And it looks like US Cav does as well. They produced this excellent video featuring 782 Gear’s Erik Rockel discuss the attributes and wear of the FR Shemaughlava.
Archive for the ‘Multicam’ Category
We Love the Shemaughlava
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011MultiCam Keens
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011Spotted at the recent Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City is this example of an upcoming Keen shoe. So now you can have MultiCam Keens, but only if you’re a girl.
AF Announces Adoption of OCP for Deployers
Friday, January 28th, 2011Making good on their promise of 24 August, the Air Force has officially announced what was already happening. Personnel deploying to Operation Enduring Freedom will be issued clothing and equipment in the OEF Camouflage Pattern (OCP), commercially known as MultiCam. The Army had begun issuing OCP to its Afghanistan-bound forces last summer and included some Air Force deployers due to the nature of their mission such as Joint Terminal Attack Controllers which embed with Army maneuver forces.
In a USAF press release, Lt. Col. Shawna McGowan, the Air Force future programs branch chief made several statements regarding the fielding.
“At first, Airmen receiving the (Airman Battle System-Ground, or ABS-G) uniforms with mission responsibilities outside the wire in Afghanistan will have priority for the OCP.”
But the plan is for the OCP uniform to eventually become the only ground-combat uniform worn by Airmen in Afghanistan both inside and outside the wire, she said. This also will minimize the number of bags Airmen will carry into and out of the theater.
“The OCP uniform is scientifically developed to blend in with Afghanistan’s terrain, which will make our Airmen safer and more effective on the battlefield,” she said. “The new material is also flame resistant and lighter weight than either the ABS-G or the (Airman Battle Uniforms, or ABUs).”
The material also contains a bug repellant to protect our deployed Airmen, she added.
And, the colonel said, not only is this uniform better than its predecessors, but working jointly with the Army to use a tested uniform is the fiscally responsible thing to do.
“It’s not only a joint use of the best ground combat uniform available,” Colonel McGowan said, “it saves fiscal resources and also aligns with the National Defense Authorization Act language that encourages collaborative efforts between the services.”
Since the OCP is replacing the other uniforms, there also will be a savings that will come from not needing to store and supply both the ABS-G and ABU, she said.
So, reading this, I come away with the understanding that the Air Force will be purchasing OCP clothing and equipment from Army stocks and issuing them to Airmen who are deploying to OEF. However, it is interesting that Lt Col McGowan would claim that the OCP uniform is better than the ABS-G or that the Air Force will realize cost savings due to the fielding of OCP.
Since the entire Air Force is still going to use the ABU for all home station forces outside of Afghanistan and those deploying to a combat zone still require the ABS-G in the digital pattern, the Air Force will be adding a third uniform ensemble. Sounds like it will cost more to me. Want to truly save money Air Force? Dump the Digital Tiger Stripe pattern and adopt MultiCam across the board. One uniform for all regardless of location.
As for her assertion that the uniform is more effective. From a camouflage standpoint it most definitely is. The Army adopted OCP for use in Afghanistan for a reason. While Air Force Digital Tiger Stripe was not included in the Army’s camo testing regimen conducted in 2009 in Afghanistan, the colorway is based on UCP with Slate Blue as an additional fourth color. As a camouflage pattern it performs in a similar manner to UCP; abysmally. However, the ABS-G itself is actually a great system. The fabric used in the actual field uniform is the same as used in the Army’s A2CU and is lighter and more breathable than that used in the FR ACU. Additionally, the ABS-G is a total system that incorporates FR insulation layers. The Army’s Gen III ECWCS does not.
The article goes on to warn troops as well as units that they cannot purchase clothing and equipment in OCP.
“The only authorized OCP uniforms are those purchased and issued by Air Force Central Command,” Colonel McGowan said. “While some units are interested in procuring the OCP for training, future deployments and such, they won’t be authorized to do so because those orders would take away from supplies that are prioritized for the most at-risk deployers.”
She also discouraged individuals from purchasing their own uniforms as that could result in them receiving non-tested, non-compliant uniforms that ultimately could put lives at risk. With any new uniform, ‘knock-offs’ are readily available and Airmen need to use sound judgment and not spend personal funds on potentially non-compliant OCP assets, she said.
“Essentially, any unauthorized purchase of the OCP uniforms could result in putting Airmen at risk either on the front lines or at home,” the colonel said.
