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Whiskey 5 – Kryptek

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

WHO
Kryptek Outdoor Group…A.K.A. “Kryptek, Kryptek Apparel, Kryptek Camo Technologies, Kryptek L.E.A.F, and Kryptek Adventures”…These are more of focus areas then they are stand alone entities. There are actually two legal entities within the Kryptek family of focuses; Kryptek L.E.A.F., and Kryptek Outdoor Group.

WHAT
Kryptek products are born from battlefield knowledge, focusing on what works in combat and honing it for other outdoor adventure use. Founded by a highly-decorated and vastly experienced group of men with first-hand knowledge of everything from air, land and sea combat to high tech camouflage development, Kryptek translates their military experience into product features to meet the needs of soldiers, first responders, civilian hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Kryptek Outdoor Group manufactures high-end hunting clothing; designs specialized products for law enforcement and armed forces; and develops high tech camouflage patterns. Its products designed for extreme conditions and seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible. More than just clothing, the company integrates tactical gear concepts and evolves this technology into technical outdoor adventure/hunting apparel and other top-of-the-line clothing that is comfortable, functional and durable.

Bringing “Battlefield to Backcountry” Kryptek looks to outdo expectations and deliver serious hunters and outdoorsmen with superior products modeled after what is used by our nation’s elite. In order to achieve this Kryptek counts on its pro-staff, a cadre of men involved in special ops to help test and give feedback and help create the most functional gear on the planet.

Kryptek’s Law Enforcement and Armed Forces (L.E.A.F.) subsidiary is driven to do what no other company does – provide customized, performance-based apparel that is specific and unique. It is focused on serving law enforcement, armed forces, first responders, homeland defense and other government agencies. Preconceived notions of what customers want do not drive the company. Instead, Kryptek is dedicated to creating preeminent apparel based on field-input and customer feedback. This group depends on their gear, period. Kryptek understands this and joins with its customers to design and manufacture apparel that will work for them.

Kryptek also creates technologically advanced camouflage patterns. The goal is simple: enhance survivability and mission success. Users are consistently looking for more effective camouflage for these two reasons. Using field knowledge and advanced technology, Kryptek creates anything but generic patterns. The company utilizes the teams’ nearly decade worth of experience designing the leading hunting camouflage patterns in the industry and combines it with battlefield experience and the foremost innovative scientific techniques available in order to generate the most effective patterns possible.

WHEN
Kryptek products are currently carried exclusively by Cabela’s as well as their online store. They have several new camouflage patterns they will be releasing in the days to come that are simply cutting edge, and extremely effective on the battlefield, and in the backcountry.

WHERE
Kryptek is based out of Fairbanks Alaska, with key personnel throughout the U.S., as well as a vast group of Pro staff that are serving in various parts of the world.

WHY
Tactical application has enormous cross over into the outdoor adventure world, and vice verse. Many U.S. operators use high end mountaineering apparel and gear. In light of recent world events, the employment of Conventional, Special Operations Forces and other Government Agencies focused on protecting our freedom by fighting and winning our nations battles has been at an all time high. From battlefield experience, new technologies, equipment, and apparel have emerged. The concept of the Kryptek Outdoor Group also emerged on the battlefield, through actual combat experience. The idea of tailoring specifically to our Nations clandestine warriors, and spiraling this kit and garb into the hunting and outdoor adventure markets was birthed by a clandestine warrior, executing covert operations, in combat.

The concept of Kryptek is one driven by passion. Seeing a need and niche in the market, a window of opportunity, and an overwhelming desire to do what no other company has done; provide customized, performance based apparel that is specific and unique, that meets or exceeds the expectations of the user, and consistently obtains the desired results. Kryptek is not driven by a preconceived notion of what the customer should want. Through experimentation and customer feedback, we will incorporate product features that meet the customer’s wants for functionality, durability, appeal and overall results.

