained the fade, soil, and water resistant properties of the original Flex-Tac fabric even when the fabric was stretched.
The story of the development of the new Flex-Tac fabric and associated Stryke pant is definitely worth sharing. Francisco Morales, President of 5.11 Tactical, took a trip to Jordan and the UAE, where he met with security contractors and elite US military operators who wear and are fans of the 5.11 Taclite Pant. According to a 5.11 press release, Morales pressed them for feedback on how the pant could be improved for their needs. “Create a performance stretch fabric,†was their overwhelming request and Morales knew that he had a groundbreaking task ahead of him.
He went to explain, “The goal was to add functionality for our tactical operators by increasing range of motion and reducing the amount of resistance the fabric would give them,†said Morales. “In order to maintain our durability and comfort we used the high strength-to-weight ratio of our popular Tacliteâ„¢ fabric. This allowed us to keep the strong rip-stop weave and add the extra functionality that stretch delivers.â€
