OG has continued their ongoing collaboration with artist and knife maker Andrew Bawidamann with the 2024 Field Manual Camp Shirt. In a print festooned with diagrams and hints inspired by the US Army’s Survival Manual, it’s as practical as it is fashionable.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention OG’s collab with WRMFZY, the Southwest Organization Collection. It’s a great look for those seeking to break the “tactical” mold.
I don’t want to give up too many details but this tasty long sleeve, polo-style pullover is coming soon from FirstSpear.
Featuring performance fabrics, it will come in several cool color combos.
The latest product from S&S Precision is the MARK SB, with the SB denoting Signal Beacon.
The MARK SB fits between their current Manta Strobe and V-Lite in both capability and price. It comes in two versions, but both appear the same.
There’s a Tactical model featuring these functions:
IR Low
IR High
Green Overt
The Adventure model features:
4 preprogrammed modes
8 color options
No IR functionality
The rear of the MARK SB incorporates a removable PALS compatible mount.
OTB Boots is back in business with some styles that you’ll recognize.
Look for these two boots very soon along with water shoes.
Additionally, there are some other styles coming in the future.
SureFire gave us a sneak peek of a new shield light they are working on. No tech specs and onward on when it will be available.
Nashville, TN, January 2024 – Rooted in a deep heritage of military special operations and a comprehensive background in the technical apparel and gear industry, Tomahawk Performance strives to deliver layering systems to enable you to push beyond limits.
“Teaming up with GORE-TEX was essential to providing an innovative next generation of layering systems to enhance user performance, and safety in all weather conditions. With an ever-evolving geo-political conflict map where mission profiles continuously shift, we built Tomahawk Performance to also be more responsive to user requirements through an accelerated product design, development, and commercializing timeline,” said Marc Elbaz, Tomahawk Performance CEO.
GORE-TEX Professional is pleased to partner with manufacturers with the vision to protect the people who protect us, when it matters most. Combined with our best-in-class materials, we believe Tomahawk Performance will be well positioned to serve the SOF community with innovative product solutions.
Tomahawk Performance is proudly launching a series of innovative protective layers featuring best-in-class GORE materials over the coming months. More information to be released on tomahawkperformance.com or connect directly with the team to learn more: Contact@tomahawkperformance.com
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska — Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians who routinely defeat dangerous devices had to overcome a different kind of hazard during training in Alaska.
To enable the U.S. Army’s focus on regaining Arctic dominance, EOD techs from the Fort Drum, New York-based 760th Ordnance Company (EOD) recently traveled to an even colder climate to train together with 65th Ordnance Company (EOD) on Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
EOD technicians from the 760th EOD Company attended the Cold Weather Indoctrination Course in December where they learned to construct improvised shelters and fighting positions, to ruck in snowshoes and to cook in subzero temperatures.
Capt. John D. Velasquez from Bethesda, Maryland; 1st Lt. Jude A. McDowell from Downingtown, Pennsylvania; Sgt. 1st Class Justin E. Liller from Philadelphia; and Sgt. Andrew G. McCoy from Tallahassee, Florida, from the 760th EOD Company attended the training.
Velasquez, the commander of the 760th EOD Company, said the EOD techs also trained with explosives in colder temperatures.
“We spent two days on the demolition range comparing the impact of the cold on the explosive effects of demolition material,” said Velasquez, a graduate of American Military University with a sociology degree who has deployed to Afghanistan twice during his 14 years in the Army. “Tests were run with explosives that were both at ambient room temperature and exposed to the cold and comparisons were made between the two.”
Velasquez said the EOD technicians also tested different methods for dislodging stuck rounds from an M777 Howitzer barrel during freezing temperatures.
The 760th EOD Company enables military operations around the world and supports civil authorities at home. The company most recently deployed to Kuwait in 2021 and covers domestic response missions across the northeastern United States.
The 760th EOD Company is part of the 192nd EOD Battalion, 52nd EOD Group and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, the U.S. military’s premier deployable and multifunctional CBRNE formation.
Soldiers and Army civilians from 20th CBRNE Command deploy from 19 bases in 16 states to take on the world’s most dangerous hazards.
On Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely, Alaska, the 65th EOD Company supports the 11th Airborne Division and organizations requiring EOD support while using the 870,000 acres of training land available in Alaska.
Capt. Stephen S. Goetz, the commander of the Fort Wainwright, Alaska-based 65th EOD Company, said this area includes Donnelly Training Area, Yukon Training Areas and Tanana Flats Training Areas. He added the 65th EOD Company also supports civilian and federal law enforcement across the northern half of Alaska.
“The 65th Ordnance Company (EOD) represents a very small portion of the Army garrisoned in Alaska but together we all face the same challenges presented by this harsh and austere environment,” said Goetz. “We are still working to source innovative solutions to the challenges presented and identifying ways to regain Arctic dominance.”
A native of El Paso, Texas, Goetz graduated from Texas A&M Corpus Christi with a biochemistry degree. He has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq during his 13 years in the Army.
To add teeth to the U.S. Army effort to regain Arctic dominance, the 11th Airborne Division was reactivated in June 2022.
The Alaska-based airborne division conducts expeditionary and multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific theater and stays ready decisively defeat any adversary in extreme cold weather on mountainous, high-latitude and high-altitude terrain during large-scale combat operations.
Goetz said the 11th Airborne Division has been spearheading many new ideas and the 65th EOD Company is focused on explosive effects, render safe techniques and survival in small teams.
Many new challenges come with the harsh and remote operational environment, said Goetz.
“Batteries do not hold a charge rendering some equipment useless, ordinary drinking water freezes and puts you at risk of dehydration, unique rations must be used, weapons require different lubrication, rubber and seals in vehicles become brittle leading to non-mission capable vehicles, limited daylight affects operations and the physical wellbeing of personnel and EOD tactics, techniques and procedures must be modified based on the extreme cold,” said Goetz. “Everything takes longer and you must have a backup plan for everything that you do.”
Training with other EOD units helps to strengthen everyone involved, said Goetz.
“Working with another organization is always better,” said Goetz. “You can share ideas, build camaraderie, and realize other organizations share the same problem sets.”
“Compared to any installation in the lower 48, Fort Wainwright is not easily accessible,” said Goetz. “The highlight of the training with the 760th Ordnance Company (EOD) was working hand-in-hand with EOD brothers and sisters, shivering together, training to build skillsets and doing things that no one else gets to experience.”
By Walter T. Ham IV
UNITY™ Tactical, a designer of components that integrate tactical systems and optimize the human factor, unveiled the market’s first integrated 4X magnifier at SHOT Show 2024. The FAST™ FTC 4X brings the magnifier up to the established FAST height of a 2.26″ optical centerline from the rail. Integrating the mount with the optic shaves weight, increases strength and ensures streamlined functionality with no occlusion of the primary optic when stowed.
“Since launching our FAST line in 2019 we’ve aimed to expand the optic compatibility of our mounts so that discerning professionals and enthusiasts alike can benefit from an ergonomically correct heads-up posture,” said Mike Roth, vice president of business development.
Designed for use with a red dot optic mounted at the same height, the FAST FTC 4X provides ultimate picture clarity, utilizing the dot in the primary optic as the aiming reticle. This allows the shooter to quickly shift between non-magnified (stowed) and magnified (deployed). The magnifier can be mounted on multiple weapons platforms behind a red dot sight or used as a hand-held monocular.
The optical glass provides a clear and durable sighting solution while UNITY’s FTC (flip-to-center) technology allows for easy stowage when not in use. The magnifier has a field of view at 100 yards of 30.1 feet or 9.2 meters. Eye relief is 2.6 inches or 67 mm.
“We’ve built an optic of exceptional quality that comes standard with our industry-leading FTC technology, which reduces size, weight and cost by eliminating the need to purchase a separate optic and mount,” said Trent Zimmer, founder and president of UNITY Tactical. “This brings even more options to the customers of our FAST line. The FAST FTC 4X expands capability within the traditional 3x footprint all the while providing near-zero occlusion when paired with FAST height optics.”
The FAST FTC 4X will come standard in black with a FAST QD Lever and will be available for purchase in 2024. It is on display for the first time at the UNITY Tactical booth #61503 in the law enforcement ballrooms at SHOT Show 2024 now through Friday.
