SERE | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘SERE’ Category

Ceil Button Kits from Jacobite Solutions

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Jacobite Solutions is offering Pre-made Ceil button kits which are hollow and used to conceal escape and evasion aids.

Kits include 2x Small Buttons (23mm), 2x Large Buttons (30mm), Micro friction cord, a Tramp’s Compass, a Baby Key and a Stainless cuff shim.

There are two types.

British Issue – Replaces the standard British issue buttons.

Sew on – Can be sewn on to clothing like a traditional button.

Caps unscrew without the need for button removal. Extra buttons can be bought separately.

jacobitesolutions.co.uk/product/ceil-buttons-kits

Posted in SERE | 5 Comments »

Garmin Acquires the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center

Friday, January 8th, 2021

We are pleased to announce that the GEOS IERCC has joined the Garmin family. The asset acquisition includes the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) and GEOS membership benefits.

Garmin is committed to ensuring the IERCC continues its superior service as an industry-leading provider of emergency monitoring and response services. Together, we are dedicated to continuing to ensure that adventurers and travelers all over the world have access to 24/7 emergency assistance when they need it.

Here is the Press Release:

Garmin® International and Garmin Services, units of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the acquisition of substantially all the assets of GEOS Worldwide Limited and its subsidiaries. A privately held, industry leading provider of emergency monitoring and incident response services, GEOS Worldwide operates the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), the nerve center for SOS rescue efforts triggered by Garmin’s inReach® personal satellite communicators. The IERCC’s skilled response coordinators have fielded more than 83,000 emergency incidents around the globe since 2007, including more than 5,000 SOS incidents generated by Garmin customers.

“With this acquisition, Garmin is now able to provide even more peace of mind to our inReach users,” said Brad Trenkle, vice president of Garmin’s outdoor segment. “In an emergency, every moment matters. The addition of the IERCC to the Garmin family reinforces our commitment to helping our active lifestyle customers make it home safe from their adventures.”

“GEOS has enjoyed a strong collaboration with Garmin over the years, and we look forward to continuing to work together to continue to provide best-in-class emergency response and safety services for customers around the globe,” said Peter Chlubek, GEOS executive chairman. “GEOS has been a force for good in this world, and I am very proud of our superb staff, who have helped to save over 12,000 lives in the 198 countries where we have provided our global service. This will now continue to grow and be further enhanced thanks to new synergies with Garmin.”

GEOS Worldwide’s primary operations are in Montgomery, Texas. Financial terms of the acquisition will not be released.

What is GEOS and the IERCC?

GEOS has been the leading global provider of safety and response solutions for over ten years. GEOS has also been home to the IERCC, a 24/7 monitoring center that has organized more than 11,000 emergency responses in 195 countries and territories since 2007, including all inReach® SOS incidents. The IERCC will continue its critical work under the Garmin brand.

Will there be any changes to the inReach SOS feature?

No, inReach SOS functionality will remain the same. When you trigger an SOS, the incident will still be handled by the dedicated team at the IERCC.

I have additional GEOS membership benefits. Are there any changes?

Garmin will honor the MEDEVAC and Search and Rescue (SAR) memberships provided by GEOS Travel Safety. You can continue to manage your membership(s) in the same method as you did prior to the acquisition.

Posted in Comms, Press Release, SERE | Comments Off on Garmin Acquires the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center

Shomer-Tec Fire Buttons

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Shomer-Tec always has some cool gadgets like these Fire Buttons intended as a last resort fire starter.

These standard sized buttons (3/4″ diameter, 5/32″ thickness) are available in two different materials: Ferrocerium and Magnesium. Ferrocerium is a synthetic pyrophoric alloy which produces hot sparks that can reach temperatures of 5400° F when rapidly oxidized by striking with a hard object. Magnesium shavings provide a highly efficient accelerant and serve as a super hot tinder. Fire is produced by scraping shavings off the Magnesium button, and then striking the Ferrocerium button to produce a shower of sparks which can ignite the Magnesium shavings in order to set fire to kindling material.

If you use these, remember that the buttons are flammable, so give it a solid think on where you attach them.

shomer-tec.com/fire-buttons

Posted in SERE | 3 Comments »

First Arctic Survival Kits Installed in Eielson F-35As

Friday, October 23rd, 2020

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — In November of 2019, Airmen from the 354th Fighter Wing developed a new arctic survival kit for the F-35A Lightning II. Now, 11 months later, the first kits are being installed in Eielson’s F-35A fleet.

