The Dutch Army has awarded Israel’s Elbit System a two-year contract worth $65 million for additional soldier systems items.
As prime vendor for the Dutch VOSS (Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaat Systeem) or Improved Operational Soldier System program, Elbit Systems provides the Armed Forces of the Netherlands with body armor, load carriage, man-pack E-LynX Software Defined Radio systems, RAPTOR wearable computing units, and Command and Control capabilities.
Today we are taking a look at another item in the FirstSpear American merino wool series. We started off with the lightest base layer package, ACM BASE 100, and we have since moved into the ACM MID 400 weight.
This package is particularly unique because it is double layer fabric, not a blend. Constructed from a fine polyester and merino wool, this material combo will quickly wick away moisture from the body and transfer it into the absorbent wool layer. This allows the poly layer to dry quickly and avoid the typical stink found in 100% synthetic apparel.
FirstSpear uses ACM MID 400 in several items, the Mid Shirt we saw several weeks ago and Today we are getting a look at the Hoodlum Hoodie. The Hoodie features a full zip front, thumb holes, low profile hood, and two zippered pockets in the front. The Hoodlum Hoodie is an exceptional standalone item that can be worn all its own or if you find yourself in particularly cold temps use it as mid layer to really keep you warm.
100% American Made with American Merino Wool. Available in black, charcoal, commando, manatee grey, and sand. Check out all of FirstSpear’s USA Merino wool Line Here.
In this episode, Kerry Davis discusses the importance of not only carrying an IFAK, but having solid medical training.
Kerry Davis founder of Dark Angel Medical, has been taking care of people more than half of his adult life. Born and raised in Mississippi, he joined the US Air Force in 1991 and trained as a medic, working in an ER, then moving on to special duty with the only Tac Evac unit in the active USAF. In that station he was a flight medic and an Aircrew Training instructor.
That duty station gave Kerry the opportunity to go to the U.S. Army’s Airborne school and work with Airborne units at Pope AFB and Ft. Bragg. After leaving North Carolina, he moved to Maxwell AFB, AL, where he instructed several thousand new Air Force officers at Officer Training School’s Medical Readiness Indoctrination Course at Gunter AFB Annex over a two and a half year period.
Kerry also taught, during his tenure in the USAF, ACLS, PALS, BCLS and Paramedic Cardiology. During that time he worked as a paramedic and after separation from the Air Force, he completed his training and certification as an RN. He has now been in the Critical Care and ER field since 2003. He separated from the Reserves in 2007. He is an avid shooter and has instructed with Magpul Dynamics. Today he is currently an adjunct instructor with SIG Sauer Academy where he teaches weapons manipulation as well as “Bullets and Bandages”.
The U.S. Department of Defense separately updated its building standards to the most recent international building codes
Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, the Senate approved the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020, clearing the legislation for the President’s expected signature. The measure, which authorizes appropriations for the upcoming year and sets forth policies for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) programs, requires that privatized military housing meet or exceed requirements set by a nationally recognized, consensus-based, model property maintenance code, such as the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), by February 1, 2021.
The IPMC, developed by the International Code Council, regulates the minimum maintenance requirements for existing buildings and establishes minimum standards for basic equipment, light, ventilation, heating, sanitation and fire safety. It is used or adopted in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The maintenance code requirement is part of a broader effort within the NDAA to improve the oversight, accountability, management, and, most importantly, quality of privatized military housing following several reports detailing substandard conditions.
Separately, DOD recently updated its building code, the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), to use the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code and 2018 International Plumbing Code. The UFC had previously required using the 2015 versions of these codes. The UFC establishes common requirements for DOD construction activities, and addresses safety, functionality and durability.
“Setting maintenance requirements for military housing will help ensure our service members and their families are afforded access to the well-built, well-maintained, housing they deserve,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “The Code Council very much appreciates the leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees in addressing these issues. By working to bring uniformity in building standards to our military housing and other Department of Defense facilities, we are helping to contribute toward the safety of our servicemen and women.”
To view the 2020 NDAA Conference Report, please click here. The UFC Building Code and UFC Plumbing Systems requirements are available here and here, respectively..
Black Diamond Equipment has released a new line of approach shoes. The Mission LT is one of several models unveiled at last year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.
It is intended for speed approaches, featuring a sock-like, bootie fit, that’s reinforced with a webbing cinch system. The Mission LT features their signature EnduroKnit, which is a one-piece, ultra-breathable upper for lasting temperature regulation that’s hyper-durable for season after season of abuse. A tuned EVA midsole provides ample stiffness for technical precision, while remaining comfortable and the nylon rock plate provides protection. The Mission LT’s high-performance BlackLabel-Mountain rubber is super sticky, allowing you to grip through technical moves on 5th class terrain with ease, and the rubber toe protection gives the Mission LT added security. Multiple webbing loops give you plenty of tagging and stowing options when the approach ends and the hard climbing begins.
Features:
• EnduroKnit is a one piece breathable, durable knit upper
• BlackLabel-Mountain rubber is high performance sticky rubber
• Rubber toe protection
• Sock-like bootie fit
• Nylon rock plate for protection
• Tuned EVA midsole for stiffness and comfort
• Webbing reinforced fit system
• Multiple webbing loops for various tagging options
www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/mission-lt-approach-shoes-mens
Introducing the all-new, limited-run EDC Coin Purse.
The purpose of the EDC Coin Purse is to carry currency to go everywhere…places other things can’t go. When we say “everywhere,” we mean everywhere. We’ve flown over 75,000 miles on commercial airlines in the United States to places like California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii. You get the idea.
The EDC Coin Purse is built from the exact same unique laser-cut composite laminate that we use to build the all-new, cutting-edge IcePlate Carrier Exoskeleton (ICE) (coming soon). More than 14x stronger than steel for the same weight with a tensile strength of more than 600 pounds, the EDC Coin Purse is hydrophobic, cut and abrasion resistant.
That is why the EDC Coin Purse is stitched and assembled in the same factory as most of the mission-critical free fall parachute equipment used by the U.S. Military. The EDC Coin Purse has your back. Everywhere.
100% Made in USA from American materials.
Coming to you at SHOT Show, the 2020 version of the SSD Keep Calm and Return Fire patch.
Founded by British Special Forces Veterans, Thrudark has been designing and manufacturing specialist clothing. They’ve just released two new pieces.
The SF Breach jacket is a heavy duty cold weather down jacket. Toughened with Cordura® reinforcements on the shoulders and elbows, providing enduring abrasion resistance. A lightweight and water resistant outer shell delivers further tear resistance. Loaded with 100% naturally hydrophobic Italian down providing ultimate warmth to weight ratio throughout, allowing you to concentrate on what matters most: the task at hand. Don’t be left out in the cold …
The SF Guerrilla Fleece has evolved through multiple product developments since the dawn of ThruDark. It has been meticulously scrutinised through several development and testing stages. An irregular twist on a heavy fleece, providing extreme high warmth utilising POLARTEC® HIGH LOFT™ technology. It’s reversible design reveals hard wearing Cordura® elbow and shoulder panels for enhanced durability. A garment for the bleakest cold weather conditions it transforms what is expected of a conventional fleece. A strategic sabotage of the ordinary … prepare for the worst.