The Kryptek Outdoor Group concept allows for the founders to fuse their combat experience and connection to the military with their love for the outdoors. By using the U.S. Military Special Operation Forces market as a focus group for research and development, the image of these warriors becomes woven into the fabric of the Kryptek brand. It becomes inherent to the image of the organization, and as these items are offered to the civilian hunter and outdoor adventure seeker, not only will the civilian customer be using s superior product, but one that is being used by our Nation’s elite.

“We come from a background where performance matters and results are expected,” said CEO Butch Whiting, an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and received two Bronze Stars among other recognitions. “The same principals of aiming for accomplishment and victory, of no compromises, of leaving nothing to chance, especially your gear – these all apply not only to tactical communities, but to hunting and outdoor adventure seekers as well, which is why we are fusing battlefield and backcountry experience to develop ultra high end apparel that has application and function in both arena’s.”

www.Kryptek.com

Whiskey 5 – Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Who
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp.

What
A world leader in CCD (Camouflage, Concealment and Deception); Over two million military uniforms now use Hyperstealth patterns. While specializing in camouflage patterns for Individual Soldiers the company has also worked on CCD solutions for Military Ground Equipment, Aircraft, UAVs (Drones), Structures, Ships and Submarines.

Guy Cramer, President/CEO developed the KA2 digital camouflage in 2003 for the Kingdom of Jordan, under the direct commission of King Abdullah II. The country of Jordan has produced over 800,000 uniforms in this pattern and painted the pattern on over 3000 of their military vehicles.

In 2004 Cramer teamed with Lt. Col. Timothy R. O’Neill, Ph.D. (U.S. Army, Ret.), considered the world expert on camouflage, to develop the USMC Overwhite (snow camouflage) and the new Afghanistan National Army uniform camouflage, through the U.S. Government (1.1 million uniforms).

Cramer/O’Neill have worked together on CCD programs for over 40 countries and with W.L. Gore (Gore-Tex) on new science based hunting patterns under the “Optifade” line. Cramer/O’Neill collaborate on most projects, excluding those presenting a conflict of interest.

In March 2010, Hyperstealth completed the CUEPAT (Canadian Urban Environment Pattern) development for the Canadian Forces: Defenece Research and Development Canada (DRDC). Two of these Hyperstealth patterns are currently being field trialed.

They have over 10,000 camouflage patterns under international copyright. Cramer is now the top camouflage pattern designer in the world.

Where
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp. was established in 1999 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. Hyperstealth Biotechnology Inc. was also established in 1999 and is located in Boulder, Colorado.

When
Unlike most of their competitors who began in commercial production, Hyperstealth started developing camouflage in 2003 for the military side and this still remains 95% of their core business; up to this point the company has had little reason to market their patterns to the general public or provide staged photos of their patterns in backgrounds which complement the pattern.

Using proprietary fractal algorithms (natural feedback loop patterns) Cramer was the first to successfully merge fractals into camouflage making the target harder to acquire than without the fractals. From 2003-Present Cramer has developed over 13 separate unique algorithms (fractals being only 1 of the 13) to optimize camouflage to disrupt the target shape while also blending the target into the background.

Hyperstealth has worked with all four branches of the U.S. Military and with various components of the Special Operations community. When lives depend on the effectiveness of your product, you need to give 110% to understanding what works and what doesn’t work. Hyperstealth is the only company which can set up objective testing (endorsed by the U.S. Government) of camouflage patterns and thus are aware of what works down to the millisecond and what fails to work. For reasons of security they do not share these results outside of the U.S. or Canadian governments.

Cramer corresponded on a number of programs at the request of Senator John Warner’s office, while he was chairman of the Armed Services Committee. A number of Cramer’s scenarios made it all the way to the President’s Science and Technology Adviser at The White House.

Due to the security surrounding much of what Hyperstealth does, most of it is not disclosed, or is delayed for public disclosure for many years. So while you may think you’re seeing the newest pattern from Hyperstealth at a tradeshow or on their web site, odds are, it’s already 4-5 years old.

What Else
In 2010 Hyperstealth announced “Smartcamo”; an intelligent textile which changes its color to match the background of the wearer in almost all environments. Further application of Smartcamo onto ground vehicles is expected to precede any wide scale uniform program as power and processors are one limiting factor for the individual soldier application.

