SOF Week Registration Is Open

Need a SCIF in a Jiff?

June 14th, 2021

These days it’s quite common to drop a pre-fabricated building, configured as a Secure Compartmented Information Facility into a deployed location, rather than setting up a tent which is vulnerable to a wide variety of hazards, both environmental and man-made.

ADS Inc offers multiple solutions including the Armag A.R.C. Vault (Armored, Rapid-deployment, Compartmented Vault), a custom manufactured, modular SCIF providing a significant level of TEMPEST, ballistic, and forced entry protection that meets or exceeds ICD 705 and SAPF requirements. The A.R.C. Vault is manufactured to customer size specification (from 200 sq ft, to 10,000 sq ft) from continuously welded 1/4″ steel and designed for rapid deployment, offering turn key, plug-and-play, and rapid integration.

To learn more about the various solutions offered by Atlantic Diving Supply, visit www.adsinc.com/news/the-importance-of-scif-rooms-in-the-military

Ferro Concepts – The DOPE Front Flap Coming June 16th

June 14th, 2021

Keep your eye out for Ferro Concept’s release of The D.O.P.E. (Diverse Operations Personal Equipment) Front Flap on June 16th at 1200 Mountain Time.

Based on their standard ADAPT Kangaroo Front flap, it is configured for “double stack” but you can remove the rigid thermoplastic internal divider. This simple feature allows the use of their Kangaroo Pocket – Large which converts the DOPE into a large, single cell general-purpose pouch.

Along with The DOPE Front Flap are five new Kangaroo Inserts: Half Pocket, Small Pocket, Large Pocket, Triple 556, and Triple 762.

Here are some examples:

Features:
• Compatible with all Ferro Concepts Plate carriers
• Compatible with all Ferro Concepts Chesty Rig platforms
• Removable rigid internal divider
• Integrated front vertical mount slots
• Ferro Concepts low-profile G-hook Attachment
• Front loop Velcro panel – 4”H x 6.25”W
• Berry Compliant

ferroconcepts.com

Air Force Coins Official Maintenance Duty Uniform, Adds Immediate Wear of Tactical OCP Caps

June 14th, 2021

Air Force commanders of units with aircraft maintenance, industrial and other labor intensive Air Force Specialty Codes will have the option to authorize wear of a standardized, maintenance duty uniform, also referred to as coveralls, which may be worn on a day-to-day basis upon publication of the updated AFI 36-2903 anticipated for August 2021.

The career fields authorized to wear the MDU are: 2A, 2F, 2G, 2M, 2P, 2S, 2T, 2W, 3E, 3D, 1P.

“The MDU idea was presented to the 101st uniform board in November 2020 as a way to help increase readiness and timeliness from the work center to the flight line,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “We are hoping this change will instill a sense of culture and inclusivity for our maintainers who work to keep the mission going 24/7.”

When authorized by commanders, the sage MDU will be unit funded and members will wear the basic configuration consisting of a nametape, service tapes and rank along with the higher headquarters patch on the left sleeve and a subdued U.S. flag and organizational patch on the right sleeve. The coyote brown t-shirt, OCP patrol or tactical cap, coyote brown or green socks, and coyote brown boots, are worn with the uniform. The MDU will not be utilized for office work environments, non-industrial or non-labor tasking, but is authorized for wear when transiting from home to duty location and all locations on installations. It must be worn in serviceable condition. Local coverall variants are still authorized but only in work centers and on the flight line.

Tactical OCP Cap

Additionally, immediate wear of some tactical OCP caps is authorized while the Air Force continues the acquisition process to complete this new uniform item. These are not yet available through AAFES.

Current tactical OCP caps may be worn if they are made entirely of OCP material or OCP material with a coyote brown mesh back. No other colors or combinations are authorized. The Velcro or sew-on spice brown name tape will be worn centered on the back of the caps. The only item authorized for wear on the front of the cap is rank for officers.

Officers will wear either pinned, sewn or Velcro spice brown rank insignia centered ½ inch on the front of the cap on an OCP background. Air Force first lieutenants and lieutenant colonels will wear black rank. Velcro on the hat should not exceed the size of the insignia. Chaplains may wear the chaplain occupational badge sewn-on and centered ½ inch above the visor.

Enlisted members will not wear rank insignia or a subdued flag on the cap, only a name tape on the back of the cap is authorized. The front of the cap must not have any Velcro or other items.

