While this video has been around for awhile, it is still a great story. Larry Vickers recounts how he met Blue Force Gear founder Ashley Burnsed and created the Vickers Combat Application Sling.
Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
The Story Behind the Vickers Combat Application Sling
Saturday, January 28th, 2012Wild Things Tactical Announces GSA and a New Military Sales Manager
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Wild Things Tactical has hired Victor Ramos to head their military sales department. Vic brings years of experience in outfitting our Warfighters and he tells me he plans to not only expand availability but also product offerings.
Wild Things Tactical has heard it’s “harder than rocking horse shit†to get Wild Things Products, so they have placed all Wild Things products on GSA. Additionally, they are rolling out a improved distribution network to get their products to the Warfighter, quick fast and in a hurry. If there are any questions or concerns reach out to Vic Ramos at Victor@wildthingsgear.com and 760 707-9079.
Idema Dies at 55 in Mexico
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Jonathon Keith Idema was a character. For some of us, he was a nemesis, others an amusement and far fewer still considered him friend. Rare was the person in the tactical industry of the 80s and early 90s who didn’t have a brush with him.
Last year, I had read that he had barricaded himself in his home in Mexico, in a standoff with local law enforcement, his welcome long worn out in his homeland, America. Sounded like classic Keith, as he was known in the old days. After spending some time in federal prison for wire fraud, he reinvented himself as a professional adventurer and went by the monicker “Jack”. This time he ended up in an Afghan prison for running an illegal jail and torture.
He always seemed like the kind of guy who would pop up again somewhere else, with a new name and a new game. Admittedly, I was surprised to hear of his death at only 55 even though it was common knowledge he had AIDS. Only the good die young so I figured Idema would survive to a ripe old age, living off of the proceeds of hair brained schemes and frivolous lawsuits.
Here is a link to a pretty colorful obituary of Idema. Read it and then share your memories in the comments.
LMS Defense Relocates to Idaho
Monday, January 23rd, 2012During SHOT Show, LMS Defense announced that they are moving their corporate headquarters from Reno, Nevada to Twin Falls, Idaho. Why Twin Falls you ask? Well that’s simple, to work with Idaho National Lab (INL, a contractor operated DoE Lab), the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department and the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) as well as other businesses/organizations.
Specifically, they plan on opening a “comprehensive counterterrorism training/education center” to be located in Twin Falls County. Additionally, the site will “include a R&D testing facility for products and systems used in field operations for military and civilian security forces.”
In a press release, John Chapman, founder and CEO of LMS Defense explained, “Relocating our corporate headquarters to Twin Falls will allow us to grow the business in a more business-friendly environment with plans to expand counterterrorism training, defense, and R&D testing for law enforcement officers in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Montana. Southern Idaho is an ideal location to support our efforts throughout the Northwest to train law enforcement on unique tactics and skills that must be applied in handling domestic terrorism events.â€
“LMS’ future training facility will provide vital collaborative instruction to Idaho ’s law enforcement community as well as throughout the northwest region,†said Brigadier General Bill Shawver, director of the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. He went on to say, “A regional approach to enhancing the preparation of law enforcement officers for potential terrorist incidents will be critical to effectively managing high consequence situations.”
“Our mission at INL includes National and Homeland Security technology development. To have an alternative location in Idaho to test and evaluate small arms-related technologies appears to be an excellent expansion opportunity,†said Stephanie Cook, of INL’s Technology Deployment Department. “Having a unique testing capability in our own back yard may prove to be a tremendous asset to the region, state of Idaho and INL.â€
“We are thrilled to welcome LMS Defense as the newest member of Idaho ‘s corporate community,†said Jeffery Sayer, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce. “The movement of LMS Defense’s corporate headquarters to Twin Falls is a tremendous opportunity for the state to partner with the local economic development leaders to create a cluster of companies in the area that have an interest in military and law enforcement training, or firearm related industries. We look forward to working with the Magic Valley in the future to support the growth and development of this sector in our economy.”
There’s a lot of support for this move. However, the remote location is just as much a weakness as a strength. For example, INL is out there for a reason. It can take long travel day to get to Idaho Falls, and then the facility itself was quite a way from town. Much of the day is taken up with transits. On the other hand, once you’re there, there’s a lot of open sky and empty prairie. You can do a lot out there. That will be the dichotomy of their facility.
AFMO Out on the Prowl
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012AFMO owners Kirk and Rikki Rovinski were out and about at SHOT Show looking for the latest and greatest kit (after reading the news on SSD of course).
Blue Force Gear Welcomes Dawn West
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012Blue Force Gear, Inc. would like to welcome their recent hire, Dawn West. She will be working directly with President Ashley Burnsed on large projects including their new line of tactical nylon goods. She will also be assisting in overall business strategy.
Dawn comes from ADS, Inc. in Virginia Beach after joining them in March of 2005. She recently served for three and a half years under Amy Coyne as a Program Manager overseeing all commercial programs. She has worked extensively with the Natick SOF SSES group on one of the larger contracts she has managed. Prior to her Program Management position, she worked under Levi Wilson for three years in the Marine Corps Sales Division.