In 2011 Cramer announced “Quantum Stealth” (Light Bending material) non-powered adaptive camouflage which portrays what is behind the user in-front of the user bending the light around the target. The cost is inexpensive, very lightweight and there are no power requirements. This technology was recently shown and sampled with a number of experts for the U.S. Military to verify the abilities of the material.

GHOSTEX
Hyperstealth and ADS Inc. initiated Ghostex last year, using new rapid production machinery; Hyperstealth can print any pattern to MilSpec fabric with inks that work in the NIR then send the material to ADS where they assemble 1 – 50+ uniforms in any of these new Ghostex patterns and colors with reasonable turnaround time.

Hyperstealth has been refining the system for short run production for field trial uniforms for countries military soldier upgrade programs. Current the company estimates they are printing 400 yards per month on these machines for Special Forces and country uniform programs.

For 2012 Cramer says there is a new technology he is working on which should be another leap forward in personal concealment with a material which can change colors allowing the user to dial in the closest colors by manually shifting through the camouflage color spectrum to match the background and/or time of day. More details to follow shortly.

In October 2011 HyperStealth signed a series of exclusive camouflage pattern licenses for SOPAT (Special Operations Pattern), SpecAm and CAMOPAT patterns and also the Passive Negative Ion Generator to Elba-Onyx Enterprises (an affiliate of The Onyx Group) with exclusive licenses for NATO, the European Union and non-exclusive licenses outside of these territories.

Hyperstealth also recently announced that the company has retained the services of The 132 Group as Advisers and Consultants. The 132 Group provide programmatic, equipment specific, and Business Development services to companies desiring to develop or increase their technologies or ability to provide their specific goods and services to the Government.

Bill Jarvis, the principle of The 132 Group, has accompanied Cramer on a number of briefings to different U.S. Special Forces Commands, British Military,and the Royal Navy earlier this year and is one of only a few people to see the actual SMARTCAMO (color changing) and also the Quantum Stealth (Light Bending) materials.

Just in the last few months, Hyperstealth has been featured in the “Atlantic” magazine, The Globe and Mail (Canada’s National Newspaper), Business in Vancouver, the Financial Times in London, Military Times, CNN and a live interview on the NPR (National Public Radio).

With Hyperstealth patterns being used in some upcoming large feature films, scientific documentaries and other large commercial companies upcoming pattern releases you may think you’re about to see it all, but it’s what the company can’t show you which really sets it above and beyond all others.

HyperStealth is referenced in the NATO Programme for Security through Science.

www.hyperstealth.com

Whiskey 5 – MASTER PROVEN

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

WHO
Master Proven is a group of evaluation teams, each comprised of 2-4 evaluators, with a team lead who has earned the Master rank in his or her respective career field, branch of service or tactical assignment. Collectively, the Master Team Leads have over 150 years of real world tactical experience. Evaluation team members are drawn from across a broad spectrum of military, law enforcement and other tactical professionals. They are all current or former: Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Police Officers, Medics and Sheriff’s Deputies. In many cases they are both, and include a wide array of disciplines (Special Operations/SWAT, EOD, Scouts and Snipers, Patrol, Search & Rescue, Detectives, etc.).

WHAT
Master Proven is an independent, 3rd party testing and evaluation organization. Pieces of individual equipment and tactical kit undergo rigorous and thorough testing in an effort to see how well the gear in question holds up to use and abuse. Anyone wishing to see a hard copy of an individual item’s evaluation results should contact MASTER PROVEN. All products that pass will be given a PASS ID number and permission granted to use the MASTER PROVEN logo.
WHEN: As needed, in an ongoing process. Equipment manufacturers submit a three (3) or more of each item to be tested. There will be a register and a number for each item evaluated and the names of the evaluators involved. Those items that successfully pass the review process will be posted on line. Items that do not pass evaluation will have that AAR returned to the manufacturer with a thorough review and suggestions as to how that particular item could be improved or brought up to par.