Eielson’s F-35As are the first of the Air Force’s fleet to be stationed in an arctic climate, which drove the need for a new survival kit. After months of research, development and testing, the design was sent to the 354th Operations Group commander for approval. In April the kit was given the “green light” and aircrew flight equipment Airmen got busy building them for the approaching winter.

“Due to the smaller size of the seat we are limited on how many items we can pack in here,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ross Dugger, a 354th Operations Support Squadron AFE craftsman. “Over the years, we’ve worked with [survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists] to develop this kit and decided what is the most essential equipment needed to survive.”

Airmen from AFE are responsible for packing the kit to fit a specific size in the F-35A before it is ready to go into the jet. The kit consists of survival tools and equipment to help pilots in case of an emergency ejection to include a knife for gathering food, a poncho to stay dry, and flares to signal rescue teams.

“It’s been a learning curve, with the seats being so new they are not as easy to pack,” Dugger said. “With time we will become more efficient and continue to ensure our pilots’ safety.”

After the kit has been packed and fitted to the seat, Airmen assigned to the 354th Maintenance Squadron Aircrew Egress Flight bring the kit to the jet and carefully swap the summer kit with the arctic kit. While doing this, Egress also inspects the seat for discrepancies to ensure the pilot will be safe if they eject.

“We are starting from the ground up, setting up systems and learning as we go,” said Staff Sgt. Victor Benitez, a 354th MXS Aircrew Egress specialist. “There’s a lot of components and sometimes it can take a long time to put just one bolt in, but it has to be done so that everything works 100 percent of the time.”

The new arctic seat kits will be installed on all of Eielson’s F-35A fleet and could potentially be used by some partner nations who have F-35s in similar climates.

“Hopefully they never have to use these items but I take a lot of pride in my work, which could potentially save a pilot’s life,” Dugger said.

By Senior Airman Beaux Hebert, 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SERE | 16 Comments »

Exotac toolROLL

Sunday, October 18th, 2020

The Exotac toolROLL is an excellent choice to store and carry basic FieldCraft items like fire starters.

Once I rolled, it features a flap with five mesh pockets. Under that are five additional elastic slip pockets.

Blaze Orange so you won’t lose it when you need it most.

www.exotac.com/products/toolroll

Posted in Gadgets, Load Carrying, SERE, TacCraft | 1 Comment »

Wndsn Announces North American Distribution with Stately Asset Protection

Thursday, September 3rd, 2020

German company Wndsn has announced that Stately Asset Protection will offer their High-Viz White Quadrant Telemeter, MIL/MOA Range Calculator and Telemeter Dog Tag. All products are about to be shipped and are due stateside by mid to late September.

Posted in Industry, SERE | Comments Off on Wndsn Announces North American Distribution with Stately Asset Protection

Leatherman x Tonquin Trading Emergency Kits

Thursday, September 3rd, 2020

Leatherman Tools has partnered with Tonquin Trading to introduce three distinct emergency kits. The core of each of these kits is a Leatherman tool with select contents packed in a color-coded, zippered nylon bag, with room for a little more to customize your kit.

Raptor Trauma Kit

In addition to the Leatherman Raptor folding scissors, there’s a SAM XT Tourniquet, nitrile gloves, chest seal, 6” gauze roll, Chitosam 3” x 4’, marker, and cloth tape.

Signal Survival Kit

The survival kit is built around Leatherman’s flagship model, the Signal which is packed with 19 tools. The help keep you alive, there’s also a survival blanket, hand warmer, poncho, pull fire, face mask, toiletries (pocket tissue), light stick, signal mirror, matches, Paracord 50′, and Sawyer Mini water filter.

Wave Plus Repair Kit

In addition to the 18 tool Wave Plus, the kit includes: Duct Tape (2 in x 10 yd), waterproof matches, electrical tape, safety pins (1 3/4″), zip ties 24″ (x2), shop rag, Paracord 50′, thermoplastic repair tape, gear patches, superglue, nylon repair thread and needle set, and 19 gauge wire.

Here, Tonquin Trading founder Jason Johnson, gives you an overview.