Based on the traditional Japanese Nata Tool, Bare Bones Living’s version features a full tang 12″ Stainless Steel blade and Walnut handle.
Clear brush, strip bark, plank wood, make kindling–all with one thoughtfully-crafted tool.
It’s sturdy at 2.25 lbs and comes with a waxed canvas sheath.
barebonesliving.com/products/japanese-nata-tool
DUKE FIELD, Fla. — A Citizen Air Commando wrestles to equip his night vision gear as he sets off into the desert of a foreign land. Another Citizen Air Commando monitors a screen in a dark room as she determines which life to take in the theater of conflict.
Reservists from Duke Field are all over the world performing unique missions, including some whose stories can never be told. None of these operations could be completed without a strong Operational Security program.
“We’re talking about how we protect our daily mission,” said Craig Robinson, the OPSEC program manager for the 919th Special Operations Wing. “A lot of people are so used to safeguarding classified information, they sometimes forget the unclassified but sensitive information they need to protect.”
OPSEC is a broad program encompassing logistical details about operations, such as troop movements for example, said Robinson. This information might not be classified, but it’s central to how we get our mission done. If an adversary became aware that we were moving troops from point A to point B, they could possibly hinder the operation.
“If you don’t protect OPSEC, the adversary could get that information and make a decision to act on it causing injury or death to our members,” said Senior Airman Kimberly Nelson, a radio frequency technician with the 919th Special Operations Communications Squadron. “It could also result in the mission just not happening.”
“I [often] work with cyber operations where all the information we use is important or critical,” said Nelson. “Giving out information that is critical to the mission would be considered an OPSEC violation. Just because you’re in the military or might be my friend doesn’t mean you have a need to know.”
One important OPSEC component that’s been highlighted by recent events is service-members social-media use, said Robinson. Voicing details or opinions about overseas military operations, even if it’s within the workcenter, can damage the overall mission. Airmen need to be careful about what they’re posting online. The same care needs to be taken with sharing photographs as well.
“I’ve seen my friends post pictures posing with planes and such,” said Robinson. “While it’s not classified, it’s about the overall scheme. By photographing sensitive information, we’re making folks an easy target for an adversary in a foreign country. So the less an adversary knows about our equipment, processes and personnel, the better.”
Nelson agreed and said keeping potential adversaries in the dark regarding current and future operations is the best approach.
“People don’t need to know the location where you’re deployed,” said Nelson. “They don’t need to see pictures of the equipment that you’re using because that’s no one else’s business.”
“I’ve heard stories of family members posting things about stuff,” said Nelson. “Airmen often tell their mom where they’re going, when they’re going there, what they’re doing and then what the deployed conditions are like. Then mom might post something such as, ‘I’m so proud of my Airman…he or she did this on this day. They’re coming back from overseas at this time.’ She’s being a mom and is excited, but she’s also giving out pertinent information.”
If you think that sensitive information has been released, contact your squadron’s OPSEC coordinator as soon as possible, said Robinson. That’s the focal point in each squadron that Airmen could go to if they think there’s an OPSEC problem.
“We have to be very careful when we share sensitive information,” said Robinson. “Practicing good OPSEC is the responsibility of every Airman. We all have to make sure we’re protecting details on our operations to ensure the mission goes according to plan.”
By Senior Airman Dylan Gentile, 919th Special Operations Wing
For Immediate Release
NEW YORK, N.Y.—January XX, 2020—Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”) announced today that it has been awarded a $5.4M contract by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center to develop Protected Communications for Manned-Unmanned Teams (MUM-T).
The Army envisions a next-generation Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) that can be networked with up to four unmanned Remote Combat Vehicles (RCVs) and their assorted sensor/weapons payloads – and, in turn, networked with the broader force and command structure.
For that to happen, these manned-unmanned teams will need a robust, secure, and high-throughput communications network.
“The Army wants RCVs that can be remotely operated in groups over very long distances, in cities, forests, and open terrain,” said Brian Soles, VP of Business Development for Persistent. “These manned-unmanned teams will also have to deal with the threat of enemy hacking and jamming.”
The MPU5 with its Wave Relay® MANET was previously selected by the Next Generation Combat Vehicle cross functional team (NGCV-CFT) and the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) as the MANET network of choice for RCV Phase 1 and has been under evaluation by the U.S. Army for over a year.
