“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

— Robert Heinlein
“Time Enough for Love”

My friend Tom Blakey, aka @prepared_pathfinder has shared some photos of the new Loop Line he received from TRC Outdoors. TRC Outdoors refers to theirs as a Jungle Loop Line but we just called it a Loop Line. I hadn’t seen one of these in years, it’s great that someone is still making them. When I was in the Army in the late 80s and early 90s a Loop Line was an essential bit of kit.

For some time, guys ran around with a 12′ hank of GI climbing rope to do some of the things you could do with a Loop Line. Before that the British Toggle Ropes were all the rage.

It’s a piece of 1” tubular nylon with a loop sewn at either end. Many were remanufactured from lowering lines. Although often, guys would just throw a length of tubular nylon in their butt pack and tie off loops at the end if needed. Oddly enough, Natick made a run of them in-house and I somehow got ahold of it and carried it on my kit until I went into the Air Force.

It could be used anytime you needed a line, either alone or in conjunction with other Loop Lines. You combined them by tying a girth hitch in the loops and could make a line as long as needed for something like a river crossing. This way, each member of a patrol could contribute to a longer line without burning one guy with a whole coil. It could also be used to make an individual rappelling Swiss seat and is more comfortable than using US GI rope. Other uses include lashing down tarps, securing poncho shelters, etc. A Loop Line is one of those multi-purpose items you get a lot of use of on a long patrol.

Here’s an older video by Prepared Pathfinder.

The TRC Outdoor model comes with a DMM Carabiner and a laser cut laminate, PALS compatible carrier, Tom’s is in Tigerstripe and I am jealous. The ones on offer come in either Multicamo or Ranger Green.

trcoutdoors.com/product/jungle-loop-line

Imminent Threat Solutions is proud to introduce the ITS Lock Pinning Mat. This ultimate workspace tool is purpose built for the locksport enthusiast and offers a dedicated space for disassembling and rebuilding your locks. Made from a durable rubber, each features an anti-slip bottom to ensure your mat and contents stay put.

The four sections of the ITS Lock Pinning Mat provide the opportunity to sort lock contents, as well as change and manipulate components. The Upright Cylinder Channel holds the ITS Modular Lock (available separately as an add-on item) perfectly in an upright configuration and offers enough room to store the ITS Reverse-Grip Pinning Tweezers (available separately as an add-on item.) The Shear Line Check Box features a slight ramp that assists in guiding pins down to the built-in shear line. The opening to the right of the ramp allows keys to lay flat, so pins can be properly lined up with each cut in the key.

The Parts Garage is an open section that’s available to store items you’re actively working on, like security pins you may be swapping in, or small tools you may be using. Lastly, the Pin Stack Columns feature 28 individual Storage Cubbies to house the internal components of a lock separately (Cap, Spring, Driver Pin and Key Pin) so they don’t get mixed up. The columns can accommodate up to 7 full pin-stacks.

Imminent Threat Solutions provides indispensable skill-sets and products to explore your world and prevail against all threats.

For more information on ITS Security products, please visit store.itstactical.com/collections/security.

The Jerome fire department is seeking teams to compete in their Rope Rescue Competition, November 4-5 2022 in Jerome, Arizona. ?

Contact Dan via email at penyfan@me.com.