She has extensive knowledge regarding program management, supply chain management, military procurement processes and a proven ability to ensure contractual compliance and oversight.
Prior to working at ADS, Inc., Dawn worked in the commercial and residential real estate industries as a Project Manager for many large developments. She also served as the Senior Corporate Accountant for the New York Times Company.
Dawn is a graduate of Old Dominion University and has degrees in Accounting and Finance.
GSS Launches New Site
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Whiskey 5 – Kryptek
Sunday, January 15th, 2012
WHO
Kryptek Outdoor Group…A.K.A. “Kryptek, Kryptek Apparel, Kryptek Camo Technologies, Kryptek L.E.A.F, and Kryptek Adventuresâ€â€¦These are more of focus areas then they are stand alone entities. There are actually two legal entities within the Kryptek family of focuses; Kryptek L.E.A.F., and Kryptek Outdoor Group.
WHAT
Kryptek products are born from battlefield knowledge, focusing on what works in combat and honing it for other outdoor adventure use. Founded by a highly-decorated and vastly experienced group of men with first-hand knowledge of everything from air, land and sea combat to high tech camouflage development, Kryptek translates their military experience into product features to meet the needs of soldiers, first responders, civilian hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Kryptek Outdoor Group manufactures high-end hunting clothing; designs specialized products for law enforcement and armed forces; and develops high tech camouflage patterns. Its products designed for extreme conditions and seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible. More than just clothing, the company integrates tactical gear concepts and evolves this technology into technical outdoor adventure/hunting apparel and other top-of-the-line clothing that is comfortable, functional and durable.
Bringing “Battlefield to Backcountry†Kryptek looks to outdo expectations and deliver serious hunters and outdoorsmen with superior products modeled after what is used by our nation’s elite. In order to achieve this Kryptek counts on its pro-staff, a cadre of men involved in special ops to help test and give feedback and help create the most functional gear on the planet.
Kryptek’s Law Enforcement and Armed Forces (L.E.A.F.) subsidiary is driven to do what no other company does – provide customized, performance-based apparel that is specific and unique. It is focused on serving law enforcement, armed forces, first responders, homeland defense and other government agencies. Preconceived notions of what customers want do not drive the company. Instead, Kryptek is dedicated to creating preeminent apparel based on field-input and customer feedback. This group depends on their gear, period. Kryptek understands this and joins with its customers to design and manufacture apparel that will work for them.
Kryptek also creates technologically advanced camouflage patterns. The goal is simple: enhance survivability and mission success. Users are consistently looking for more effective camouflage for these two reasons. Using field knowledge and advanced technology, Kryptek creates anything but generic patterns. The company utilizes the teams’ nearly decade worth of experience designing the leading hunting camouflage patterns in the industry and combines it with battlefield experience and the foremost innovative scientific techniques available in order to generate the most effective patterns possible.
WHEN
Kryptek products are currently carried exclusively by Cabela’s as well as their online store. They have several new camouflage patterns they will be releasing in the days to come that are simply cutting edge, and extremely effective on the battlefield, and in the backcountry.
WHERE
Kryptek is based out of Fairbanks Alaska, with key personnel throughout the U.S., as well as a vast group of Pro staff that are serving in various parts of the world.
WHY
Tactical application has enormous cross over into the outdoor adventure world, and vice verse. Many U.S. operators use high end mountaineering apparel and gear. In light of recent world events, the employment of Conventional, Special Operations Forces and other Government Agencies focused on protecting our freedom by fighting and winning our nations battles has been at an all time high. From battlefield experience, new technologies, equipment, and apparel have emerged. The concept of the Kryptek Outdoor Group also emerged on the battlefield, through actual combat experience. The idea of tailoring specifically to our Nations clandestine warriors, and spiraling this kit and garb into the hunting and outdoor adventure markets was birthed by a clandestine warrior, executing covert operations, in combat.
The concept of Kryptek is one driven by passion. Seeing a need and niche in the market, a window of opportunity, and an overwhelming desire to do what no other company has done; provide customized, performance based apparel that is specific and unique, that meets or exceeds the expectations of the user, and consistently obtains the desired results. Kryptek is not driven by a preconceived notion of what the customer should want. Through experimentation and customer feedback, we will incorporate product features that meet the customer’s wants for functionality, durability, appeal and overall results.
The Kryptek Outdoor Group concept allows for the founders to fuse their combat experience and connection to the military with their love for the outdoors. By using the U.S. Military Special Operation Forces market as a focus group for research and development, the image of these warriors becomes woven into the fabric of the Kryptek brand. It becomes inherent to the image of the organization, and as these items are offered to the civilian hunter and outdoor adventure seeker, not only will the civilian customer be using s superior product, but one that is being used by our Nation’s elite.
“We come from a background where performance matters and results are expected,†said CEO Butch Whiting, an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and received two Bronze Stars among other recognitions. “The same principals of aiming for accomplishment and victory, of no compromises, of leaving nothing to chance, especially your gear – these all apply not only to tactical communities, but to hunting and outdoor adventure seekers as well, which is why we are fusing battlefield and backcountry experience to develop ultra high end apparel that has application and function in both arena’s.â€