In addition, females are authorized to pull their bun or ponytail through the back of the tactical OCP cap.

Once the acquisition process is complete for the new uniform item, which is expected to take approximately a year, all other caps will be unauthorized.

At this time, Guardians will adhere to the uniform standards of the U.S. Air Force until the U.S. Space Force develops its own policy.

Note: Theater commanders prescribe the dress and personal appearance standards in the theater of operations.

Happy Birthday US Army

June 14th, 2021

The Army is the United States’ first national institution, serving since 1775. Here’s to another 246 years!

Video by SGT Ian Vega-Cerezo,
32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command

ChimeraXR Training

June 14th, 2021

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of being introduced to ChimeraXR, a Canadian company that is leading the way in Virtual Reality firearms training.

Helping armed professionals train anywhere, anytime
Founded by a Canadian Forces veteran, ChimeraXR’s system to train shooters is called Mythos which is an offshoot of the live fire and flatscreen simulator-based firearms training he conducted for many years.

Although ChimeraXR probably has a longer list than me, I see the advantages of such a system are myriad.

1. Cost – It’s much less expensive than screen-based firearms training systems. Additionally, you don’t expend any ammunition and you don’t need a dedicated sysadmin/trainer. Theres also no travel costs to training ranges and there’s no need to build up physical training locations to replicate real world targets; all of it can built and adjusted on-the-fly in VR.

2. Safety – You don’t expose trainees to live fire until they are ready. Shooters can also train collaboratively from different locations even during a pandemic.

3. Scalability – Currently, Chimera can connect up to 40 participants in a single environment and they don’t even have to be in the same location.

4. Mobility – The system can be set up in as little as two minutes, allowing you to train anywhere, anytime.

4. Feedback – Shooters get immediate feedback from multiple points of view (including adversary) on how they performed. The are working to collect additional data such as physiological information while under stress.

This is not just a firearms training system. Due to its immersive nature, and ability for multiple users to interact, it’s also a tactics training and mission rehearsal system.

While ChimeraXR’s Mythos system includes an AR-style lower receiver which accepts the user’s upper receiver and enablers, they are working to integrate milsim systems along with other firearms training weapons which may be in use. Considering there are milsim weapons which accurately replicate firearms including blowback and facilitate mandatory magazine changes and simulate stoppages, the training becomes even more realistic.

I spent about half an hour in the training environment and I am very impressed. I was able to move around and engage targets, easily reset scenarios, and watch how easy it is to build new environments on the fly via the toggle and drag and drop menu options. The environment is also ballistically accurate meaning that barriers will properly react to projectiles.

I also learned that it is safe, (as long as you remember that cars and obstacles within the virtual environment aren’t real and can’t support your weight). If you reach the limits of your real world environment such as an actual wall which doesn’t exist within VR, you transition from VR to the real world within your goggles and see the environment as it is.

With so few CQB shoothouses available, this brings training to the shooter’s location. What’s more, the technology can be utilized by armed citizens just as readily as military and law enforcement. With ammunition so scarce and expensive, ChimeraXR provides a realistic training alternative.

Finally, ChimeraXR is a training option for Centrifuge Training customers, with systems already in use in both the US and Canada.

National Museum of the US Army to Reopen on June 14

June 14th, 2021

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army announced today that the National Museum of the United States Army will reopen on June 14, the Army’s 246th birthday. The museum, which is located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, officially opened in November 2020, but was closed temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“June will be a month of celebration as we recognize Army Heritage Month, the Army’s birthday and the reopening of the Army museum,” said John Whitley, acting Secretary of the Army. “As the museum tells the history of our American Soldiers and honors their accomplishments and sacrifices, we will also reflect on their more recent service to our nation, including their contributions to COVID-19 and disaster-relief efforts, and the protection they provide us all.”

The Museum is the first comprehensive and truly national museum to capture, display and interpret the Army’s history by telling stories through the eyes of Soldiers. Its displays and interactive-learning exhibits illustrate the Army’s role in building and defending our nation, as well as Army humanitarian missions and technological and medical breakthroughs built on Army ingenuity.

In addition to the galleries and exhibits, the museum features a multisensory 300-degree theater, a tranquil rooftop garden and hundreds of historic treasures rarely or never-before-seen by the public.

Free, timed-entry tickets are now available through the museum’s website at www.theNMUSA.org. All tickets must be reserved in advance online, and there is a limit of five tickets per request.