WHERE
CONUS and OCONUS location. Evaluators test and evaluate equipment wherever they currently work or serve. That may be on a range at Camp Lejeune, outside a workshop in Alaska or on the streets of a Midwestern police department. In most cases, evaluation will occur in 2 or more different locales.

WHY
The end goal is simple; to determine what works, how it holds up to punishment and whether the price is objectively reasonable in the context of purpose, construction and performance. This is simply to provide end users with confidence that the items in question are worth spending their money on.

www.masterproven.com

Whiskey 5 – Remote Medical International

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Who
Remote Medical International

What
RMI is a medical and rescue company focused on individuals and organizations working or playing where a hospital is not an option. RMI provides training, equipment, staffing, telemedicine, and a pharmacy for those operating in these difficult areas.

Training: RMI is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, Wilderness Medical Society, and Veteran’s Administration. Depending on the course, our training topics include remote area medicine and rescue, rope access and rescue, armored vehicle extrication, and offshore medicine. RMI holds a variety of public courses ranging from our introductory Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course, Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) course for aspiring medical professionals and offshore medics, to our Remote Medicine for the Advanced Provider (RMAP) course for advanced medical providers such as nurses and physicians. Private courses are also available upon request and instructor availability. Training provided to Federal agencies is offered under our GSA Schedule GS-02F-0091T.

Equipment & Supply: RMI is an authorized distributor for over 150 manufacturers, an FDA licensed pharmacy, is capable of shipping worldwide, and provides e-commerce access with contract pricing. RMI’s equipment and supply division works with land-based, maritime, and aviation clients to determine the most appropriate equipment for their diverse operating environments. RMI kits everything from Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK), complete clinics operating on 240V, to ruggedized diesel ambulances built for the extremes of Antarctica. If it involves medicine and rescue, RMI can source it for your unique operating environment. For Federal agencies, RMI holds two GSA schedules for equipment: V797P-4982a and GS-07F-0280U.

Staffing: RMI employs a full onsite medical support staff for deployment to austere areas. Available for short or long term projects, RMI provides Wilderness EMTs, EMT-Intermediates, EMT-Paramedics, physician assistants, and physicians. Current and past projects and clients include Arctic research, offshore seismic research, the U.S. Department of Defense, natural disasters, and anthropological expeditions

Telemedicine: RMI ACCESSâ„¢ is a 24/7/365 telephone and data service that immediately connects clients to case managers and emergency physicians experienced in remote care. In addition to emergency case management, ACCESSâ„¢ provides clients with worldwide physician, clinic, and hospital referrals.

Whether you want the whole package or to shop a-la-carte, RMI staff will work with you to determine the most appropriate medical package for your project or mission.

Where
RMI is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and currently provides services on six continents and five major oceans. Training courses are held in the Cascade Mountains between Seattle and the Canadian border. RMI’s distribution center is in Seattle with satellite sites in the continental United States, Great Britain, and Dubai.

When
RMI was founded in 2003 by paramedic Andrew Cull. After serving throughout the Northwest as a paramedic, he believed there could be drastic improvements in the area of wilderness medical education. Andrew began a training company and it slowly grew into a turnkey asset for individuals and companies working in difficult areas. Over the years, Andrew made it a company policy to hire experts in the industries RMI serves. From expedition climbers to special operations medics to health and safety experts, RMI employs individuals that understand your mission.

Why
RMI understands that medicine is all that we do and not all that you do. When a mission goes well, it’s “high-fives” and beers. When a mission goes bad, it goes really bad. Whether it’s equipment, training, or staffing, RMI is committed to preparing you for the worst

