Available exclusively from Berlin’s TACWRK, the DNS Alpha 3-Layer Gore-Tex LE Jacket in 5-Color Flecktarn.
It features large chest pockets as well as upper arm pockets with loop surfaces and pen slots.
www.tacwrk.com/en/p/dns-alpha-gore-tex-3l-le-jacket-5-farb-flecktarn
POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, North Carolina —
Women’s History Month is in March and there is nobody reflective of being a role model for other women than U.S. Air Force Capt. Ricki Sidorov.
First impressions aren’t always accurate, but when meeting her, there is a bubbly, positive, go-getter attitude who can, and will, get things done. Hardly what you’d expect from someone who nearly lost her life in a skydiving accident in less than two years ago. In this case, though, what you see is what you get.
The San Bernardino, California, native is the Special Warfare Mission Support flight commander for the 818th Operations Support Squadron, primarily responsible for, well, pretty much everything: projects, building maintenance, combat arms, supply, and vehicle maintenance, just to name a few. She also leads 11 Airmen, one civilian, and four contractors.
Prior to joining the Air Force, Sidorov spent six years in the U.S. Army in expeditionary communications. After returning from a deployment in Afghanistan, she decided to leave the military and devote time to working towards a college degree. In typical fashion, she not only earned a bachelor’s degree, but kept going for a master’s.
It was then that she realized how much she missed serving her country and opted to join the Air Force. Sidorov’s job isn’t much different from her position in the Army, but the Air Force has allowed her to have more unique assignments, such as serving in the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Qatar and the Expeditionary Communications Squadron.
She finds her job humbling and rewarding. “I work with many talented individuals who passionately serve their country, and I continually learn from them,” Sidorov said. That attitude keeps her going, as she plans to remain in the Air Force, traveling the world while continuing to learn and grow.
Someone with these traits isn’t just born with them. She has drawn most from U.S. Air Force Col. Michelle Carns. “She is the epitome of a strong and caring leader. While in Qatar, our team in the Combat Plans Division was a family. It didn’t matter that everyone was from different career fields or branches of service. We were united in our mission and every month we had a team night to relax, eat and highlight the member of the month. Magical things happen when you bring people and food together.”
Sidorov is always the planner. The doer. Constantly trying to learn from others and lead with professionalism and class. That was all paused – and almost stopped completely – during her 2020 skydiving malfunction. As one of her favorite hobbies, she had made over 50 successful jumps without incident and had just finished her Class B license course a few months before.
On this day, she experienced a high-speed parachute malfunction, falling between 70-90 mph – spinning so fast that she blacked out. At 900 feet, the automatic activation device was triggered, releasing her reserve parachute. Within seconds, her main canopy partially collapsed her reserve parachute. If there was a positive, besides the fact she survived, she landed in someone’s back yard with ground that had been freshly tilled and was the softest it had ever been.
She sustained two collapsed lungs, a fractured scapula, knee ligament tears, and internal swelling that required surgery while spending 11 days in the hospital. Not surprisingly, she returned to work just a month after being released from the hospital.
While most would swear off skydiving after that, Sidorov was back at it six months later. “We all face challenges in life,” she said. “You can’t prevent it, but you can have a positive mindset as you overcome those challenges. It doesn’t matter how hard you fall, as long as you get up and keep going.”
There isn’t a better example of that than Capt. Ricki Sidorov.
By Lori Dean
During IWA Helikon-Tex displayed their new products on mannequins arrayed around their stand. Each day we will showcase a different one and detail the gear.
For Day 8 we’ve got a display jam packed with Helikon-Tex goods.
Tactical Trucker Cap
SFU Next Pants Mk2
Competition Multigun Rig
Competition Triple Carbine Insert
Competition Utility Pouch
Competition Double Pistol Insert
Competition Modular Belt Sleeve
Competition Rapid Pistol Pouch
Competition Rapid Carbine Pouch
Competition Dump Pouch
Competition Med Kit
Competition Pocket Pistol Insert
Competition Nautic Shooting Belt
Diving with a full-face mask is a great way to protect the face from the water. You may not want the water to touch you for various reasons. The most important reason is if you are in contaminated water or simply chilly, and no one likes cold water on the face. Most masks have a mouthpiece that allows the diver to breathe and speak while wearing the mask. This enables you to communicate while underwater. The direct connection of the full-face masks (FFMs) to the second stage regulator allows for this, rather than biting into the regulator mouthpiece.
Like just about everything, there are benefits and some drawbacks to diving with an FFM. While full-face masks come in various forms, many of them have a larger field of view than standard masks. This gives you a better peripheral for keeping track of your swim/ dive buddy and allows you to view more of the environment during your dive. There is less chance of the mask fogging with the air coming in. There is less chance of you losing your mask from, say, someone was kicking it off in a confined space.
Most FFM can be equipped with a built-in microphone, allowing divers to communicate with one another and the surface. For this reason, professional divers have been using them for years.
The integrated regulator is one of the most considerable positives and can be one of the biggest negatives of diving with an FFM. Because the regulator is built into your mask, it’s less likely to be pulled out of the diver’s mouth.
