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SHOT Show 22 – Blast Proof Soft Cooler by Blackbridge Defense

January 24th, 2022

We’ve previously mentioned Blackbridge Defense’s weapon mounts during our AUSA coverage. They’ve expanded their offerings with the Blast Proof Soft Cooler which was designed to prevent water bottles from exploding during IED blasts. In addition to up to 30 water bottles, it will also accept MREs, 5 Gallon Jerry Cans and the High Stress Collapsible Water Bag 5 Gallon bladder.

It’s designed to keep ice for up to 56 hours. I took this photo at about 3PM on the last day of SHOT Show in a room that was around 70 Deg F. The ice was still whole and the bag had been opened numerous times during the day to show the interior. Its going to keep your stuff cool. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to blow it up.

Blackbridge Defense products are available for agency and unit purchase through ADS, Inc.

Posted in ADS, Load Carrying, Medical, SHOT Show | 2 Comments »

SHOT Show 22 – TNVC Exclusive Woodland Ops-Core FAST SF Ballistic Helmet

January 24th, 2022

TNVC is the exclusive commercial distributor for the Ops-Core FAST SF Ballistic Helmet in Woodland Camo.

More products are coming in Woodland as well, like an OTTE Gear Helmet Bag with a distinctive, high-vis TNVC green lining.

To learn more, be sure to tune into vSHOTT, February 8-10.

Posted in Advertiser, Camo, Helmets, SHOT Show | 2 Comments »

SHOT Show 22 – Geissele Automatics GFR in 6mm ARC

January 24th, 2022

Geissele Automatics launched their GFR in 6mm ARC. Barrel lengths will be 14.5″, 16″, 18″, and 20″ Stratomatch.

They’ve also introduced two muzzle devices.

Above is now their standard muzzle device and below is the Swavvy Muzzle Brake.

Posted in SHOT Show, Weapon Accessories, weapons | 6 Comments »

3rd ID Collaborates with Cadets at Inaugural Marne Innovation Workshop

January 24th, 2022

ATLANTA — Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division participated in the first Marne Innovation Workshop at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Jan. 6-9, 2022. The workshop is a collaborative event that included participants from the Army ROTC program at Georgia Tech, the United States Military Academy and the 75th Innovation Command.

“The Marne Innovation Workshop is the first opportunity for 3rd ID to partner with the Georgia Institute of Technology, and its intent is to solve today’s problems with today’s technology,” said Capt. Ben McFarlin, deputy innovations officer for 3rd ID.

Recently, 3rd ID Soldiers generated a list of challenges which were curated from feedback and survey results received from across the Division. Georgia Tech students and USMA cadets then selected a set of challenges from this list.

Groups of cadets and students worked with Soldiers during the four-day workshop to begin developing ideas and prototypes to solve the challenges brought forward by 3rd ID. The teams will continue to work together over the next six months to further hone their ideas.

The 3rd ID is currently on a modernization path that includes new equipment, weapons and vehicles across the division. The Marne Innovation Workshop complements this modernization push by focusing on enhancing and broadening its Soldiers intellectually through new industry and academic partnerships, and in new directions for problems.

“The investments that we make in people will pay off in the long run,” said Brig. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the deputy commanding general of maneuver for 3rd ID. “I hope our Soldiers realize that they don’t have to accept barriers to their good ideas; if they have a good idea, there is a way and a path to put together a team and work on it.”

Innovation fosters a culture of development for Soldiers by giving them technical skills learned through education. It also makes their units more efficient and lethal by giving time back to warfighters to devote to readiness. Those benefits contribute to any mission the Marne Division receives, whether it’s deploying, conducting garrison operations, or modernizing the force.

Although the cadets, students and Soldiers who met during the Marne Innovation Workshop are geographically dispersed, they will remain in contact over as they collaborate to develop solutions to problems faced by 3rd ID Soldiers.

By SPC Daniel Thompson

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on 3rd ID Collaborates with Cadets at Inaugural Marne Innovation Workshop

Fire Lite Fuel Free Lighter

January 23rd, 2022

The Fire Lite Fuel Free Lighter from Survive Outdoors Longer is a weatherproof electric lighter.

This Dual Arc Plasma Lighter can be charged via USB and includes a 100 lumen LED out the other end. It offers about 45 seven second uses per charge. The LED also includes strobe function.

Posted in Gadgets | 4 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Mesh Bags

January 23rd, 2022

Mesh Gear Bags are handy when it comes to carrying wet gear. They can be used to take everything from masks and fins to wet and sanding wetsuits or cammies. A mesh bag can hold all of your wet gear and allows you to raise them quickly. You can rinse and dry your gear without taking it out of the bag because mesh bags allow water to drain rapidly and air to flow thru. Mesh bags are an excellent choice for transporting your gear to and from the dive site, as well as carrying it when there is limited room. SCUBAPRO makes a few different mess bags. I am going to start with the big one and work my way down.

The SCUBAPRO MESH ‘N ROLL takes the mesh bag concept to the next level by adding a top pull handle and heavy-duty off-road style wheels, so now you can roll your gear down to the dive site. The MESH ‘N ROLL is built with heavy-duty coated mesh fabric that is lightweight and very durable. The main compartment holds a lot of gear and closes with a YKK saltwater-resistant double slider zipper which is U-shaped, allowing the bag to open wide for easy packing. The mesh weave allows for lots of air circulation, which helps eliminate odors and control mildew when storing gear between trips. This bag is also great for putting your dirty gear and letting it dry out. So, if you are working with a partner force, you can lock the bag and help keep honest people honest. Lastly, it can be rolled up for smaller storage.