Persistent is a leader in the mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) domain. Its MPU5 forms a highly scalable, peer-to-peer network that does not rely on external communications infrastructure to operate or run through a vulnerable central node. The MPU5, which has already been deployed on a variety of unmanned platforms, has:
• An onboard Android™ computer, that hosts and runs command-and-control and situational awareness software;
• A 3×3 MIMO configuration with up to 10 watts of transmit power, providing a usable throughput exceeding 100 Mbps; and a
• Built-In HD Video Encoder/Decoder to distribute multiple real-time HD video feeds to team members on demand.
As part of its 14-month-long contract, Persistent is working with the C5ISR Center’s Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate to adapt the MPU5 to meet the anti-jam and cyber hardening demands of MUM-T operations.
“The application of the work done under this contract won’t be limited to vehicles,” Soles said. “The idea is to get these same hardened capabilities to dismounted soldiers, which will greatly enhance our ability to operate against more sophisticated adversaries.”
The development initiatives on this contract are already underway and will continue through 2020.
The XPD is a one-man inflatable pack raft which inflates in less than 3 minutes with the included Nano Pump.
It’s inflatable and seems suited to emergency use but the manufacturer claims it is also great for multi-day excursions on the water.
Offered in Red or Green.
Visit www.kickstarter.com for more details.
Brooksville, Florida – Adams Arms Holdings LLC is pleased to announce that Michael Halleron has joined Adams Arms as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Halleron will oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, and customer service. As VP of Sales and Marketing his initial focus will be on strategic sales plans to align with company goals, promoting sales growth, and customer satisfaction.
Michael comes to Adams with 20 years of experience in the firearms and firearm accessories industry in the Commercial, Law Enforcement and Military channels. He brings experience from multiple premium brands to the table, as well as, an established track record in increasing revenue and brand awareness. Michael’s career is multifaceted and includes being an independent rep, factory sales executive, two step distribution executive and past board member of the NASGW as well as the NSSF. He has also served on 3 NRA committees.
“We are thrilled to have Mike join our leadership team,” says Jason East, President, Adams Arms. “He brings amazing insight, leadership and energy to Adams Arms. Mike has a proven track record in the industry and understands the value that our products bring to the marketplace.”
“I am excited at the opportunity to grow the Adams Arms customer base and brand,” says Halleron. “Adams Arms offers a variety of high quality rifles, parts, piston kits and a new 9mm handgun. Their patented AR adjustable piston driven systems are second to none and offer clean, cool and reliable shooting.”
For more information about Adams Arms, the P-Series lineup, or other inquiries, email pr@adamsarms.net or visit www.AdamsArms.net.
T-Series Reticles Meet the Demanding Needs for Shooting and Hunting at Extended Ranges
White Plains, NY – February 18, 2020
ZEISS’ new ZMOA-T Series Reticles cater to hunters and shooters reaching out to longer distances for precise shot placement on distant targets, smaller targets, and smaller targets at longer distances. From the shooting range, to competition, to long-range open terrain hunting, the T-Series thin-line reticles offers an impeccably fast aiming solution and pinpoint accuracy.
The thin-line reticles are designed to cover the least amount of the target possible while maintaining sharp and easily visible lines that create a distinctive sight picture and aiming reference. This gives the shooter higher levels of confidence in all shots taken, no matter how far down range. Each hash mark represents one MOA spacing. MOA references are easily identified with even numbers placed adjacent to the main vertical and horizontal lines of the reticle for quick reference. The floating center point of aim allows for precise shot placement, and floating dots left and right of the vertical centerline allow for windage calls and confirmation of bullet impact without guesswork.
“These new reticles are what serious varmint hunters, long-range hunters and shooters asked for, and we could not be more thrilled with the outcome,” said Kyle Brown, Director of Marketing/Product – ZEISS Consumer Products for Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC. “These new second focal plane reticles eliminate the guesswork from long-range shooting and ultimately produces precise shot placement and more accurate groups. Having the ability to clearly see small targets, and hold precisely on target at high magnification is invaluable at longer ranges—this, matched with ZEISS superior glass and components makes for a best-in-class riflescope.”
The Conquest V4 4-16×44 model hosts the ZMOA-T30 reticle and the Conquest V4 6-24×50 model incorporates the ZMOAi-T20 illuminated reticle. With the illuminated ZMOAi-T20, only the center point of aim illuminates for ideal low-light reticle illumination management. The designation of “T20” and “T30” represents the MOA hash marks available below the horizontal centerline of the main reticle.