Whiskey 5 – Scott-Donelan Tracking School

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

WHO
The Scott-Donelan Tracking School (SDTS) is the world leader in modern combat tracking (visual man-tracking) instruction and application. The SDTS was founded by David Scott-Donelan, the originator of modern combat tracking. He brought it to the United States in 1994 when at the behest of local corrections personnel and law enforcement he founded TTOS (his first tracking company, which he left in 2009). Those programs were rejuvenated, revised, and updated tracking instruction methods and operational lessons learned in Rhodesian, modern Namibia and other AORs. DSD has over 45 years professional experience in both tracking operations and tracking training. He has literally taught specialized and conventional military and law enforcement units around the world. Founded in January 2010, TSDTS is the official Subject Matter Experts for Combat Tracking for the US Marine Corps, and the tracking expertise behind the nationally recognized BORDER HUNTER project. TSDTS has an excellent cadre of professional, passionate instructors from military and/or law enforcement backgrounds and its founder still regularly goes into the field to instruct. The top six (6) instructors themselves have over one hundred and eighty (180) years of cumulative tracking experience. Unlike some instructional entities who employ instructors based largely on limited internal train-the-trainer courses, all SDTS personnel are vetted trackers with operational experience. Scott-Donelan established the Combat Tracking Course at Ft. Huachuca and oversaw its operation for five (5) years; that program, originating from his original course standards, is now the standard for the entire United States Army.

WHAT
The Scott-Donelan Tracking School is committed to providing the finest, professional tracking instruction to our clients. Our modern Combat- and Tactical- Tracking Courses are designed to specifically address the needs and operational requirements of our clients, whether they are military, law enforcement, search and rescue, or general outdoor enthusiasts. Combat and Tactical Tracking Courses are instructed in five (5) day or 50 hour stages, and can include Levels I, II, and III. Less field-oriented courses, for urban, joint canine or investigative efforts are also available for departments and personnel needing a focus more on evidence recovery and scene analysis. Additionally, we offer a three (3) day Basic Tracking Course, which covers the essential elements of tracking and is geared toward the community at large, regardless of roles/missions/duties.

WHEN
Our courses can be scheduled year round, depending on weather conditions and patterns at the requesting agency’s location. You can find a schedule for our ‘home base’, Arizona classes by visiting www.TrackingOperations.com. Our schedule continually evolves; please watch the course calendar, visit us on Facebook or contact the company directly- info@TrackingOperations.com. Class planning is intentionally flexible and determined by the request and needs of our clients. Mobile Training Teams can be organized and sent to requesting departments or units on short notice.

WHERE
The SDTS offers training anywhere it is required in the United States or abroad. We have by necessity become adept at utilizing limited local training resources and ground to achieve instructional objectives.

WHY
The Scott-Donelan Tracking School understands the value of modern tracking as it relates to the broad spectrum of military and police operations. Tracking is an excellent skill that builds both situational awareness and tactical acuity. It is a proven force multiplier on the battlefield and a demonstrated, time-proven asset to LE investigative and prosecution efforts. We are committed to America’s forces, its Allies, and our nation’s first responders. It is our sincere dedication to “focus on making a difference, not a dollar.” Tracking is not a lost art, but rather an underutilized modern science. Let us show you how. Together we can make a difference.

Whiskey 5 – FirstSpear

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Who
FirstSpear develops, designs and manufactures tactical equipment that directly increases the lethality and survivability of the modern day U.S. warfighter. FirstSpear’s products are developed with direct input from the end user, taking into account specific mission needs. The end result is innovative, capability-driven products that precisely meet the wants of the user.

What
FirstSpear is dedicated is the rapid design and delivery of innovative personal protective equipment and enhanced lightweight load carriage solutions to U.S. and allied warfighters, and professional users. FirstSpear’s emphasis is on meeting the very unique and ever-evolving mission needs of each warfighter, and to this end maintains very open dialogues with end users to ensure excellence in product functionality. The company’s equipment is built to government specific requirements to achieve the best combination of weight and durability.

Where
FirstSpear is headquartered in Fenton, Missouri. The company conducts significant work on research and development, and these efforts, as well as prototyping and substantial manufacturing work, are conducted out of Missouri. In keeping with FirstSpear’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and ensuring that the technologies used by our soldiers and professional users remain here in the United States, the company provides fully Berry Amendment compliant products to the US Military.

