Despite its propensity for falling apart, the ALICE frame just won’t go away. Rather, it remains popular due to its ability to accept a wide variety of irregular loads becoming a modern day pack board. High Ground recognized its adaptability and decided to make it MOLLE compatible as well. They’ve created a new modular panel that attaches to the frame making even more useful for a variety of applications.
Once again, EMDOM USA has teamed with Military Morons to create a new version of the Ammo SAC. This new version, called the Split Ammo SAC, features a divider flap so that you can carry two types of ammo or keep other items segregated.
Weighing only 5 oz, it is available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, and Foliage Green.
At last week’s Military Mountain and Cold Weather Symposium I had an opportunity to check out several creations from Natick’s Load Carriage Prototype Lab. One of those items was a much needed facelift for the Individual First Aid Kit pouch which was rushed into service not long after Operation Iraqi Freedom began.
The current issue item is a modified SAW ammo pouch and it really isn’t well executed for what it needs to do. It’s kind of like attaching a brick to the armor vest. PM Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment’s Rich Landry worked with the Army’s medical community to determine the latest and greatest contents list and then set about redesigning the pouch. One big change is that the Soldier is now issued two Combat Application Tourniquets so the new insert accommodates that.
The biggest change is the pouch’s basic shape. It is now a horizontal envelope-style with PALS webbing along its face and openings on either end to accept the insert. I was able to try the pouch out and it is easy to access the insert and restage. The insert is still attached to the pouch via an elastic coil bungee which can be detached via Velcro if needed. Both ends of the insert feature pull loops so it can be deployed left or right depending on the preference of the Soldier and mounting location. Additionally, its flat format allow it to be mounted on the lower back or under other pouches on either side of the cummerbund.
In a Natick press release, Landry commented, “We designed it literally about three or four months ago, the medical community said, ‘Awesome idea. Let’s move out with it.’ Overwhelmingly, they thought this was a huge improvement over the current IFAK.”
Unfortunately, I’m not sure when it will become a general issue item but recent testing at Ft Polk was very promising.
SOTech developed a similar pouch in 2010 based on the contents of the SOF IFAK. It completed testing and was released for sale late last year.
Mayflower has just announced that they are adding A-TACS AU to their lineup of color choices.
Modularity comes to Hill People Gear in the form of the new Recon Kit Bag. Hill People Gear has never been about tactical. Instead, they make kit for back country living. But, after numerous requests from those in the SAR community for some modularity, they relented and decided to add some PALS to their popular Runners Kit Bag chest mounted pouch. If you like the convenience of the Kit Bag, think of all of the options available with the addition of PALS.
They’re not available yet, but the first run will include FoliageRanger Green and MultiCam.
Sometimes the simplest things catch our eye and the Tactical Luggage Lock from Maxpedition we spied at this year’s SHOT Show is no exception.
Available in Black, Khaki and Foliage Green, it is a 3-Dial combination TSA lock. This means it is good to go for air travel in the US and UK.
We mentioned the Helium Whisper technology and new Blue Force Gear dump pouch. Tactical Fanboy has a video of Blue Force Brittney talking about that little spent mag pouch if you want to go check it out.
-DR
Finally, something we can all use…
Kaos Kydex Solutions has developed a kydex dip can holder. It is designed to securely hold a can of smokeless tobacco and can be mounted on multiple platforms. Here t is shown mounted horizontally to PALS, but it can also be mounted vertically to either side or mounted to any size belt via a belt mount kit. MADE IN USA! and available in Coyote, Black, OD green, and a ton of civilian colors as well as hydrographically dipped in MultiCam or A-TACS. Check them on Facebook at www.facebook.com.