The SCUBAPRO Mesh Sack is a lightweight nylon mesh backpack. Able to hold a complete gear set, this backpack is the perfect carryall for your dive gear. The bag opening is secured with a top rope fitted with a sliding, spring-loaded button closure. It has a main compartment and a front exterior pocket. The main compartment is used to handle the larger gear, while the outer pocket can stow your smaller accessories. The bag also features backpack straps for easy transport or carriage of the bag while on the go.

Carry your weight safely and with ease by loading them into the Weight 7 Bag. Built with double webbing encircles the entire bag for added strength and joins to form a padded top grab handle. It also makes a great toiletry/ shower bag. It includes an additional coated mesh for quick drying. YKK double-slider zipper U-shaped opening makes it easy to access the main compartment.

This high-quality, padded Mask bag has a robust nylon-polyester material. The tough fabric protects the mask from damage when traveling and keeps it safe and clean for your next dive trip. It is designed to hold your essentials and includes two Velcro straps on the back for attaching your snorkel.

The SCUBAPRO Duffel Mesh Bag is a perfect duffel-style dive bag made from durable nylon mesh that lets water drain easily. Roomy enough and strong enough for a complete gear set, it is still lightweight and folds easily for storage. It is an ideal gear-hauler for liveaboard use or for carrying dive suits separately. Top-loading U-shaped opening makes it easy to load gear. This bag is great because it can be used for more than just diving. It makes a great laundry bag for use when deployed or to leave in your locker at the team. It is great for putting all your gear in so you can raise it all at once. It is designed to allow for optimum packing flexibility. When you’re ready to rinse your equipment after a day of diving or a day where all your equipment is sandy and muddy, drop the entire bag in the rinse tank and hang up to dry

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime | Comments Off on SCUBAPRO Sunday – Mesh Bags

Shear Shingle

January 23rd, 2022

The Shear Shingle from Canada’s Aussie Peelback is a way to store your EMT shears sandwiched between a Velcro backed shingle and your armor carrier.

The shears are held fast with a simple Velcro strap. Offered in Black and Tan.

www.aussiepeelback.com/product-page/shear-shingle

Posted in Load Carrying, Medical | Comments Off on Shear Shingle

AFIMSC Prioritizes Diversity, Inclusion for EOD Physical Fitness Test

January 23rd, 2022

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is leading the postpartum health guidance revisions for the upcoming explosive ordnance disposal Airmen-specific physical fitness test policy.

“We’re taking into account the mother’s needs while still keeping to the higher standard for the career field’s physical demands,” said Master Sgt. John Johnson, AFIMSC’s Installation Support EOD Program resource analyst. “We went right to the source and invited six EOD mother-Airmen to participate in a postpartum working group to develop courses of action and recommendations.”

Johnson and his team were given the charge to write the guidance for the career field’s operationally relevant Tier 2 PFT, which unlike the Tier 1 test is more physically demanding and independent of age and gender.

“This test will be more difficult than the standard Air Force test, so we wanted to make sure the policy gives our EOD mother-Airmen the correct amount of time to heal after giving birth,” Johnson said. “We don’t want them to rush back in and get hurt. We’re looking at the longevity of their careers and we’re here to see what we can do to help.”

Women’s health professionals were also present at the working group.

“Women make up 20% of the Air Force, so it’s important to ensure that we have policies in place that support them in their careers, as well as support them in their abilities to plan their families,” said Lt. Col. Larissa Weir, chief women’s health consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General. “Postpartum care for all women in general is evolving. We used to think the postpartum period was the first six weeks after the baby was born and then you go see the doctor to get the blessing that you were good to go. That’s not the case. For the first 12 months, there are continuous changes: hormonal, physiologic, and anatomic, … so postpartum care needs to be more comprehensive.

“Women in EOD have a special mission and more stringent requirements, so in order for the career field to be mission ready, we need to have these discussions and ensure our policies also evolve and are inclusive,” Weir said.

There are currently 37 women in the approximately 1,200 active EOD career field.

“We’re an even smaller group of mothers in EOD, so it’s easy to forget about us,” said Master Sgt. Andrea Rasmussen, EOD equipment section chief, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. “I am six months postpartum myself and it’s been a challenge. I have medical issues pertaining to my postpartum and have even gone to the emergency room a few times. All this while trying to take care of myself, take care of my home, take care of my daughter, take care of my work and prepare for a physical fitness test.

“I want to remain fully qualified and continue to be an asset to my team,” Rasmussen said, “so I’m glad we’re here being heard and coming up with courses of action now as this new Tier-2 policy is being written.”

Members of the working group also decided to continue to collaborate and develop additional tools and guidance for postpartum EOD Airmen.

“This meeting made me and my male counterparts in attendance realize how little we know about postpartum care in the EOD community,” Johnson said. “Outside of the policy, one of our go-do’s will be to put together a postpartum playbook and share it on our EOD SharePoint site. It’ll be a compilation of all the information the medical professionals shared with us today and other highlights in our discussion.”

The next steps for Johnson and his team will be to write the courses of action decided by the group, which include a proposed extension to the current Tier 1 postpartum delay, and add recommendations for related care. The draft of the Tier 2 test policy will then be sent to Headquarters Air Force for approval.

“I’m glad we have leadership who is willing to listen and willing to address issues that they may not be familiar with,” Rasmussen said. “That kind of support is paramount for not only women experiencing postpartum but women in general across the Air and Space Forces.”

By Malcolm McClendon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, EOD, For the Ladies, Guest Post | 15 Comments »