Mountain States Tactical Officers Association is hosting their 2012 conference 7-10 May 2012 at Ft Harrison in historic Helena, Montana. Some of you might recognize that location as where the US-Canadian First Special Service Force was stood up.
In addition to the vendor show and usual admin meetings of the MSTOA, they are hosting some serious training opportunities.
Doug Pechtel with Countermeasures (former Army Special Operations) putting on a Tactical Team Leader Course
Rob Clare with Triangle Experience Group (former Air Force PJ and Army Special Operations) putting on a Street Fighting Course
Rod Alne with The Peak Inc (former PJ) putting on a Mountain Operations Course
Bennie Cooley with INL (winner of every shooting event there is) putting on a tactical pistol and carbine course
Shawn Lewis of ITI, a former Ranger will be teaching an Urban Sniper Course
Active Shooter Instructor Course by NTOA
Advanced Crisis Negotiators Course by NTOA
Tac Command Conference
For LE, access to this level of training is a steal, under $200 for 3-1/2 days of training.
We’ve covered BE Meyers line of GLARE devices in the past and even mentioned ways they are employed. Now, ADS and BE Meyers have teamed up to produce this video that gives you a great perspective on how the gear is used and what it looks like, not only from the user’s standpoint but from the target’s as well.
The video depicts the use of the GLARE MOUT Plus at a Traffic Control Point (TCP), and how use of this non-lethal laser enables the TCP to engage the vehicle at a safe distance and determine the intent of the approaching vehicle. Not only does it attract the attention of the target but it also helps conceal the locations and actions of the personnel manning the TCP from the target.
You may notice a couple of interesting facts concerning the decrease in checkpoint deaths in Iraq starting around 2005. The sources of this information are articles in the NY Times and the Wall street Journal. At this point you might consider the information dated, but it comes from the time when these lasers were first fielded and the results are astonishing when you consider going from seven deaths a week to just one, that is a big deal. BE Meyers has related to us that the one death a week cited was often shown to be hostile intent toward US forces and the Escalation Of Force lasers actually discovered the intent and allowed for earlier and decisive engagement.
Also shown in the video are the LA-9/P and the GLARE Enforcer. The LA-9/P is the primary non-lethal EoF laser used by the US Marine Corps and Navy, and the most powerful EoF laser available. It provides greater than 1,500 meters of stand-off range in daylight, 4,000 meters at night, and it is the only non-lethal military laser that incorporates a safety control module to secure the laser, should anyone enter into the eye hazard area.
Jeff Bradbury, Marketing Executive, BE Meyers told SSD, “Our GLARE LA-9/P and GLARE Enforcer are the only devices with integrated safety modules that automatically control the laser if targets are in danger of exceeding permissible laser exposure limits. This gives our military and law enforcement users a truly long-range non-lethal option, with stand-off distances up to and beyond 500 meters. That kind of power and safety provides an escalation of force capability to communicate with and engage targets on land or at sea across all operating scenarios.â€
GLARE MOUT Plus
“The GLARE MOUT PLUS combines all of the positive attributes of the original GLARE MOUT device, and adds a training mode to further protect users, nearly doubles the power providing much greater standoff distance, and extends its environmental performance from -20° C to +50° C. The improvement in standoff distance is particularly valuable to the warfighters, providing a non-lethal escalation of force option that is effective at 500m in daylight, providing valuable time to make the right decision and take effective action,” said Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development, BE Meyers.
GLARE Enforcer
BE Meyers continues to improve their products and expand their offerings. Additionally, they have not only improved the capabilities of our military but adapted the technology for use by law enforcement, providing safe, EoF capabilities. For example, the GLARE Enforce is the only non-lethal visual disruption laser FDA approved for law enforcement organizations. This green laser relies on Eye Safe technology which automatically adjusts the output power depending on the target distance, ensuring the delivery of maximum safe power at all times while maintaining the safety of all nearby personnel against accidental eye injury.
The BOLO Report posted a good article on repeated cycling of individual rounds of ammunition causing a failure to fire. The issue came to light after a Georgia-based officer had a failure to fire malfunction during a use of force incident. It was determined that the chambered round failed to fire due to the primer mix being knocked out of the primer during repeated cycling of the same round at night when he unloaded his weapon after work.