The timed-entry tickets are part of the museum’s comprehensive plan, developed according to guidance from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Army’s Public Health Center, to protect the health of its visitors and staff.

For more information, including an interactive map, a list of exhibits, educational programs, a special events calendar and more, please visit www.theNMUSA.org.

By US Army Public Affairs

Team Federal’s Tim Herron Having Successful Season, Wins Major USPSA Match

June 13th, 2021

ANOKA, Minnesota – June 8, 2021 –  With shooting competitions for 2021 having gotten nearly back to normal after a year-long hiatus, Team Federal shooter Tim Herron has had a fantastic year so far in Single Stack division. He recently claimed a major win when he grabbed the top spot at the USPSA Northern Arizona Classic, held in Prescott, Arizona, with a lead of more than 17 percentage points.

“Tim is one of those shooters who has a legitimate chance to win any match he enters,” said Federal Shooting Sports Promotions Manager Jason Spradling. “The Northern Arizona Classic is a major USPSA match and always has a stacked field of competitors. To beat the rest of the shooters in his division by nearly 18 percent is a huge accomplishment. We’re proud to celebrate this win with Tim.”

“The stages at Northern Arizona Classic were spectacular with many options and multiple ways to execute your stage plans,” Herron said. “Shooting an 8-round 1911 on many of these courses of fire really challenged many in Single Stack division and we had to figure out how to efficiently shoot the stages.”

In Arizona, Herron was running a Nighthawk Custom 1911 loaded with 230-grain .45 ACP Federal American Eagle FMJ ammunition.

“In a major competition like this one, you can literally lose the match with just one gun malfunction,” Spradling said. “Your equipment, including your ammo, has to run without fail every time. Tim knows he can depend on Federal ammo to get the job done and we’re always honored to have such a fierce competitor showing the community how well our products perform.”

“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to Federal Ammunition for their continued support of my efforts, both in competition, and in my profession as a firearms instructor and educator,” Herron said. 

Earlier in the season, Herron took 10th place overall in Single Stack division at the 2021 USPSA LoCap Nationals in Talladega, Alabama. For that match, his pistol was loaded with 220-grain .45 ACP Federal American Eagle Syntech ammunition.

“Talladega was my first match of the season and I feel good about the finish I had. It was significant and also solidifies my place to compete in the ‘Super Squad’ again next year,” Herron said.

For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

SCUBAPRO Sunday – First Combat Swimmer Watch

June 13th, 2021

In 1860, Officine Panerai was founded in Florence, Italy. The business concentrated on precision instruments like compasses and other nautical equipment for the next sixty years. The Regia Marine, or Royal Italian Navy, came calling in the mid-1930s with a new contract request: a watch suitable for Italian frogmen’s underwater use—the elite Decima Flottiglia MAS Navy Divers. The Italian frogmen were highly skilled commandos specializing in underwater and seaborne attacks on Allied ships during World War II. Unfortunately, Panerai didn’t have a watchmaking facility, so they enlisted the help of a company that did: Rolex. Fortunately for them, Rolex had mastered the waterproof wristwatch with the legendary Rolex Oyster in the previous decade. Upsizing the Rolex Oyster to the wide 47mm case favored by Italian divers was a relatively easy task. The frogmen wanted an oversized watch with a large dial that could be read easily in any weather. Most men’s watches at the time were about 30-35mm in diameter, so a 47mm case was specifically designed for heavy military use rather than as a fashion statement. It was the epitome of “function over design.” They also made a large 60mm case that featured a unique rotating bezel with four studs to signify dive times. It was also capable of withstanding depths of up to 200 meters and an impressive eight-day power reserve, minimizing the frequency of having to wind it.

The first Panerai watches were supplied by Rolex in 1936, although they did not have the distinctive half-moon crown guards that are now associate with Panerai. They resembled older Rolex. The latest Panerai Reference 3646 was the first Panerai to feature the trademark 3,6,9,12 Panerai Radiomir dial developed by Rolex. (The prototype had solid bars at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions, as well as dots at the other hour markers.) The watch’s Radiomir name applied to the Radium material used to illuminate the hands and dial in the dark. Radium was used into the 1950s by watchmakers. Radium is a highly radioactive element that was famously discovered to have caused many female factory workers’ deaths.