To learn more about ZEISS T-Series Reticles, please view the following videos:
ZEISS ZMOAi T20 Reticle Introduction and Overview
ZEISS ZMOA T30 Reticle Introduction and Overview
To find out more about ZEISS Sports Optics, please visit:
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY – February 17, 2020 – The Spirit of Blue Foundation is pleased to announce its first verified save of a law enforcement officer with equipment granted through its safety grant program. On June 11, 2019, Kentucky State Police Trooper Brad Martin was taking part in serving a warrant in Perry County, Kentucky when he was fired upon and struck in the thigh. Other troopers with him quickly got him to cover, applied a tourniquet and rushed him to a local medical center for treatment. The tourniquet, now part of each Kentucky State Police trooper’s uniform, had been issued to each trooper just months before as a result of the Spirit of Blue grant. Trooper Martin has made a full recovery and returned to duty weeks later, crediting his survival to his fellow troopers on the scene and the tourniquet that was applied.
The Combat Application Tourniquet from North American Rescue, carried in a RIGID Tourniquet Case with High Gloss finish from Eleven-10, was issued to every Trooper and Officer with Kentucky State Police in September 2018. The grant was made possible by sustaining sponsor Law Enforcement United, who has contributed to Spirit of Blue’s safety grant program since 2016.
Brenda Tiffany, mother of KSP Trooper Cameron Ponder who was lost in the line of duty in September 2015, advocated for the tourniquet grant and was instrumental in its being awarded. “Since the day I lost my son, I have looked for ways to help protect his brothers in Gray,” commented Tiffany. “I had no idea how those efforts were going to impact someone so close to Cameron.”
Trooper Martin graduated with the Kentucky State Police Cadet Class 92 in January 2015 and was a roommate with Trooper Ponder during their time at the academy. Out of that cadet class there have been two troopers lost in the line of duty – Trooper Eric Chrisman and Trooper Cameron Ponder. Trooper Martin was almost the third.
“On June 11, 2019 I was participating in a warrant service when I was shot in the left thigh. By the grace of God, I am still here today,” shared Trooper Martin. “The prompt application of the tourniquet and quick action by my fellow brothers played a major part in limiting the extent of my injury and my ability to recover.”
Trooper Dan Smoot assessed the wound while Trooper Josh Richardson applied the granted tourniquet. Trooper Chad Daniels helped the other two carry Trooper Martin to the patrol car used to transport Martin to the Hazard Appalachian Regional Medical Treatment Center. The quick and professional action of these three troopers ensured Trooper Martin survived the encounter.
“This feels like the moment that we have all been working toward,” said Ryan T. Smith, Executive Director of the Spirit of Blue. “We have one single mission, and that is to ensure officers have access to the safety equipment they need to protect themselves or survive a dangerous encounter. To see this trooper’s life saved as a result of a piece of equipment we granted is overwhelming.”
Officer Down Memorial Page reported 135 law enforcement officers lost their lives in 2019. On average, 150 officers are lost in the line of duty annually. 47 of those deaths were firearm related, which was the leading cause of officer deaths that year. The reality of these statistics, and the increasing number of underfunded law enforcement agencies across the country, fuel the Spirit of Blue safety grant initiative.
The Spirit of Blue Foundation actively encourages the public at large to honor and appreciate law enforcement officers who serve and protect our communities. By supporting the Spirit of Blue Foundation, the public can make an impact in the lives of law enforcement officers every day. To learn more about the Spirit of Blue, or to become an annual member, visit www.spiritofblue.org.
Corte Madera, California, February 19, 2020 – Since its debut in 2018, the GiantMouse ACE Biblio has been extremely well received by knife enthusiasts worldwide. Given the tremendous success of the Biblio in canvas micarta, G10, and stonewashed titanium, GiantMouse is now pleased to offer this great little cutter in titanium anodized a beautiful blue.
The Biblio is an all-around EDC folder that looks good and performs even better, in the woods or in the city. A knife for both “Dives and Dance Halls” so to speak. The flat titanium scales on this model provide for a slimmer profile, allowing the knife to ride almost unnoticed in the pocket.
When using the Biblio you’ll realize how well it performs. Again, the ergonomics are spot on, and the nicely thin ground blade makes this a real slicer. By choosing the flat saber grind on this knife, they got a strong blade with a fine cutting edge that you’ll enjoy using. The use of Böhler M390 for blade steel makes the Biblio an exceptional cutting tool that will serve you well for years to come.