All good advice, except that it’s a bit melodramatic. Air Force elements were in MultiCam long before this decision by the Air Staff and will continue to do so in the future based on mission. They have had no trouble finding ample supplies of clothing and equipment. The real issue here is that the MultiCam version of the FR ACU which is referred to as the OCP uniform is simply not available commercially. However, ample stocks of alternative FR clothing items in MultiCam are freely available such as New Balance’s System 7. In fact, the Airman Battle Shirt is produced by vendor Massif. They also just so happen to manufacture the Army Combat Shirt in UCP as well as MultiCam and have recently introduced an entire line of commercially available certified FR MultiCam clothing. As for field equipment, pick a vendor and they are making it in MultiCam. Some of it is excellent and some of it is pure junk. Caveat Emptor.
A Little Bit of Crye Pr0n for Ya
Thursday, January 27th, 2011Here’s a little Crye Precision gear Pr0n from our friends at UK-based Level Peaks Associates.
Which brings us to an interesting point. As they are a full Crye stockist and located in the UK, they are a great place to source Crye and other genuine MultiCam goods for our overseas readers. And, US-based readers will be interested in Level Peaks’ own line of products such as their technical windproof smock.
OTTE Gear Recce Anorak
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011This exclusive video depicts OTTE Gear’s new Recce Anorak which they debuted at SHOT Show. Packed full of features, it is the first softshell we have seen that integrates a ghillie platform directly on the jacket. The headover anorak design features pitzips that go from waist all the way up to the elbow. The forearms pockets will take the place of arm boards and will also accept an ammo sleeve for a long gun. A large collar opening and pass through kangaroo pockets top off the piece. Coming Spring 2011. They are also planning an Assaulter version that will lose the hood as well as the ghillie platform and come in a solid color.
In other OTTE news, they have updated their color palette dropping Light Coyote in favor of Tan and Foliage Green for the darker Ranger Green. In fact, what little bit of inventory is left in these older colors is on sale.
They have also produced a gaiter in MultiCam.
Duro Introduces Two New MultiCam Print Fabrics
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011Duro Textiles, the exclusive distributor of MultiCam introduced two new fabrics at SHOT Show. The first, seen on the left below is LiteLok a 100% nylon, double layer fabric. It is 35% lighter than 500D Cordura and has been used in solid colors for many years for concealment cut armor vests. The ripstop weave gives it a very techie look and it boasts high abrasion and tear resistance.
The second fabric on the right of the photo is called Epsilon. It is a 40D x 70D nylon ripstop fabric with Nanosphere treatment. This gives it water and resistant properties.
For more information visit Duro online.
Under Armor Goes MultiCam
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011Not only is Under Armour introducing an entire new line of footwear which includes the MultiCam Speedfreek. I haven’t worn them yet, but I can say that they are very lightweight.
They are also offering long and short sleeved T-shirts in the MultiCam print.
Under Armour has a whole slew of really cool new products as well as specialty Wounded Warrior Project wear. www.underarmour.com
Crye Changes Everything…Again
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
It seems like just last year we were telling you all about all of these great new Crye Precision products, and just as they are hitting the market, Crye up and does it again.
As we reported some time ago, Crye did in fact win the SOCOM contract for their Low Viz vests. They produced two variants, one for the RBAV armor and the other for the MBAV. They both accept a small chest rig that attaches via SR buckles and the cummerbunds are interchangeable with the skeletonized AirLite cummerbund.
This is the AirFrame helmet with Chops and MultiCam mesh cover.
In addition to the GunClip we wrote about last year and is now available, Crye showed their new MagClip. Weighing a mere ounces, it fits US GI as well as PMAG magazines, clamping around the base of the mag and relies on two fork-style bars that fit around belts or into PALS channels. Unlike other systems, the MagClip remains connected to the magazine.
Crye has also made a couple of changes to their G3 field and combat clothing including larger jacket pockets with huge side entries as well as zippered back pockets and a new tool loop on the trousers. Additionally both field and combat pants share identical pocket layouts. They also are introducing an all weather combat shirt and field pant as well the FieldShell seen above as well as the WindLiner, a simple, lightweight wind shirt. Finally, for clothing Crye is reintroducing the range vest in a much more streamlined form as a cover up for the combat shirt when no armor is being worn.
Crye also introduced FastMits which is a product designed specifically for fast roping. For years, operators have used a variety of solutions including welding gloves which prove to be bulky and difficult to transition from rope to weapon ready. Crye developed an overmitt that is lightweight and is easily stored. They are placed over the operator’s gloves and can be quickly diffed in order to expose the hands to wield a weapon or operate radios or other equipment once safely on the ground.
In the photo below you can clearly see the MagClip attached to the PALS on a Blast Belt in addition to Crye’s dump pouch and zip off back panel.