If your mask comes off abruptly, the regulator comes off with it, making mask retrieval something that could freak some people out if not practiced a lot. The mask is kept from traveling too far by hoses attached to the regulator, but if a diver panics after losing both his mask and regulator, it can cause an emergency. This is why anyone interested in diving an FFM should take a course on using it. One of the main drills in this training is mask removal and replacement and switching to your backup regulator.
If you decide to attempt diving with an FFM, make sure you practice your basic skills, like mask cleaning and retrieval, so that you can switch back and forth.
The diver’s whole face is protected from the water by the FFM. The mask also has a mouthpiece that allows the diver to speak and breathe normally while wearing it. Instead of biting into the regulator mouthpiece with your teeth, the FFM connects directly to the second stage regulator. As you might anticipate, breathing through an FFM is more pleasant than a regular mask and regulator.
Some of the disadvantages are compared to ordinary dive masks. FFMs are notably larger and heavier. Although straps can be tied around the head to prevent the mask from falling off and cutting off your air supply, they are theoretically easier to use. The seals that encircle the entire face are also airtight, lowering the risk of water seeping during a dive. Some people have a more challenging time equalizing when using an FFM. FFM has levers around the nose or a cushioned pocket that allows you to pinch your nose to equalize pressure like you would with a standard mask. There are depth limitations for FFM, so make sure the one you are using/buying can meet what you would like it to do. This could be a pro or a con, you can’t use all FFM on rebreathers only some of them are certified for that use. The Interspiro is used worldwide by the military on rebreathers as is the Dräger FFM.
The biggest advantage is that the mask’s airtightness permits communication devices. This allows the diver to talk to each other and the surface with the right communications set up.
Due to the additional materials required in their manufacture, FFM can be more expensive than half-mask models, making it much more important to know what you’re getting when you buy one.
There are two main types of FFM. One that comes with a regulator like the Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) Guardian, and you add your regulator to, like the SCUBAPRO FFM and the OTS Spectrum.
So how do you choose the right FFM to use? If you are in the military or on a Public Safety Dive team, you will have the mask selected for you. The two most popular groups are the OTS Guardian and the Interspiro AGA. Consider what kind of diving you’ll be undertaking with the mask before starting your search for full-face scuba masks online or in stores.
For easy cold-water diving, all you need is some minimal protection from the water splashing on your face. Full-face dive masks with communications functions, such as those used for underwater weddings, are available if you want to communicate underwater. There are basic underwater transceiver units and more advanced communication systems available.
Look for brands that have received a lot of positive feedback.
Skimping on quality is never a wise idea when choosing equipment that could save your life. Rather than a third-party copycat brand that has never been formally tested for product efficiency, it’s best to invest in a product that has been developed through time and is also guaranteed to last years of use.
Fortunately, today’s market has a lot of great brands producing high-quality full-face diving masks. A few of the brands available include SCUBAPRO, Ocean Technology Systems (OTS), Interspiro, and Ocean Reef.
The sizes of masks are not standard. As a result, you must try them on to make sure they’re comfortable. Make sure when you try it on that you also try it on while wearing a hood, move your head like you would if you were underwater. Also, check to make sure you can clear your ears. Do this by gently pushing upwards on the chin; you may also verify the mask’s snugness. There are different size nose pieces, so make sure you have one in there that fits your nose. Most public safety dive team dive in very low visibility water. A FFM used together with a SCUBAPRO Heads Up Dive Computer are truly one of the best combinations in diving in any situation. It gives you the ability to see your gauges no matter what the visibility. Just about alll the masks shown have a SCUBAPRO HUD on them.
Before you buy an FFM, you should take a class. Honestly, if you have been diving for a while, you will have no problem with this, but there is a class for everything in today’s world, and if you learn one thing, it is worth taking.
Overall, the FFM is a great tool to have in your toolbox.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – March 17, 2022 – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, along with RCBS and Hoppe’s, is celebrating pro shooter Melissa Gilliland’s strong finish at the 2022 Accuracy International Long Range Classic. At this year’s PRS match, Gilliland was named the Top Lady and placed 4th overall at the annual competition held at Altus Shooting Solutions in Baker, Florida.
Pushing through a challenging course of fire, cold temperatures and high winds, Gilliland’s performance kept her among the top scores throughout the two-day match. During this year’s competition, Gilliland used the new Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR3 scope with G4P reticle. She also relied on RCBS reloading equipment and Hoppe’s cleaning products to give her the best possible chance of success.
“Even with the high winds and frigid temperatures, this year’s match was an absolute blast,” said Gilliland. “I was beyond excited to walk away with a 4th place overall finish and the Top Lady award against a talented field of competitors. My gear ran great from start to finish and the new Elite Tactical DMR3 continues to impress with its outstanding glass clarity and generous eyebox. Hats off to all the competitors, ROs and match staff. I can’t wait to be back next year.”
