Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

USAF Parachute Riggers: One Ripcord at a Time

February 18th, 2020

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (AFNS) — The Air Force uses more than 20 types of parachutes to conduct personnel recovery, airdrops and asset insertion into combat zones. Knowing what type of parachute is required for each mission and verifying the safety of those parachutes is the job of a parachute rigger.

This responsibility on Camp Lemonnier is up to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment riggers, deployed from Moffett Federal Airfield, California.

“Being a rigger, everything we do has to be 100 percent,” said Tech. Sgt. Isaac Corniel, the 82nd ERQS AFE NCO in charge. “There is no room for mistakes. There’s no room for error. Their lives are in our hands. Even if we have a small twist in a line we want to make it straight, as it can mean someone’s life.”

Being deployed to Djibouti has allowed the 82nd ERQS AFE to train on real-world missions unlike any other training they can get at home station.

AFE riggers are required to pack a variety of chutes in a variety of conditions throughout the world to meet mission needs. The packing can take from 35 minutes to several hours to inspect and repack. Along with the complex quality control measures that must be performed.

“We just try to be the best that we can. We preach quality, quantity and efficiency,” Corniel said. “We are combined with a variety of military forces being deployed, so our guys get to train on more scenarios than they would at home.”

According to Corniel, being deployed to Africa has allowed the team to have hands-on experience with more airdrop missions, whereas back home they would only provide chutes for one or two drops a month. The AFE Airmen said they have grown their understanding on the job to make their deployment a success.

“The guys have been great. They all live up to the riggers creed; they know now what it is to be a rigger,” Corniel said. “We are a part of something special and we strive to keep the history of excellence between the pararescue teams and riggers.”

By SSgt Carlin Leslie , Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Parachuting | 2 Comments »

UA Hovr Machina Off Road

February 18th, 2020

If you’re looking for a go-fast hinging shoe, are worth a look.

Coming later this year, this model was created in conjunction with UA sponsored bowhunter Cameron Hanes. The color combination is Black with UA Barren camouflage accents and a Red sole.

Featuring a 4mm drop, the Machina Off Road features a UA Storm treated upper to repel water and Boa lacing system. The Vibram outsole incorporates their Mega Grip lug pattern and the HOVR technology utilizes their compression mesh Energy Web which contains and molds the foam to give back the energy you put in.

Posted in Boots | 6 Comments »

Gray Fox Strategic – Safariland UBL Belt Adapter

February 18th, 2020

Gray Fox Strategic’s Safariland UBL Belt Adapter works with Safariland’s 2″ and 2.25″ UBL making it able to accept other size belts from 1.5″ to 2″.

Installation is easy. Simply place the two wings in the UBL slots then with a bit of pressure pop the tab into the corresponding hole at the top of the UBL.

Offered in different widths.

2″ UBL adapter

2.25″ UBL adapter

Posted in Holsters | 6 Comments »

Blast From The Past – 215 Gear Visor

February 18th, 2020

Although we first mentioned the 215 Gear Visors ever a decade ago, they’re still available. Summer is still a few months off but it’s never too soon to get ready.

Offered in multiple colors and patterns.

www.215gearstore.com/hats

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | 2 Comments »

High Speed Gear Products Receive NTOA Recommendations

February 17th, 2020

SWANSBORO, N.C., Feb. 18, 2020 – High Speed Gear®, maker of Battle-Proven Tactical Gear™, recently received nine product recommendations in the National Tactical Officers Association’s “Member Tested and Recommended” program.

Select law enforcement officers thoroughly tested the Kydex® Tourniquet TACO® (4.74), Kydex Handcuff TACO (4.45), Operator Belt (4.55), Bleeder/Blowout Pouch (4.51), Double Decker® TACO – Covered (4.03), Mag-Net Dump Pouch V2 (4.46), Gas Mask Pouch V2 (4.41), Duty Flash Bang TACO (4.25), and the Ambidextrous Multipurpose Pouch (4.46) and rated them in the MTR’s two highest tiers. Each product was evaluated by four officers and graded on a variety of categories, including design, performance, quality, durability and versatility, with each group of officers’ scores averaged into the ratings listed above.