Panerai and Rolex later introduced the crown guard to fix the burly dive watches’ only fundamental flaw. They had to be wound manually every day, and the gasket that kept the crown watertight wore out easily with use. The crown guard kept the seal snug and stable while also making the watch more waterproof. The later versions with crown guards were only produced in limited quantities (300), and today all original WWII-era Panerai watches are extremely valuable and collectible.

Panerai watches have illuminated the ocean’s deepest corners, assisting Italian Navy Frogmen on their underwater missions during World War II, and have remained a military secret until recently. On the 19th of December 1941, Italian Navy divers from the X Flottiglia MAS carried out what is known as the Raid on Alexandria. Six Italian frogmen – two per torpedo – straddled their seven-meter-long submersible torpedoes like underwater motorcycle drivers and single-handedly disabled the British battleships HMS Valiant and HMS Queen Elizabeth as the nearby Norwegian tanker Sagona, and nearly changed the course of the war. This new type of warfare scared the crap out of the Royal Navy.

What they didn’t know at the time was that attack was part of the elite 10th Light Flottila, whose underwater missions wreaked havoc in Alexandria and other Mediterranean objectives. The Italian Navy fleet, led by Fascist dictator Il Duce, was unable to match the British fleet’s size and had to rely on its commando of stealth divers. Between 1940 and 1943, these human torpedoes have performed around 25 missions in the Mediterranean. The commando was nicknamed the Floating Trojan Horse after an assault in Gibraltar’s waters. It was one of the most successful special operations groups in history, with a deadly reputation for its clandestine underwater torpedo operations. Winston Churchill remembered the deadly effectiveness of the “Italians in peculiar diving suits” who had managed to mount limpet bombs to the hulls of Britain’s battleships “with exceptional bravery and ingenuity” in a secret war speech given to a closed House of Commons in April 1942. “One cannot but respect the cold bravery and enterprise of these Italians,” even Admiral Cunningham had to admit.

The divers would direct their explosive cargo to the identified target and remove the delayed action limpet mines from the front of the pig and mount them to the hull of the battleships, using specially built Italian submersible torpedoes known as Siluri a Lenta Corsa (slow-moving torpedoes) but nicknamed pigs due to their poor and slow handling. In the Alexandria Raid case, the divers had to navigate metal nets erected by the British to prevent them from entering the harbor. The frogmen depend on novel luminous devices explicitly produced for the Italian Navy by a Florentine watchmaking company known as Panerai. Panerai was the sole supplier of measurement and precision underwater instruments, such as depth gauges, wrist compasses, detonators, and sights, as well as a substantial luminous waterproof wristwatch known as the Panerai Radiomir, which would gain a place in the iconography of watchmaking.

In 1949 Panerai switched to the less toxic element tritium for its watches and patented it under the Luminor trademark after the poisonous effects of radium were better known. The Panerai Luminor watch, launched in 1950, cemented the company’s reputation as a competent diver’s watchmaker. The huge crown-protecting bridge with a lever to improve the watch’s waterproof properties – something the Luminor family still bears today – was significantly different from the Radiomir model. In the late 1950s, Rolex sold their last watches to Panerai, who sold them to the Egyptian Navy. The Egyptian Navy commissioned a watch known as L’Egiziano in 1956 after reading about these exceptional Panerai watches. It’s an understatement to call this watch big. A large 60mm case featured a unique rotating bezel with four studs to signify immersion periods – capable of withstanding depths of up to 200 meters – and an impressive eight-day power reserve, minimizing the frequency of winding operations. This huge diving companion had a small second’s counter on the dial at 9 o’clock, in addition to the crown-protecting rig.

Rolex was still selling Submariner watches and had little interest in selling dive watches or movements to a rival at the time. As a result, Panerai was still relatively unknown in the watch world in the mid-1990s. Each year, they only produced a small number of watches. But it all began with the Panerai watches of the 1930s and 1940s, which were the first purpose-built Rolex dive watches. So, if you can find a Panerai dive watch from WW2, scoop it up as it should be worth a lot of money. Not like send your kid to college money but maybe an excellent keg party.

Dive watches have come a long way; not only can they monitor your air pressure, but they can tell you when to come up and what your body temperature and heart rate are and can use different dive formulas if you like to tell you all that. SCUBAPROS’s new A2 watch is a full dive computer, waterproof 120m and can do all the above, and it looks cool. Yes, they have come a long way.