The much anticipated website CamoRigs.com is now live. An offshoot of SKD Tactical, CamoRigs was born out of a dirty back-seat union between the Tactical and Skydiving communities. They offer sport containers in Genuine Crye MultiCam, Desert and Temperate MARPAT (Commercial), Woodland, Army Universal Camo and Tri-Color Desert, as well as other patterns. They also have in-house products, such as the Magnetic Slider Keeper, Packing Mat and Canopy Bag, all designed and made right here in the USA.
Keep an eye peeled for 2012, when they will be launching a new line of skydiving gloves called Valkyrie, a purpose-made glove for jumping that actually fits like a glove.
If you do, then you have got to pick up a Center Mounted Weapon Harness from US Tactical Supply. Manufactured by 2/75 BB in response to a USASOC need, the CMWH is a simple solution that allows the parachutist to easily don and dof his weapon during MFF operations.
The requirement for the HEL-STAR came from tragedy. In 1998, a USAF PJ was killed in a parachute accident over the ocean off of Japan. His parachute was caught in a strobe light zip tied to his pro-tec helmet. This accident caused the joint parachuting community to begin the search for a more conformal light specifically for freefall parachuting. Over the ensuing years, several solutions were used until they started working with Core Survival and adopted the original HEL-STAR 4.
The HEL-STAR 5 is a flexible lighting solution designed to be velcroed to a parachutist helmet offering a smooth, low profile mount. One of the big enhancements over the HEL-STAR 4 is at the junction between the control module and the light strip. It was strengthened in order to alleviate concerns over cable wear due to repeated flexion. Additionally, the controls were altered slightly to enhance tactile verification of operating mode.
Three distinct operating modes are provided with a choice of White, Green or IR signals, either flashing or steady. The light is bright enough for jumpers to identify one another in freefall or under canopy. The O-ring sealed design is waterproof to at least 16 feet and the unit is powered by a single CR123 battery.
Below is a short video of the HEL-STAR 5 blinking in strobe mode between white and green lights (mode 1).
The HEL-STAR 5 boasts three operating modes:
HS-501 M-1: White/Green (Alt. Flash)
M-2: Green (Steady)
M-3: IR (Flash)
Naturally, once the troops got a hold of the marker they came up with additional applications for it including vehicles, outer wear, and equipment. Based on user feedback, additional capability is being developed for this family of lights. Core Survival products are Made in USA.
Tyr Tactical released their new Jumpable Lightweight Assault Pack earlier today. Designed specifically for airborne operations, the pack integrates several features not found in normal packs. For example, it accepts an HPT Lowering Line via two foldaway tabs at the top of the pack. Also straps are reinforced around the inside of the pack in one continuous piece for added strength and durability and are accessible at the top of each side of the pack in order to utilize D Ring attaching straps. When not in use, the straps can be easily tucked away and stored in the attached strap pouches. Additionally, the main compartment utilizes PV500 along the entire gusset of the bag and is reinforced with 2†webbing to add additional strength.
Tyr provides plenty of pouches to compartmentalize gear. The inside compartment features two internal mesh pockets and there are also two pockets on the front of the pack. Additional external pockets on each side of the pack include internal mesh pockets to keep smaller items organized. Ample PALS real estate is provided to facilitate additional pouches. It also features a pocket built to fit a 100oz hydration bladder as well as the pack’s internal frame.
Manufactured from PV500, the Lightweight Assault Pack, Jumpable boasts a 3,197 cu in capacity.
HALO nav boards are pretty specialized pieces of kit and they aren’t something you run across very often. In fact, we can think of only a few companies making them. Unlike some other designs the TYR model is semi-rigid to prevent injuries in the event of a hard landing and does not need to be mounted to a parachute harness. It can be positioned on the front of the jumper in four different configurations and is adjustable for jumpers from 5’0″ through 6’10â€. One of the cool features is that the jumper can configure the compass and GPS modules for easy commercial replacement of items and equipment upgrades.
Lots of guys get to see heavy drops from the ground, but it isn’t as common to see what is happening inside the aircraft as a vehicle or other cargo is released out the ass end. One second it’s there and the next it’s gone!
All that drop zone and you end up in the trees. This photo of PFC Sean Murphy of the 82nd Airborne Division’s Company C, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion was taken last week on Sicily Drop Zone in the heart of R5311. Anyone who has jumped Ft Bragg’s Sicily DZ knows it is HUGE but often as not someone ends up in the trees, even if it’s just on the edge. Either way, retrieving a chute is a pain in the fourth point of contact. Ahhh to be a PFC again and on jump status in the center of the universe; Bragg. Lucky guy.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel W. Goodman