The new Elite Tactical DMR3 riflescope builds upon a proven platform with an all-new floating dot reticle, multi-position Throwhammer™ magnification lever, a 25-yard parallax and bold turret markings. The 3.5-21x50mm riflescope is standard with ED Prime glass, fully multicoated elements and Bushnell’s superior EXO Barrier™ protection.
To learn more about the Elite Tactical DMR3 riflescope, check out Bushnell.com.
The 505th Test and Training Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida, provided critical command and control expertise during the 23rd Wing’s execution of their Lead Wing exercise, Ready Tiger 22-01 at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Feb. 28 to March 4.
The 23rd WG conducted RT 22-01, an Agile Combat Employment LW exercise, in preparation for their upcoming, certification- exercise Agile Flag slated for later this summer.
In November 2021, the 705th Training Squadron team provided LW C2 academics to the 23rd WG A-Staff which established base-line procedures for interacting with operational C2. During RT 22-01, the 505th’s team evolved these procedures by providing a small scale Air Component replication for the 23rd WG.
“The goal of providing replication, in place of standard white-cell injects, was to give the Lead Wing the realism of having to communicate and coordinate directly with entities at the AOC [Air Operations Center] and AFFOR [Air Force Forces] staff,” said David Hetzler, 705th TRS, ACE LW C2 subject matter expert, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
The four-day, LW exercise focused on maturing the 23rd WG’s ability to employ Air Base Squadrons to generate airpower downrange and maintain C2 in contested environments.
“The 505th CCW provided outstanding support to exercise Ready Tiger and brought realism to the interaction between the Lead Wing and Air Component. This integration, the first during any wing-led ACE exercise, brought valuable lessons learned from both the 505th CCW and 23rd WG, and will ensure future ACE exercises are more realistic and successful,” said Maj. Paul Ochs, 41st Rescue Squadron RT deputy exercise director, Moody AFB, Georgia.
The future Agile Flag exercise will test the LW’s mission generation, C2, and base operations support elements to prepare warfighters from multiple installations and major commands for what they may encounter deployed while supporting the joint force air component commander.
“The 705th is using their subject matter expertise in creating tailored academics that prepare Lead Wings to integrate quickly with Air Components. Our academics provide a baseline that the Lead Wing can build upon while developing TTPs [tactics, techniques, and procedures] to integrate with an Air Component’s staffs,” said Lt. Col. Marcus Bryan, 705th TRS commander, Hurlburt Field, Florida. “Our participation in Ready Tiger keeps us current on ACE Lead Wing employment concepts which directly informs our upcoming Lead Wing academic courses.”
Bryan continued, “This was the first time that a Lead Wing exercise used a real-time AOC replication cell to simulate the ‘normal’ back and forth interaction between an AOC/AFFOR and the Lead Wing, greatly increasing training fidelity for the 23rd Wing. The experimental use of 505th TTG personnel sets the groundwork for using an operational C2 replication team during Agile Flag.”
“During Ready Tiger, I was able to replicate numerous, yet scaled functions such as the Chief of Combat Operations, Senior Offensive Duty Officer and Joint Personnel Recovery Center director directly with the 23rd WG’s WOC,” said Shawn Holsinger, 505th Training Squadron senior Combat Operations Division instructor, Hurlburt Field, Florida. “With extensive doctrinal knowledge and real-world experience on operational-level C2, our team is able to provide critical replication, similar to our AOC initial qualification training for 1500+ students per year.”
The 505th TRS is the USAF’s only AOC Formal Training Unit and trains geographic AOCs and functional OCs joint and coalition warfighters on C2 processes and systems used to employ air, space and cyber at the operational level of war.
In previous exercises, the Air Component was simulated however in RT 22-01 interactions between the 505th TTG replication team provided realistic interaction between the LW WOC and the Air Component.
“Our combined team of 705th Training Squadron and 505th Training Squadron C2 experts created an initial Air Component Replication Team for the Lead Wing exercise successfully providing operational C2 interaction within exercise Ready Tiger. The connection and growth of Wing Operations Centers within theater battle management constructs and with the Air Component staffs is a necessary evolution to the future success of integrating the Lead Wing construct into ACE concepts,” said Col. Adam Shelton, 505th Test and Training Group commander, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
By Deb Henley, 505th Command and Control Wing, Public Affairs
During IWA Helikon-Tex displayed their new products on mannequins arrayed around their stand. Each day we will showcase a different one and detail the gear.
Today is some more new gear for the ladies. A new as-yet-unnamed Women’s Shirt is paired with the Women’s Outback Tactical shorts and Tactical SnapBack Cap, both of which are also new.
he Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plate for GLOCK G19 (9mm) adds plus 5 9mm rounds to OEM double stack magazines and is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, this Extended Magazine Plate (EMP).
Included is an aluminum plate which adds extra locking security.
Package Contents:
– 1 Aluminum Extended Magazine Plate for GLOCK™ G19
– 1 Extended length spring
– 1 Aluminum locking plate
– 1 Aluminum locking plate set screw (M3x8mm)
– 1 Hex tool
– 1 Warning card
Within USPSA 140mm race division limit and offered in anodized SI Black, Red or FDE.
www.strikeindustries.com/si-emp-al-g19
