Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

In Memoriam – MG John K. Singlaub (USA, Ret)

January 30th, 2022

Yesterday, Retired Army Major General John K. Singlaub passed away at the age of 100. He was a member of World War Two’s Office of Strategic Services, founding member of the Central Intelligence Agency and a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment.

John K. Singlaub was recruited by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in November 1943. As part of JEDBURGH Team JAMES, he jumped into France on 11 August 1944 to arm and direct the French resistance. Sent to China, as the commander of the PIGEON Mission, he jumped onto Hainan Island on 27 August 1945 to rescue Dutch and Australian Prisoners of War. As one of a handful of Special Operations Branch personnel retained the Strategic Services Unit (successor to the OSS), Singlaub stayed in China to report on the Civil War.

Singlaub was again involved in special operations when he was an instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia and helped to establish the Ranger Training Center in 1950. He then had two tours in Korea, including one with the Central Intelligence Agency’s Joint Advisory Commission, Korea (JACK).

Singlaub returned to special operations in from 1966-1968, when he commanded a joint unconventional warfare command, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG). Retiring in 1978, Major General Singlaub remained active in the Special Operations community and was recognized with the United States Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) Bull Simons award in 2011.

There’s no doubt that General Singlaub was one hell of a man, but the thing I respect him for the most is falling on his sword over the Carter Administration’s plan to pull all US troops out of South Korea which would have assuredly led to an invasion by the north. It led to his being relieved as Chief of Staff of U.S. forces in South Korea and subsequently his forced retirement.

An ardent anti-communist, he founded the Western Goals Foundation after his retirement.

His contributions to America’s security are myriad and some of his exploits can be read in his autobiography, “Hazardous Duty: An American Soldier In The Twentieth Century.”

America needs men like this. He will be missed.

May He Rest In Peace.

Posted in Admin | 7 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Go Sport Fin

January 30th, 2022

The SCUBAPRO Go Sport Fins has a boot fit fin design. As the name implies, the Go Sport Fin is designed for when you need a lightweight fin that still has a lot of power. Lightweight, comfortable, and durable, the Go Sport is the ideal fin for diving, surface swimming and light weight enough to be used for Over the Beach (OTB) or carried in the field and sued for river and stream crossings.

The Go Sport design combines the benefits of an open heel fin. The replaceable self-adjusting bungee heel strap allows for a versatile fit — one diver can wear multiple sizes. The strap also makes it easy to don and doff the fin, and it fits comfortably against a booted heel. While extremely comfortable, the Go Sport is also virtually indestructible. Its 100% Monprene construction avoids the problems of de-lamination, broken blades and torn foot pockets that tend to plague average thermoplastic fins. This enables the Go Sport to stand up to long-term, heavy-duty use.

When it comes to a premium lightweight fin, nothing compares to the Go family of fins. Integrating high quality with lightweight that translates into weight savings on the road, and comfort and ease of use in the water.

Shown with Matbock SCUBAPRO fin skins

The Go fin excels in strength, comfort, and convenience, but where it really shines is in kicking performance. The Go is built with a 25° pre-angled blade with a central power panel that provides longitudinal rigidity and creates a channeling effect. Power bars on the underside of the rails prevent over-flex; this helps maintain the optimum angle of attack under high load conditions. The result: you get a lightweight fin that delivers speed, power, stability and maneuverability with a minimum of effort.

Shown with Matbock SCUBAPRO fin skins

Being lightweight is always a plus when traveling, but so is compactness. They pack extremely well due to an innovative piggyback stack system. An interlocking tooth on one fin blade hooks into the second fin, and then the bungee strap from the second fin hooks the heel of the first fin into place. It’s a snug pairing that makes packing that much easier.

It is great for morning PTs or if you need a good smaller fin for swimming over the beach with a back and then you might have to carry your fins for use later during the operation.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime | Comments Off on SCUBAPRO Sunday – Go Sport Fin

Blackhawk Named Presenting Sponsor of 2022 Tactical Games

January 30th, 2022

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – January 28, 2022 – Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Tactical Games for 2022, supporting the games as they continue growing in the upcoming year.

Attracting some of the best professional and amateur tactical athletes nationwide, the Tactical Games have become a proving ground for the latest in cutting edge tactical gear. The games intense physical nature, including fitness challenges, obstacle courses and marksmanship tests, require efficient gear setups which prioritize firearm security, retention and accessibility, as well as comfort and light weight. All of which are pillars at the center of Blackhawk’s product designs.