When
FirstSpear was founded in 2010 by a team of experienced industry professionals and former U.S. servicemen with over 30 years of experience in the load carriage field. Members of FirstSpear’s team have successfully designed, developed, and fielded some of the world’s most significant load-carriage systems currently in use by the U.S. Department of Defense. FirstSpear unveiled their full suite of 60 products in July of 2011 and has been filling orders since the company’s inception in late 2010.

Why
FirstSpear’s core mission, the one that really matters, is to support the men and women who risk their lives for our country and our freedoms. The FirstSpear team is working every day to make equipment that is lighter, with increased functionality and durability to broaden warfighter capabilities. The company strives to continually raise the bar in equipment excellence and will continue on this path of innovation for years to come. FirstSpear is honored and privileged to support the modern day warfighters’ missions, and thanks them for their loyalty.

www.first-spear.com

Whiskey 5 – 215 Gear

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

Who
At 215 Gear, we take great pride in catering to the top tier Military and Federal Law Enforcement Units. Since 2007, we have the honor to design and purpose built equipment, as tough as the men wearing it.

What
215 Gear produces high quality kit, specifically designed for Special Operations use.

Where
The 215 Gear manufacturing and distribution headquarters are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

When
215 Gear was formed in the beginning of 2007. Our first legacy products hit stores in October 2007. Since then we have focused on providing our gear to America’s elite.

Why
215 Gear was founded by a Special Operations member, with numerous tours to multiple AO’s. Tired of poorly designed kit failing when it was needed most, 215 Gear was born. At 215 Gear, you will see products and ideas with innovation and design unparalleled in the industry. Most, if not all, of our products have been fielded by Special Operations personnel before you see it on the shelves. Our products are designed around current mission requirements, using firsthand knowledge of the task that gear was designed for. Many of our competitors use designers that have never served, let alone done the kind of jobs expected by today’s Operator. This gives our products a unique design perspective, because they are truly

For the Operator, by the Operator

215 Gear searches out the latest hardware and finest materials, combined with out of the box thinking, providing products that are lighter, stronger and faster than anything currently on the market.

By purchasing a product from 215 Gear, you can rest assured that product has passed the ultimate test, combat. If a product is on our shelves, we are saying it has been tested and is good to go. Item for item, we cannot price compete with companies who outsource everything overseas from their product packaging, to the gear in the bag. What we can do is source the best materials made, combine that with real world experience and produce a superior product. Made in America, for the Americans defending our way of life.

www.215gear.com

Whiskey 5 – Panteao Productions

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Who
Panteao Productions was founded by Fernando Coelho. Fernando was the founder of EOTAC, the tactical clothing company under the Freedom Group. Prior to that he developed the Woolrich Elite Series line of tactical clothing and founded Triton Cartridge, an ammunition company in NY. Rick Bravo is the VP of Panteao and Director of Photography. Rick also works for the Miami Dade PD. Prior to that Rick worked in the motion picture and television industry, including as a camera man on the television series Miami Vice.

What
Panteao produces instructional videos covering tactical training, competitive shooting, armorer’s training, and home defense. Additional areas are coming including precision shooting, dog handling, ammunition selection, documentaries, and more. These videos are available in either DVD format or as streaming video from the Panteao website. The streaming video is available via either a monthly or yearly subscription, in Standard or High-Definition.

Where
The Panteao headquarters is based out of Columbia, SC. The production crew are based out of Miami, FL.

When
Panteao was formed at the end of 2009. Video production commenced in July of 2010 and has continued ever since. As of September 1, 2011 we have fourteen video titles live on our site and on DVD with four more in post-production.

Why
Our goal is to provide a destination where you can receive the best training from the best instructors in their given areas of expertise. This ties back to the meaning of our name. Panteao is Portuguese for Pantheon, which means “a group of persons most highly regarded for contributions to a field or endeavor”. Our approach to the video content is a no nonsense, straight forward one-on-one training between the instructor and the viewer. It’s important to us that end users can absorb the information we are providing without any distractions. With more instructors being added and more titles coming from each existing instructor, we plan on growing the Make Ready series of instructional videos each month over the coming years.

www.panteaoproductions.com