The MTR program ranks products as “standard” (rating from 3.00 to 3.99), “silver” (from 4.00 to 4.49) and “gold” (from 4.50 to 5.00). NTOA members can view the full reviews and scores in the Member Tested and Recommended database.

“I use this belt by running the Velcro® belt through my belt loops and then attaching the Operator Belt on top of it,” said an officer who rated the Operator Belt an overall 4.94. “It rides snugly and is very comfortable. The COBRA D-ring buckle is very sturdy and is overkill (in a good way). For those who like a low-profile belt, this is really good and is the best such belt I have tried. I intend to use it for general day-to-day investigative work and will keep my padded belt for tactical situations.

“The Bleeder/Blowout Pouch is another item that I have added to my kit,” stated one officer, who gave the Bleeder a perfect 5.00 rating. “I use the blowout pouch in conjunction with an IFAK and the Kydex Tourniquet Pouch. I really like being able to have my shears secured and easily accessible and having a place designed to hold them. You can mount this on a belt system or on your MOLLE gear, making it a must have in my opinion for anyone needing to carry medical supplies. I can always find a use for this pouch no matter what the task is.”

Every HSGI® product submitted to the MTR for review not only passed for recommendation but also ranked highly. Additionally, Comp-Tac®, a division of HSGI, also received product recommendations from the MTR program, which will be announced shortly.

“We are incredibly honored to have so many products rated so highly by our law enforcement officers,” said Allison Mitchum, HSGI director of sales and marketing. “We strive to create the best gear possible for our customers and are privileged to serve so many who serve.”

Posted in Advertiser, LE, Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on High Speed Gear Products Receive NTOA Recommendations

ADS Hurlburt Field Warfighter Expo

February 17th, 2020

The ADS will be held on March 3, 2020 from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at the The Soundside Club located at 107 Thursday Drive, Hurlburt Field, FL 32544. They’ll have over 60 vendors on hand with the latest in equipping solutions.

To register, visit events.adsinc.com.

Hurlburt Field Warfighter Expo is not open to the general public.

Qualified attendees include active duty military, federal, state and local government agencies, law enforcement, and first responders. Military and government attendees must present official government-issued identification.

Posted in ADS, Advertiser, Warrior Expo | Comments Off on ADS Hurlburt Field Warfighter Expo

Eighth Order Updated Photos

February 17th, 2020

There were some complaints about photos when we recently showed Veteran-owned small business Eighth Order’s Gray label line of dress shirts. They listened and shot new ones. Here they are.

Available in four base colors with camouflage piping.

Order yours at www.eighthorder.com.

Posted in Clothing, Veterans | 7 Comments »

Osprey New Vanguard 282 – Combat Vehicles of Russia’s Special Forces

February 17th, 2020

The upcoming “Combat Vehicles of Russia’s Special Forces” from Osprey Publications will feature Spetznaz, Airborne, arctic and interior troops vehicles. It is written by Professor Mark Galeotti.

These books are always excellent general references and I recommend them for any library.

Russian SOF are being outfitted with a combination of armored vehicles and light all terrain vehicles for mobility regardless of the environ they’ll be operating in.

The contents give you an idea of what will be covered.

Introduction
The Spetsnaz: Whatever They Need
The Airborne Troops: By Air and Land
The Naval Infantry: Finding Their Sea Legs
Specialised Forces: War and Peacekeeping
Security Forces: Hurricanes And Punishers
Prospects For The Future
Further Reading
Index

It seems they have changed recently the cover, with the new version seen above. This title is expected to be released on May 26, 2020.

Posted in International, Mobility, SOF | 1 Comment »