“Blackhawk has been a trusted name within the military and law enforcement community for decades,” said Nick Thayer, Director of Marketing for Tactical Games. “Through their sponsorship of the Tactical Games, Blackhawk will now be able to showcase those same proven products and designs to a new audience of athletes who will see why the brand is a first choice for those seeking the very best, regardless of their profession.”

Blackhawk T-Series holsters with leg straps allow competitors to maintain proper holster position and security as they navigate unconventional obstacles. Endurance and speed while carrying heavy weight (especially plate carriers) is also critical, and Blackhawk’s Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear gives competitors some of the lightest weight gear in its class without sacrificing durability or modularity.

“The entire Blackhawk team is fired up to be sponsoring the Tactical Games this year,” said Justin Hoffman, Blackhawk product manager. “As a guy who’s personally competed in the Tactical Games to prove and abuse our gear, I can say that the intensity of these challenges lives up to the hype and a quality gear setup is crucial. The light weight of the Foundation Series Tac Nylon made carrying extra weight easier, and the T-Series gave me great firearm retention while still allowing me to draw quickly and engage targets.”

In addition to being this year’s presenting sponsor, Blackhawk is sponsoring tactical athlete Zach Rodman. Throughout the competition, Rodman will be running Blackhawk’s T-Series holster and new Foundation Series Tac Nylon suite of gear.

The Blackhawk T-Series continues to be trusted by more and more LE departments as their standard issue duty holster, and is continuously expanding with even more handgun fits and carry?options. Both in the U.S. and abroad, the T-Series has been?chosen?by more than 300 law enforcement agencies. Most recently, the?T-Series L3D holster?was selected by?both?the French Army and the Niedersachsen Police Department in Germany as their duty holsters?of choice.

Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear offers more modular capabilities, stronger construction and lighter weight than the typical ballistic nylon gear found on the market. At the series’ core is a durable 500D-1000D nylon laminate material and a low-profile, laser-cut design. This delivers one of the lightest plate carriers available (around one pound without armor) without sacrificing durability. This suite of tactical gear is designed for increased comfort and exceptional modularity, and in addition to plate carriers, it features a chest rig, MOLLE and first responder placards, MOLLE belts, magazine and utility pouches, and more.

The first of the Tactical Games’ nine competitions in 2022 takes place February 19-20 at the Meridian Public Safety Training Facility in Meridian, Mississippi. The series culminates November 5-6 at the Tactical Games National Championship at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Blackhawk Named Presenting Sponsor of 2022 Tactical Games

On This Date In Aviation History

January 30th, 2022

On this date in aviation history: January 29th 1964; USAF Major T. J. “King” Kong commander and pilot of a Strategic Air Command B-52 bomber was reported missing after being issued an alert status “Wing Attack Plan R” restricting all communications. However, Major Kong’s Statofortress onboard CRM 114 discriminator malfunctioned, thereby cutting off all communications with his aircraft. Major Kong’s B-52 was last reported near Soviet airspace.

He will always be remembered for his eloquent and inspirational words…

“Now, boys, we got three engines out; we got more holes in us than a horse trader’s mule; the radio’s gone and we’re leakin’ fuel, and if we’s flying any lower, why, we’d need sleigh bells on this thing. But we got one little bulge on them Rooskies, at this height, why, they might harpoon us but they dang sure ain’t gonna spot us on no radar screen….”

Major T. J. “King” Kong

Now let’s get this thing on the hump — we got some flyin’ to do.

Courtesy of www.Sierrahotel.net.

Posted in Aviation, Cold War, Morale | 3 Comments »

OR Snow Show 22 – Pak-Jak

January 29th, 2022

Pak-Jak was designed so that you could better regulate your temperature while wearing a pack by incorporating a zip-in removable panel at the back.

The jacket is insulated with Primaloft Gold. At the front it looks like a mild mannered puffy jacket, but the rear panel of the jacket can be configured with insulation, mesh, or left completely open and held together with straps.

Posted in Clothing, Outdoor Retailer | 17 Comments »

OR Snow Show 22 – PACT Kit

January 29th, 2022

The PACT Kit is a bathroom kit for the outdoors allowing you to dig, clean and restore.

There’s a trowel to dig your hole, hand sanitizer, and wipes. Finally, it comes with Mycelium tabs which break down organic and inorganic material at or below the surface of the ground.

pactoutdoors.com/pages/mycelium

Posted in Outdoor Retailer | Comments Off on OR Snow Show 22 – PACT Kit

OR Snow Show 22 – Outdoor Gear Recovery Decals

January 29th, 2022

Karmic Outdoors has introduced Outdoor Gear Recovery Decals which can be affixed to your gear to identify it for recovery in the event it is found by someone else and they report finding it. They have bag tags as well as reflective and non-reflective tags.