While it came to light during an LE incident, the situation is even more likely to occur with military ammo as troops are required to regularly unload their weapons. Oftentimes, that round goes right back into the top of the magazine it was removed from and this is accomplished over and over throughout the course of a tour.
It is important for personnel that do not regularly expend their ammo to rotate their cycled rounds.
I know its been a long time since we last posted one of these but we often run across articles that we feel may be of interest to our readers. Here are a few.
It sounds pretty cool. You’re looking at application of fundamental skills in realistic situations. There’s no repetition here. There won’t be an instructor standing beside you telling you to tuck your elbow in or keep your eyes open. Think of it as an experience that will train the one thing rarely exercised on the range; your mind. This makes it a program for students who have a firm grasp of fundamentals and are ready for the next level of development.
Additionally, Haley Strategic Partners is offering civilian classes in addition to Military/LE only classes. Courses will be unique to the environments they are conducted in. The class may incorporate vehicle operations, CQB, problem solving and navigation in both daylight and darkness, tracking, survival, human interaction and more.
Specializing in weapons accessories and illumination equipment, BE Meyers is constantly innovating and introducing new products. Here are two of their latest designs which will be well suited for Law Enforcement applications.
When you think BE Meyers you generally think military. But they have developed the new GLARE® Enforcer which is the only non-lethal visual disruption laser FDA approved for law enforcement organizations. This green laser relies on Eye Safe® technology which automatically adjusts the output power depending on the target distance, ensuring the delivery of maximum safe power at all times while maintaining the safety of all nearby personnel against accidental eye injury. It is effective beyond 2 km. Within 500m, it produces an overpowering visual effect that deters hostile action and dissuades further approach. The device produces a large target spot, making it easy to aim at moving objects and providing coverage of multiple individuals simultaneously.
The CIRIS® long-range infrared illuminator is so powerful it makes night mode cameras night vision capable. Despite its power (1,000 mW), the device is completely eye safe when used at distances greater than one meter. The CIRIS® is capable of illuminating subjects at distances over 600 meters.
So yesterday a gun company buys another, it’s not nearly as big news as this. Galls, LLC, a veritable powerhouse in the public safety, first responder and private security sector, has merged with Cerritos, California-based Quartermaster, Inc. While this alone is significant, add in this tidbit. Galls was acquired by New York-based private equity firm CI Capital Partners in September of 2011. Now, you begin to see some consolidation by outside investors.
Bob San Julian, Chief Executive Officer of Galls said, “We are very excited to announce the merger of these two industry leaders. Quartermaster’s large customer base will benefit from Galls’ broad product offering, high level of customer service, and East Coast distribution capabilities. In turn, Quartermaster’s highly recognizable private label brand, long-standing relationships with key suppliers, and established West Coast distribution presence will be instrumental as we compete for customers in the public safety products sector.”
Jim Duncan, current Chief Executive Officer of Quartermaster, will become President of the combined company. Mr. Duncan commented, “Quartermaster has achieved tremendous success on its own since 1974. As we look toward our future growth, we realize that joining forces with Galls and forming a national distribution platform is the best means of serving our customers. Galls and Quartermaster share a commitment to the highest standards of quality and customer service, making Galls an ideal partner for us going forward.”
“When we closed the acquisition of Galls last fall, it was our goal to build and position this business for long-term growth and profitability, both organically and through strategic acquisitions,” said Thomas Ritchie, Managing Director at CI Capital Partners. “Quartermaster’s strong brand recognition, marketing capabilities, and experienced sales organization make it an exceptional combination with the Galls platform.”
PNC Business Credit, AEA Mezzanine and PennantPark Investment Corporation provided financing for the transaction.
As the DoD budget shrinks, the LE and first responder markets begin to look even more lucrative. However, it’s not easy money by any means. The market is extremely segmented and it takes a great deal of leg work to reach the multitude of customers. You have agencies and organizations spanning from local to state to federal, all with differing requirements, funding and procurement systems.
A lot of departments rely on bicycles for urban patrol. In fact, the Las Vegas strip is rife with them. To this end, Safariland has teamed All Terrain Bike specialists Kona to produce the new Patrol Bike 29er. Bike riders will know that the “29er” designation comes from the tire size. One feature that is cool is the sloping tube that makes it easier to mount and dismount.
